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When do I have to declare a major?

Indecisive about your college major? You don't have to commit to a program yet to get started on your degree

By Abby Berner, 8/17/09

Relax; you don’t have to choose a major right away.

If you are not ready to commit to an associate or bachelor’s degree program, but you want to get back into the swing of things, ask an academic adviser or admissions counselor about taking courses as a non-matriculated student.

“Non-matriculated” means you take classes without formally applying to a degree program. You will still want to talk to an academic adviser about how the course(s) might apply to a future major, but this route allows you to test out the idea or going back to school or a particular college without going through the full application process.

Just keep in mind that this option does not allow for any financial aid support.

Remember, if you’re still looking for a major, a community college is a great place to earn some of the general requirements required for a four-year degree. You could also earn an associate degree along the way.

Community colleges offer affordable tuition prices, as well as offering many courses at night or online.

If you know the four-year program you eventually want to join, be sure to talk to a transfer or academic adviser about the courses you plan to take and how they might transfer.

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