Let Us Help You Pick Your Major

The advising group for students who have not decided on a major at MTSU provides many services to help students choose a program.  We can help you find your advisor, pick your major, or answer your questions. There are some answers to commonly asked questions that might help you but you can contact us anytime and we’ll be glad to help.

Mentoring: Our advisors help their students navigate the issues of transitioning to a university.

Academic Orientation and Guidance: During this time of exploration students are kept on track by advising them into an initial selection of courses that are designed to make the most efficient use of their hours.

Academic Exploration: Our advisors spend time with our students helping them to discover academic programs where there is interest as well as explore the possibilities that they may not have considered.

Career Exploration: Our advisors work closely with t the Career Development Center (http://mtsu.edu/career/) to provide career decision making assistance using interest assessments, guided exploration and resources for answering any questions you have about various careers including pay, growth, and needed skills.

Undecided Students by the numbers

• Only about 2% of individuals truly know at age 18 what they want to do for the rest of their lives

• National statistic vary but up to 50% of entering college students are undecided about their major

• One in three of all college students change their major at least once (often incurring additional time and money). 10% do so three times or more.

• There is a 91% retention rate for students who start as undecided (the additional support and guidance makes a difference).

• In a national sample of over 20,000 decided and undecided students at six different types of postsecondary institutions, and it was found that undecided students actually displayed higher levels of academic achievement (average GPA) and were more likely to persist to graduation than decided students.

How To Declare or Change a Major

You may declare your major via the MTSU web site (https://www.mtsu.edu/registration/change-major). On this page you will find a link for “Change of Major/Program”. Complete the online form and submit. After you have completed the form you will get an email confirmation from the Records Office regarding your change of major. Soon after you should be assigned an advisor in your new major. You can view your listing of advisors any time via your PipelineMT account.

Even after careful consideration, you may later decide to change to another major. Simply, complete the online form again and your new major will be updated. A new advisor will be assigned to you. Please note that, realistically, the more credit hours that have accumulated, the harder it can become to actually change into another major without losing some of those hours.

About Your Advisor

Once you declare a major, you will be assigned an advisor. This faculty member will work with you in your major to make sure you are on track with course selection, specific major requirements, and additional opportunities. Be sure to utilize your advisor to the fullest; they can help you make the most of your time at MTSU.