The Major

All LAS degrees require a major. LAS students must have a major and complete specified course work in the major.

Students are required to declare a major by the end of the sophomore year (59 semester hours). It is customary for students to devote much of the junior and senior years to advanced courses, independent study, and research work in the major field. If you need assistance in selecting a major field, you should schedule an appointment with a counselor in the Counseling Center, Room 2010 SSB (312) 996-3490. You should also speak with faculty members whose area is one in which you have an interest.

In general, you must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 (A=4.0) in all courses taken at UIC in the major field. Some majors may require a higher grade point average and set minimum grades for courses that are in the major. The Undergraduate Catalog provides the specific requirements, but it is best to meet with an advisor in the major department.

For students with transfer work in the major, the combined average of all major courses taken at UIC and at other colleges or universities must be at least 2.00 with the above provisions pertaining to the grade point average also applying.

You must complete at least one-half of the total hours required for your major in residence at UIC and complete at least 12 advanced hours in required major courses in residence. Advanced credit courses at UIC are those numbered 200 and above.

As part of the major course requirements, students must complete at least one course that requires extensive writing in the major discipline. Each major designates the appropriate course that meets the writing-in-the-discipline requirement.

While approximately one-third of the total credit hours required for the degree are generally in the major field, different majors and curricula vary in this. Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for the specific major and collateral (required courses outside of the major department) requirements as well as the total hours required in your major.

Students are responsible for meeting the UIC and LAS graduation requirements as well as those of the individual's major or curriculum that are in effect at the time of initial registration in each. If requirements are changed, continuing students and those whose attendance at UIC has not been interrupted for more than two years may complete the current graduation requirements or may elect to meet those requirements that were in effect at the time of the student's initial registration.

Students who return to UIC after an absence of more than two years are responsible for meeting the requirements of UIC and LAS and the major or curriculum in effect at the time of the student's re-enrollment.

For all students, however, if courses originally required are no longer offered or if external accrediting or certifying agencies modify their requirements, LAS or the student's major department retain the prerogative of specifying substitutes.

Declaring a Major

Formally declaring a major is required and is done at the office of the department offering the major. For majors that have prerequisite requirements or an application process, students should obtain the necessary information from the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the department advisor.