Section 2: Academic Processes

Confirming Your Major

Major Exploration

On the Undergraduate Majors website you will find a listing of all undergraduate majors offered at Virginia Tech. This resource will help you learn about the subjects and fields associated with them. 

Your choice of a major can fall into place once you pinpoint your career goals and areas that spark your interest. Mentally note which courses you enjoyed in high school (and college if you’ve already had any college courses). It is likely that this exercise will lead you to a major – or simply confirm the choice you’ve already made.  

If you would like to change your major, speak to your academic advisor regarding the change of major process and determine if your intended major is restricted or not. A list of the restricted majors can be found on the Registrar’s website (scroll to the bottom of the linked webpage and open the accordion titled “Restricted Majors”). Transitional advising appointments are available to help you navigate the change-of-major process, understand requirements for restricted majors, and select appropriate courses for the new major.

Transitional Advising

Transitional Advising offers students the opportunity to work with an advisor one-on-one to explore, plan, and implement the change of major process. Transitional Advising is intended for students outside the University Studies major who are planning to transition out of their current major and/or who need assistance after not being accepted into their desired major. For more information, visit the Transitional Advising webpage.

Change of Major  

Virginia Tech offers three common change-of-major periods each year for a student’s primary major, with an online application through Hokie Spa. Students must complete one fall or spring semester before applying. Additional information and application timelines can be found on the Registrar’s Change of Major Dates website.

Restricted Majors

VT has two types of majors: restricted and non-restricted.

• Restricted majors: 
  • Have specific criteria students must meet to be eligible to apply
  • Have a competitive application process
  • A list of restricted majors with the criteria to apply is available at the bottom of the Registrar’s Change of Major Dates website
  • Change of major to restricted majors is not guaranteed 
• Non-restricted majors:
  • Do not have specific criteria that need to be met before students apply
  • Generally, students who apply to non-restricted majors are approved to change into those majors, though some university restrictions or circumstances may still apply

Declaring a Second Major/Minor 

If you are interested in adding a secondary major or minor, work with your advisor to determine the appropriate forms and timeline. Each college has separate forms and policies to declare a secondary major or minor within their college. Refer to the section on College Forms later in this document.