Major vs. Minor: What’s the Difference? - Bay Atlantic University - Washington, D.C. (2023)

FAQs

What is the difference between major and minor degree? ›

In a Bachelor's Degree, the Major is the main focus of your studies and the Minor is a secondary specialization. Your Major should be the field of study in which you wish to pursue a professional career, while the Minor can be either a complementary subject to that goal or a further exploration of a hobby or interest.

A minor can help you stand out. With the many ways to stand out when applying for jobs, graduate school or professional school, having a minor could be one of them. Taking on the challenge of several extra upper-division courses shows that you are determined, take initiative and can handle the additional workload.

If so, you have likely come across the words “major” and “minor” and might be confused by what they mean. Majors and minors allow you to customize your bachelor's degree based on what you would like to specialize in. Simply put: a major is your main specialization and a minor is your secondary specialization.

A minor is not a degree. It's a concentration that you get in addition to your primary field of study, known as your major. Although minors can often round out your degree and provide depth and context to your education, they are not considered to be stand-alone degrees or certifications.

In general, a minor doesn't make a degree more attractive to employers, but some majors benefit from a carefully selected minor. For example, a degree in law or social work with a minor in Spanish shows that you're particularly suited to work in Hispanic communities.

Having a minor and a major listed on your resume helps it stand out from the competition. A minor shows employers that you're willing to go above and beyond in terms of your education. Employers could see this as a willingness to apply the same effort at your job.

According to a blog by Peterson's, having a minor in college can "round-out your degree, complement your chosen major and career aspirations, and expand your knowledge and education [in] a particular passion."

Minor Scale Formula

The starting note of a relative minor scale is 3 half steps lower than the major scale. So the relative minor scale of C Major is A minor and the notes are A B C D E F G A.

How many majors or minors can I declare? If you choose, you may declare up to three areas of study. This could be two majors and a minor, or one major and two minors.

Do I put my minor on resume? ›

A minor should be listed on your resume after the major, either on the same line or one line below your major. The key is to ensure clean formatting and easy readability. This guide will provide you with a detailed breakdown of how to list your minor on a resume.

You cannot officially get a major or a minor or a concentration after graduating — unless you enroll in a program again.

Completion of a minor appears on the diploma and official transcript.

There are some clear benefits to earning a minor. Undergrads can complement their major and develop interdisciplinary strengths with a minor. What's more, a minor lets students explore fields outside their major. A minor might even help you out after graduation as you look for jobs.

A minor is above and beyond your degree requirements. It shows your work ethic and makes you more appealing to potential employers who want to hire someone willing to put in the effort. Second, academic minors can help you fill a role within an organization that is more specialized.

Major usually sounds happy or fun, while minor often sounds sad or serious. Chords from major keys typically have a dominant, complete sound to them, while chords from minor keys often sound more dissonant and interesting.

Even though students will take more college courses for a major, experts say they shouldn't overlook the importance of determining a minor. “Minors are incredibly important because it's another way to demonstrate to employers that you have an interest in something,” Millay says.

However, three minors for similar mistakes will often result in a major, which will cause you to fail your test. But many drivers do indeed fail their tests first time. This is extremely common, and it's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

While you can receive 15 minors and still pass, three minors for the same mistake will most likely result in a major and a fail.

Is major or minor more happy? ›

Most of the time, when all else is held constant, music in a major key is judged as happy while minor key music is heard as sad. I say most of the time because it's not true across the board. Minor music can be happy even if people do not understand the lyrics, such as in Van Morrison's 'Moondance'.

If you're passionate about more than one subject and already majoring in the area of your chosen career, you're probably wondering if a minor needs to relate to your major? The answer is no, your minor can be in any subject and doesn't need to have anything to do with your major.

What is a triple major? Students who triple major complete the requirements for three separate disciplines and graduate with one bachelor's degree. Triple majors are well-suited for students looking to explore different interests and get a leg up in the job market.

Students interested in more than one subject or interdisciplinary studies don't need to worry—yes, it's absolutely possible to major in two things at once. Pursuing a double major is not only very common, college students can also take advantage of several unique benefits and opportunities.

A double major ideally helps you achieve a more extensive education by deepening your knowledge of two subjects without adding significantly to the time it takes to earn your bachelor's degree. With a double major, you may have broader career options when you graduate, as well as a higher earning potential over time.

How do you put Dean's List on your resume ? Put Dean's List on your resume under the education section, followed by college name, major, grade point average, and the years you made the list.

A dual-degree program lets you earn two credentials in distinct fields. A double major results in one degree with two areas of specialization. Both options can help you access a wider array of career opportunities. Pursue the option that best fits your personal circumstances and academic/professional goals.

What makes a major a minor? ›

What Makes a Chord Minor or Major? The difference between a major and minor chord comes down to one, simple change: the 3rd in a scale. A major chord contains the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the major scale. A minor chord contains the 1st, flattened (lowered) 3rd, and 5th notes of the major scale that it's named for.

A college major is your desired area of focus in your studies. It's what you earn your degree in. Some examples are Business Administration, Early Elementary Education, Information Technology, and Spanish Language.

Switching majors is similar to college transfer. Changing majors across colleges or schools within the same university is as tough as changing majors from a different college to another university. In doing so, the requirements and courses are so different, that it is like changing institutions.

The Takeaway: If you're truly interested in another area of study, and want to immerse yourself completely in it, double majoring might be the right path. If you're just curious about it or want to try something new, minoring is probably best.

Diplomas do NOT reflect areas of concentration, specialization or emphasis. Depending on your major, your concentration or emphasis may appear on your transcript.

Students at the undergraduate level can have multiple majors and minors. They can also have dual degrees. On the other hand, students at the graduate level can have dual degrees only. If one of the degrees they are earning is a bachelor's degree, then they can have multiple majors and minors, too.

No, they are different. An associate's degree is typically awarded by a community college, junior college or a technical college. A minor, however, signifies an additional field of study on top of your undergraduate major in a specific area, and it includes upper-level college courses within that area.

Bachelor's degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor's degrees are bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS).

How do you pick a major minor? ›

Similar to how education experts recommend you choose your major, you'll want to consider minors that complement your current skill set and fit well with your major. Talk with other students in your major and academic advisors to ensure that you're not overlooking a minor that could be a great fit for you.