Choose Your Major

Choosing a major is all about finding a field of study that interests you and will propel you on a path to success, now, and after Suffolk. Explore your interests, test out your options, and pick a major that’s the perfect fit for your talents and goals.

Many students change majors at least once, so if you're feeling indecisive, you're not alone.

Evaluate

First, evaluate your interests and your academic strengths for potential majors.

  • Assess yourself – what are your values? What motivates you?
  • Think about your life experiences – work, volunteering, extracurricular activities – what have you enjoyed (and not enjoyed)?
  • Try vocational testing and self-assessments to help focus your interests, and then turn those interests into potential career paths.

Always discuss your academic and professional goals with an advisor.

Explore

Next, explore your options:

  • Review the different major options in the College of Arts & Sciences and Sawyer Business School.
  • Try the "What If I Changed My Program" option on MySuffolk. This allows you to view course requirements for different majors and to see how the courses you have already completed will apply to a new major.
  • Take a cue from your coursework and register for an elective that will introduce you to a new field. Scan course descriptions and think about what excites you. Or, think back to the classes you most enjoyed. What about the subject fascinates you?

Ask an advisor. They can make recommendations for you.

Connect

Meet the faculty and learn about their experiences and areas of expertise. Try scheduling an appointment, chatting after class, or attending office hours. Not sure who to contact within the different departments? Start by reading the faculty bios in College of Arts & Sciences and the Sawyer Business School. Or, ask an academic advisor.

Network by talking with parents, siblings, upperclassmen, coworkers or supervisors to learn about their educational and professional experiences.

Conduct informational interviews to gather information about your field of interest and find out how current professionals in that field got to where they are. Identify which skills are necessary for success in different fields. Create a network of contacts for future reference.

Participate in the Career Development Center’s Job Shadowing program.

Declare

Make it official by completing a change program of study or add program of study request in Workday Student.

Create an academic plan by meeting with an advisor in the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center to map out your remaining degree requirements and ensure you are on your best path toward graduation.

Connect with your faculty advisor. Your faculty advisor will be your mentor within your major and can provide valuable academic and career advice.

Ask for advice about:

  • Major electives
  • Internship opportunities
  • Way to get involved with your major outside of the classroom

Check for internship opportunities and travel experiences which may be required as part of your major. For example, the Accounting major requires that you complete an accounting internship in order to graduate. Even if your major does not require an internship, many majors allow you to take an internship course for credit (MKT-520 for example). Ask your faculty advisor for more information about internship opportunities.