What is a Minor
A minor is a grouping of 6 or more courses, totaling 18 to 21 credits, of which 12 credits are usually in 300- to 400-level courses. A minor may be similar to and named for an existing major, such as Chemistry. Or, it may be a special, interdisciplinary grouping, like Judaic Studies. The department or college offering the minor determines which courses are required and any course options. Some colleges may actually require a formal minor as part of the degree program. A complete list of all available minors appears below.
    A minor provides an excellent opportunity to blend another subject area into your degree program on a smaller scale without the additional requirements of a double major, dual degree, or combined degree. A minor may be related to and complement your major, or it might be in a completely different academic/professional area. Some colleges may not approve a minor that is too close to your major. Because a completed minor appears on your transcript after graduation, it shows in an official way another area of preparation and highlights another dimension of educational background to support an application for graduate study or employment.

Enrolling in a Minor: Restrictions, Limitations, Eligibility Requirements
Pursuing a minor should be discussed with your academic advisor. Then complete a petition form, available in your dean’s office, requesting to formally pursue the minor. The petition must be signed by your advisor, the department or college offering the minor, and your home college dean’s office which will complete the final paperwork to enter the minor on your student record.
    Information about the few minors that have enrollment limits or eligibility requirements can be obtained at the sponsoring department/college. The sponsoring unit can explain specific course requirements and options for the minor.
    When pursuing a minor, try to have the paperwork completed before registration because the minor must be officially listed on your record to assure registering for certain restricted courses.

Degree Requirements When Pursuing a Minor
The minimum number of credits required for your degree may not change. In fact, in some colleges, a minor is required. More typically, pursuing a minor will “shape” 18 to 21 credits of your course elective opportunities and will fit in with other requirements. The gain in trading the flexibility of choice for the 6 or 7 courses that constitute a minor is in developing a focused area of study that shows on your transcript. If you want to complete a minor and take more elective courses than your degree allows, you will need to complete more than the normal total number of credits. Your academic advisor or dean’s office can advise on the effect of a minor on your particular degree program.
    The courses taken to complete a minor will appear on your transcript in the semesters they were completed, along with the grades received. After certification by your college for graduation, and if all coursework for the minor is completed, it will appear on your transcript under the college, major, and degree listing as “MINOR IN {title}.”

Pursuing More Than One Minor
You can pursue more than one minor if there are enough elective course opportunities in your
degree program or if you choose to graduate with additional credits. This possibility should be discussed with your advisor or dean’s office.

Official Minors
All current official disciplinary minors are listed below. Detailed descriptions of requirements for each may be found in this Undergraduate Course Catalog at the following links, or from the designated department for minors not yet described in this catalog. Interdisciplinary minors within the College of Arts and Sciences and between the College of Arts and Sciences and other schools and colleges can be found on this web site at cm.internetconsult.com/intdiscminors/default.aspx


Accounting
African American Studies
American Studies
Anthropology
Applied Computer Technology (B.P.S.)
B.S. Degree in Social Work
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Classics
Communication and Rhetorical Studies
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Computer Engineering
Earth Sciences
Economics
Electrical Engineering
English
English and Textual Studies
Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises
Fashion Design
Finance
Fine Arts
French Language, Literature, and Culture
General Studies in Management
Geography
German Language, Literature, and Culture
Health and Exercise Science
Health and Wellness
History
History of Architecture
Hospitality and Food Service Management
Information Management and Technology
International Relations
Italian Language, Literature, and Culture
Latino-Latin American Studies
Legal Studies (B.P.S.)
Linguistic Studies
Marketing Management
Mathematics
Music Industry
Nonviolent Conflict and Change
Nutrition
Nutrition Science
Organizational Leadership (B.P.S.)
Philosophy
Physics
Policy Studies (Public Affairs)
Political Science
Professional Communication (B.P.S.)
Psychology
Religion
Religion and Society
Retail Management
Russian and Central European Studies
Russian Language, Literature, and Culture
Sociology
Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Textile Design
Women's Studies
Writing Program