What Is a Minor in College?

This blog post explores the concept of a college minor. Adding a minor can influence your choice of college and offers both upsides and downsides when thinking about your larger college aspirations. While not for everyone, adding a minor can enhance your academic experience and career prospects, but also adds requirements for graduation. This post will ensure you understand what a minor is, the requirements involved, the purpose of a minor, and the pros and cons of adding a college minor.

Many students wrangle with the question of what to major in… But what about a minor in college? Many students may not think that much about a minor when applying to college, overlooking the potential benefits of a college minor.

So congratulations for checking out this post and learning what a minor in college is and if adding a minor is the right choice for you!

This post will answer any questions you have about what a college minor is, including:

• What is a minor in college?
• Do you need a minor?
• What does a college minor require?
• Do UK universities have minors?
• What’s the purpose of a minor?
• What are the pros and cons of adding a minor?
• How do you choose the right minor?
• What do Crimson strategists advise about adding and choosing a college minor?

Depending on your major, learning goals, and career goals, picking the right college minor can offer some meaningful advantages.

And, if choosing a minor makes sense for your circumstances, it may impact your college search and application strategies. Why? Because some school's offerings may stack up a bit differently if you decide to pursue a specific major-minor track, as opposed to pursuing only a major.

For this reason, it makes sense to learn more about what a minor is, the purpose of a minor and if pursuing a minor in college makes sense for your goals and interests.

What Is a Minor in College?

A minor in college is a secondary area of study you choose to specialize in but involves less courses than your major will require.

In other words, a minor is an area of specialization you do in addition to your major requiring fewer courses than your college major but enough courses to give you a meaningful academic foundation in the subject area you minor in.

Do You Get a Degree in Your Minor?

Your minor, and other academic concentrations or honors, should show on your college transcripts, but at most schools your diploma and degree will only reflect your major, but not a minor.

Remember, though, you still earn a minor by meeting credit requirements, so you can refer to a minor in job interviews and on job applications and resumes.

Can You Minor in any Subject?

In general, yes, students can choose the subject they want to minor in. Of course, your choices for a minor will depend on subjects offered. Most schools have a prescribed list of exactly which subjects offer a minor. The subjects you can pick from for a minor can vary significantly from one school to another.

Most universities offer a large number of majors and minors to choose from, but some universities offer many more options for minors than others.

And, just because a university offers a major in a specific subject doesn't mean students can add the same subject as a minor. For example, a school might allow students to major in political science or biology, but those subjects may not be included on the list of subjects you can pick for a minor.

If you want to know which subjects are available to add as a minor, look for that information on the school website or check with an admissions advisor or guidance counselor.

Do You Need a Minor?

No, you do not need a minor to earn a bachelor's degree or to qualify for most jobs.

Pursuing a minor is entirely optional and is only very rarely a formal requirement for any degree.

A minor is simply an option students can elect to add if they want to, offering a secondary area of academic focus that can complement your major and enhance your academic experience.

What Does a Minor in College Require?

In general, pursuing a minor in college means taking about 5 or 6 courses in the subject you’re minoring in. The number of course credits required for completing a minor is typically between 15 and 21, but that can vary by school.

• Number of credits (total) to graduate with a bachelor’s degree: typically 120 credits or more
• Number of credits required for your major: typically 30 to 36  credits
• Number of credits required for a minor: typically 15 to 21 credits

Can You Finish a Major + Minor in Four Years?

With the right course and scheduling flexibility and options, and good advanced planning, you typically should be able to complete a major + minor in four years.

Taking courses aligned with your minor instead of exploratory electives, and selecting general education courses that also apply to your minor are ways to boost the odds you can finish a major and minor in less time.

When asked about finishing a major-minor in four years, Crimson Strategist Tze Kwang Teo often tells students “it’s definitely doable, but can be a bit demanding.”

Teo says families should consider some of the following points or review these points and others like them with a college counselor or admissions officer or advisor:

• Do the Math: A bachelor’s degree usually requires 120 to 130 units. If you add an additional 18 to 21 units for a minor (approximately), that makes about 140 to 150 units total. Divide by 4 years: 40 to 50 units each year instead of 30. Doable, but demanding; more doable if you plan on taking one or two courses for a couple of your summer sessions!
• Map It Out: It's important to understand how many total units you need for your degree, and how many for your minor, including which specific courses you need and credits they give you. Also, some courses you need may not be offered every term. To plan well, you’ll want to see lay out a roadmap that's realistic and gets you over the finish line within four years.
• Don’t Forget Prerequisites: Be sure your plan includes getting up to speed on any prerequisites you'll need to satisfy in order to enroll in all the courses required for your major-minor combination.
• Get Input From Advisors: Getting input on your plan from a skilled admissions counselor or strategist, like those in the Crimson network, and later from a counselor where you're enrolled is crucial. This will ensure you’re well informed and making realistic plans and projections when it comes to workload, course availability, and credit requirements.

Many US students complete major-minor combinations within a four-year timeline, so it’s definitely possible, but it can depend on some factors out of your control — like ones related to specific academic offerings and options, prerequisites, and more. With careful planning and expert advice you’ll stand a better chance of success. For feedback about your college journey and how to be a top applicant, talk to a strategist.

Do Universities in the UK Offer Minors?

Theoretically, no. When you plan your course enrollment at a UK university, it won’t be guided by a “minor,” in the way it might in the US context. But within your major track, the flexibility some UK schools and programs offer will allow for interdisciplinary tracks akin to a college minor at a US university.

To find out more about this, we checked in with Lucy Baehren, a lead UK Admissions Strategist for Crimson Education. In the UK, says Baehren, you apply to a pre-determined degree course aligned with a specific code on UCAS (the UK common application platform).

This means there is no one structure in the UK, as all universities and courses are different. But, while some schools or degree tracks keep to a strictly prescribed course structure, there can be “optional modules” too. Sometimes these fall largely within the prescribed course of study, whereas other schools offer greater opportunities for interdisciplinary choices.

Here are some more concrete examples of how this looks at some prominent UK institutions:

• Cambridge has an ethos that encourages multidisciplinary study, with many tracks “forcing” students to enroll in modules across different subject areas. Helpful examples are Human Social Political Science (HSPS), Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS), and Natural Sciences. The multidisciplinary scope of these courses often aligns most closely with the major discipline, but some of the modules branch out into other disciplines, such as sociology, social anthropology, or psychology for the HSPS track.
• St. Andrews programs, like many Scottish degrees, run four years instead of the three, allowing opportunities to study or explore more options alongside your chosen major, unlike most three-year programs in England.

• Lancaster will in some cases allow students to start in one degree track and then switch to another in year two, incorporating your first-year courses into a single major or a joint major. Alternatively, you could continue with your major subject and add a minor subject from those you studied in your first year. But some programs at Lancaster are more restrictive, such as Architecture, Law, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Sports and Exercise Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and Biomedical Science.

• King's College London (KCL) offers some very flexible programs, which are growing in popularity in the UK and guided more by students’ interests. According to Lucy, “KCL as a few of these options, including their Liberal Arts degree, where students choose modules from Arts & Humanities Faculty and from selected subjects in the Social Science & Public Policy Faculty.”

These are only a few examples, illustrating some of the complexity and variety you’ll find in the UK, where a different degree structure and a wide variety of options inform your options for adding a “minor.”

If you’re looking for expert UK-specific guidance, reach out to one of our UK specialists for personalized feedback before taking your next steps.

What’s the Purpose of a Minor?

One of the most common questions students have is “should I pursue a minor, and what are the benefits?”

The answer largely depends on your individual goals, interests, and career aspirations.

Here are some more factors to consider when deciding if you want to commit time and energy to a college minor:

1. Career Prospects

Many students add minors to equip themselves for better career prospects, which makes sense given the diverse sets of skills most roles require in the 21st-century workplace.

For example, a marketing major may benefit from a business degree, but may also find a minor in psychology, communications, or graphic design very relevant for a specific career niche they’re interested in.

Likewise, a student majoring in engineering might choose a minor in environmental science to better understand the ecological impact of engineering projects.

2. Adding Academic Depth and Breadth

Adding a minor is also a path to more interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary learning. This approach can help you add a layer of breadth or a layer of specialization, depending on the major and minor combination you choose.

For example, a design major might elect to pursue a minor in figurative art or in art history as distinct ways of developing their understanding of esthetic principles they can use to broaden and deepen their insights in photography.

A student majoring in educational leadership may want to add a minor in organizational psychology in order to gain richer insights into how to effectively lead, grow, or reform educational organizations and systems, such as school districts or colleges.

3. Exploration and Enrichment

Some students add a minor simply because they have a strong interest in more than one subject. For example, they may have found it difficult to choose between two or three subjects they’re passionate about when selecting a major. Adding a minor is one way to help resolve this kind of dilemma.

Remember though, for more open-ended academic exploration, pursuing a minor may add more constraints than you want.

Crimson US Strategist Tze Kwang Teo likes to encourage students to consider adding a minor or pursue a double major to increase the benefits of of a college investment, especially considering the high cost of a degree from a top-ranked university:

I would never see myself as strat recommending anything less than a major-minor track, and I always, if I can, recommend my students seek double majors.

Remember, the benefits of a minor will really depend on your personal goals and what you want to get out of your college experience. And, while it’s hard to see the downside of adding a minor, it’s definitely worth taking stock of the pros and the cons as you weigh your own decision.

Biggest Pros and Cons of Adding Minors

Adding a minor has some fairly obvious pros. Adding a minor can enhance your resume, give you a second area of knowledge and skill, and boost your career prospects.

That said, it’s worth taking a wide-angle view of what you want from college, before going all in on the idea of pursuing a minor.

Here’s a list of crucial pros and cons students should consider before deciding to add a college minor:

Pros

• Skill Diversification: A minor can provide you with additional skills that are attractive to employers. For example, a journalism major with a minor in graphic design can offer both writing and visual content creation skills.
• Networking Opportunities: Pursuing a minor can introduce you to a new set of professors and peers, expanding your professional network.
• Specialized Knowledge: A minor can give you specialized knowledge that sets you apart from other candidates. For instance, a finance major with a minor in data analytics can bring valuable insights into financial data interpretation.

Cons

• Fewer Electives: Fulfilling credits required for a minor may require forfeiting other elective choices or exploratory coursework, limiting your choice of courses.
• More Course Requirements: Pursuing a minor can add complexity and stress to the task of course selection and navigating graduation requirements.
• Added Financial Costs: If completing a minor requires taking more courses than you would otherwise, this involves additional education expenses you may need to consider.

While there are often few obstacles to adding a minor, making it a compelling proposition for getting more out of your college investment, a minor is not ideal for all individuals. Officials at UC Berkeley highlight the potential cons of pursuing a minor this way:

It is valuable to note that students sometimes overestimate the value minors will have on future opportunities, [especially] if taking on a minor means you have to sacrifice hands-on opportunities like research or internships or study abroad…

As you can see, adding a minor is an attractive proposition overall, but if getting a minor entails too many sacrifices when it comes to other priorities, this could cancel out any potential upside.

How To Choose the Right Minor?

Every individual has personal goals, interests, and options to consider when choosing a minor. In some circumstances, choosing the right minor is as easy as 1-2-3. In other cases it takes more decision-making muscle.

Having trouble deciding on a major?...

Let’s say you had a hard time deciding whether to major in economics or public policy.

You decide a double major is not a realistic option, so you have to pick one of these as your major. Pursuing a minor could be an obvious way around an either/or choice: you can pursue both subjects and passions, picking one as your major, the other as your minor.

Interested in a specific career niche?...

Let’s say you want advanced knowledge in economics, but most of the popular economics concentrations (and career tracks) don’t interest you so much, such as private sector roles generally and banking, finance, because you’re aiming to work in public policy and the nonprofit sector.

Choosing economics as your major could still be a smart move, ensuring you’ll get a really strong foundation in the core concepts and professional lingo that goes with them. You’ll feel more on track, however, if you add a minor in public policy or public administration, positioning yourself for the career track you’re passionate about.

Here are some steps to guide students and families when choosing a minor:

1. Assess Your Interests and Strengths: Reflect on the subjects that genuinely interest you and where your strengths lie. A minor should be something you are passionate about, as this will make the additional coursework more enjoyable and rewarding.
2. Consider Your Career Goals: Think about how a minor can complement your major and enhance your career prospects. For example, if you are majoring in business, a minor in computer science could make you more competitive in the tech industry.
3. Research University Offerings: Not all universities offer the same minors. Make sure to check the list of available minors at your prospective or current university. Some schools may have unique programs that align perfectly with your interests and career goals.
4. Consult Academic Advisors: Academic advisors can provide valuable insights into how a minor can fit into your overall academic plan. They can help you understand the requirements and how to efficiently integrate a minor into your schedule.
5. Evaluate the Workload: Ensure that the minor you choose is manageable alongside your major. Some minors may require more intensive coursework, so it's important to balance your academic load to avoid burnout.

Remember, for many students it all comes down to tailoring your academic pathways to what you want to get out of your college experience.

Understanding Your Options

Understanding your options is also key to making the best decisions about a minor in college, which includes letting your goals inform your college journey.

US Admissions Strategist Tze Kwang Teo reminds students to start thinking early on about various major + minor tracks — to inform your school search, since different schools are likely to offer different options.

Teo offered these real examples to illustrate how options for major-minor tracks can differ from school to school:

• Cornell: Cornell no longer offers a double degree option, making a major + minor combination an appealing option.
• University of Michigan: At UMich, the Ross School of Business offers a business minor, creating an opportunity to pursue a major in Computer Science or Engineering while also equipping yourself with some business, marketing, and financing skills.
• USC: At USC, the Marshall School of Business and Viterbi School of Engineering offer something similar to a major-minor track; it's a joint degree opportunity that combines coursework you complete at both schools.

Teo also says students should think about minors through the lens of some career visioning. A good place to start is to ask yourself what auxiliary skills could boost your career performance and/or enhance your resume — some possibilities are more intuitive, others more creative. Here are some examples to inspire your own brainstorming:

• A student on a pre-med track adds a minor in psychology to have more insights into how to communicate effectively with patients and into connections between mental health and physical wellbeing, physiology, and disease.
• A business major adds a theater minor because he enjoys the creative outlet as a complement to the quantitative thinking he does for his major and knowing it will help boost his confidence and effectiveness as a team and business leader, in public speaking and similar workplace communications.
• A computer science major adds a minor in education with a focus on curriculum development in order to pursue a niche in the field of client training, support, and education or in corporate training roles.

Now that you’ve seen just how creative you can be in terms of exploring diverse major-minor pathways, we’ll take a look at some of the more popular major-minor tracks out there.

What Are Popular Major-Minor Combinations?

Certain major and minor combinations are particularly popular due to their complementary nature and the advantages they offer in the job market. Here are a few examples of how to think about major-minor tracks through the lens of career readiness:

• Business Major + Computer Science Minor: Ideal for students interested in tech startups or roles that require both business acumen and technical skills.
• Psychology Major + Sociology Minor: Great for students who want a solid foundation in psychology but are aiming for careers in social work, counseling, or human resources.
• Biology Major + Environmental Science Minor: Perfect for students interested in conservation, ecology, or environmental policy, providing a well-rounded understanding of biological and environmental systems.
• Environmental Science Major + Communications Minor: A practical combination for students interested in nonprofit work, technical writing, or journalism, but with a strong environmental focus.

Get the idea? In today’s complex workplaces getting ahead often relies on combining diverse kinds of knowledge as well as both soft skills and technical skills. Adding a minor is a fairly easy way to finish college with a real career advantage.

Here are some additional major-minor combos to think about…

By carefully selecting a minor that complements your major and aligns with your career goals, you can create a more attractive and versatile academic profile. This strategic approach can open up additional opportunities and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Understanding the Bigger Picture: A College Minor vs. Concentrations, Double Majors, and Dual Degrees

As you weigh the pros and cons of a minor, you may find other options fit your circumstances better… Understanding the differences between a minor, a concentration, a double major, and a dual degree will help you decide if a minor is really the right fit for you personally alongside some similar alternatives.

• Minor: A secondary field of study requiring fewer courses than a major. It complements your major and can provide additional skills and knowledge.
• Concentration: A specialized area within your major. For example, a business major might have a concentration in marketing. Concentrations allow you to focus more deeply on a specific aspect of your major.
• Double Major: Pursuing two majors simultaneously. This requires fulfilling the requirements for both majors, which can be demanding but rewarding if you have diverse interests.
• Dual Degree: Earning two separate degrees, often from different schools or departments within a university. This typically takes longer than a single degree but offers a broader educational experience.

As you can see, a minor is really only one approach among many for enriching your academic goals in college and needs to be considered in the context of other options offering similar benefits.

A Minor in College: Strategist Tips and Insights

To get the best insights into whether a college minor should be part of your college journey, there’s no substitute for getting tips and insights from a knowledgeable admissions advisor. That’s why we asked US Admissions Strategist Tze Kwang Teo if he had any additional tips and insights for our readers.

Each student’s aspirations, college preferences, and career goals are unique, said Teo, so an individualized approach to planning is always preferable. That said, Teo typically encourages students and their families to consider the following kinds of questions when thinking about or choosing a college minor:

• Is it helpful to think in terms of choosing a strong academic major and adding a professional track minor? For example, if you get accepted to the University of Michigan engineering program, you’ll find an opportunity to pursue a top-flight business minor thanks to the UMich Ross School of Business.
• When planning for a minor, or dual or joint degree, are you taking into consideration additional prerequisites you may need? What about addressing your application strategy and application components — to be as competitive an applicant as possible if you're aiming for selective schools?
• Have you considered some of the many ready-made interdisciplinary, joint degree, and dual degree programs out there? An advantage can be that these programs are already tailored for specific learning objectives or career tracks and often ensure easier scheduling and a realistic path to completion within four years.
• While it’s often most pragmatic to think in terms of adding only one minor, what about adding two minors? — For extra breadth and/or to graduate well equipped for  a specific career niche or opportunity you’re passionate about?
• How do your various options for pursuing a minor, or not pursuing a minor, impact the time it takes to graduate, the cost of your college education, and considerations of the “ROI” — the return on investment you’re likely to receive for your efforts and investments?

Final Thoughts

For motivated students aiming for top universities, a well-chosen minor can complement your major, enhance your interdisciplinary understanding, and even open doors to unique career opportunities.

As you consider your options, remember that selecting a minor early can help you efficiently plan your coursework and make the most of your college experience. It's also important to research which universities offer the minors that align with your interests and career goals. This can be a crucial factor in choosing the right college and crafting a compelling application.

For personalized guidance, consider reaching out to a Crimson Education strategist. They can provide expert advice on selecting the best minor for you, navigating the college admissions process, and helping ensure your college selection process and how you craft your applications are well aligned with your most important academic interests and goals. 

Schedule a check in today and take advantage of free feedback on your college admissions goals while learning more about Crimson’s personalized advising process.

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Join our free webinars on US university applications
• Free eBooks and guides to help with the college application process