Declaring a Major

You may select your major at any time after the first semester, and you are required to declare no later than the end of your third semester.

Double Majors

Any student who wishes to complete a second major must officially declare by the end of the fourth semester of study.

Adding or Changing Majors

After the fourth semester, students wishing to add a second major, or change majors, must petition and gain approval from the new department or program to ensure that the student can complete the major by the end of the eighth semester. Some highly structured programs, particularly those involving study in the foreign languages or the natural sciences, are facilitated by a declaration of major by the end of the second semester.

Helpful Resources

First-Year Seminar Advisor

If you are a sophomore preparing to declare a major, you might begin the process by contacting your first-year seminar advisor for an appointment. At that meeting you might discuss both the completion of your distribution requirements and your moving on to a new major and a new advisor. Your first-year seminar advisor can help you sort through the interests you have developed in your time at Middlebury. Ask him or her for an appointment, or go to office hours.

Faculty in the Major Department

You might talk to faculty who have taught you in departments or programs you’re considering for a major. One of them might become your new advisor. You could catch a faculty member quickly before or after a class, but make an appointment or go to office hours for a substantive discussion.

Department Chairs 

Another important source of information and advice is the chair of a department. You will notice on the declaration form that you need a signature from the chair of the department(s) you’re planning for a major. But don’t wait until the end of the process to speak to the chair. Especially if you haven’t decided on a new advisor, or if you want to know about joint- or double-majoring options, or if you’re wondering what kinds of things majors in the department do after Middlebury, the chair is an excellent source of information.

Important Forms

• Major declaration form is available in the Registrar’s Office.
• International students need to update their visa documents when they declare a major.