What is a Minor?

A minor is a set of courses that are sufficient to establish proficiency in a discipline without having to take all of the courses that a major would take. For instance, some universities offer a minor in accounting. An economics major might take an accounting minor to expand the employment opportunities available. By doing so, the student might take between six and eight accounting courses without taking all of the courses that an accounting major would take either in accounting or in other business-related fields. A minor allows a graduate to apply for some jobs that do not require a complete major. It allows a student to concentrate on successful completion of their major without having to satisfy the heavy demands imposed on a double major. Many students consider minors because they know that their major is in a field that is not occupationally-oriented, so a minor gives them greater marketability after graduation.

Want More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared by university academic advisement staffs.