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Changing major · College decision · Academic planning
About a third of college students change their major at least once. Sometimes that's the right call. Sometimes it's a reaction to one hard class or vague anxiety that creates real scheduling and financial problems. This guide helps you evaluate the decision honestly and explains the process at ASU, UA, and NAU.
The real question: Are you moving toward something or away from something? "I want to pursue X because..." is a much better basis for changing majors than "I don't want to be in Y anymore." Both can lead to the right answer, but the first kind of thinking is more likely to.
Legitimate reasons to change your major
You genuinely dislike the subject matter — not just the hard parts
Every major has hard parts. Disliking one difficult class is not a signal to change majors. Disliking the actual content of the field — the problems it solves, the questions it asks — is.
You have a different direction with real research behind it
The new major should be something you've investigated: coursework, conversations with people in the field, an internship or volunteer experience. "I think I want to try X" is a weaker basis than "I took an intro course in X and it's the first time I've been genuinely engaged."
The career outcomes don't align with what you want
If you've done real research (informational interviews, internship, honest job market research) and the career pipeline out of your current major doesn't match what you want to do, that's a legitimate reason. Vague fear of job prospects is not.
Your academic performance in the major is consistently poor despite genuine effort
If you're struggling despite real effort — office hours, tutoring, study groups — and that pattern holds across multiple courses in the major (not just one), that's useful information. It may mean a related field that plays to different strengths.
Weaker reasons to change your major
One hard class or one bad professor
A single bad experience is not a major signal. Check whether your reaction persists when you take different courses in the major, with different faculty.
A vague sense that something else might be more interesting
"The grass is greener" is real. Many students idealize other majors because they haven't encountered the hard parts of them yet. Take an intro course before you switch.
Social pressure or parental expectations
Pressure from parents or peers is one of the worst bases for a major decision in either direction. The question to answer is what you actually want to do — not what others want you to want.
You want to delay a difficult required course
Switching majors to avoid one required course you're dreading is usually short-term thinking that creates long-term scheduling problems.
6-step process for changing your major
Check the requirements for both majors
Pull up the catalog page for your current major and your target major. How many credits do you have that count toward the new major? How many new requirements do you need? How does this affect your graduation timeline and total credit cost?
Meet with an academic advisor — in your current major AND the new one
Your current advisor can tell you what credits transfer. The new major's advisor can tell you what's required, what's realistic to complete by your target graduation date, and whether you need to formally apply to the department.
Understand any competitive admission or GPA requirements
Some majors at ASU, UA, and NAU have competitive admission — nursing, business, education, some engineering programs. You may need to apply and meet a GPA threshold. Check this before you assume you can simply switch.
Calculate the financial and time impact
Switching majors can add a semester or year to your degree timeline — which means more tuition, more living costs, and delayed entry into the workforce. Run these numbers honestly before deciding. It may still be the right call; just do the math.
File the formal change-of-major form
Most schools require a form filed with the registrar. At ASU, this is done through My ASU. At UA, through UAccess. At NAU, through LOUIE. Some competitive majors require a separate application. Get this done before the next registration window.
Notify financial aid if your timeline changes
If switching majors extends your enrollment, you need to notify the financial aid office. Additional semesters may require additional loans or exhausting scholarship eligibility. Know the rules for your specific aid package.
Changing majors at Arizona public universities
ASU
Most major changes at ASU are processed through My ASU under "Change Major." Competitive programs (Nursing, W. P. Carey Business, Ira A. Fulton Engineering) require a separate application with a GPA requirement. The engineering application window is typically fall semester for spring enrollment.
University of Arizona
At UA, major changes are handled through UAccess. Many colleges have their own requirements — the Eller College of Management requires a 3.0 GPA and competitive application. The College of Nursing has selective admission. Check with the specific college before assuming you can walk in.
NAU
NAU major changes go through LOUIE. The College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services have their own admission requirements. NAU's advising structure is college-based — get an appointment with an advisor in the target college, not just the central advising office.
Alternative: add a minor or certificate instead
If you want to explore a second field without disrupting your current major's timeline, a minor (15–18 credits) or a certificate (12–15 credits) lets you demonstrate skills in another area without resetting your graduation plan. Most AZ universities allow double majors — explore whether that's faster than switching outright. Advisors in both departments can map this for you.