Change of Major & Multiple Majors

To initiate a change of major or to add another major, complete the Petition for Change of Graduate Major, Degree Objective, Multiple Graduate Majors, or Multiple Degree Objectives (GS301). Contact information for Graduate Advisors and Graduate Program Coordinators are available on the People section of each Program page.  The Petition for Change may be used only by continuing graduate students in an academic program.

1. Students must discuss any major change with Graduate Advisors in both programs.  The advisors will provide guidance on change implications, requirements, and next steps for earning the degree.
   • Contact information is available on the People section of each Program page.
   • International students must also consult their SISS advisor when making major and/or  objective  changes. 2. Complete the petition,  and  obtain  Graduate Advisor  and Graduate Coordinator  signatures. The Graduate Coordinator will submit the petition to Graduate Studies.
2. Complete the Petition for Change, selecting the appropriate box for changing to a new major or adding another major, and indicating whether the degree for the current major will be completed
   • Obtain the signature of the current program Graduate Advisor and Graduate Coordinator.
   • Obtain the signature of the new program Graduate Advisor (with program admissions authority) & Graduate Coordinator.
3. When the form has been signed, one of the Graduate Program Coordinators will submit the form to the Graduate Studies via GradSphere.

• Considerations for Changing Majors

•   • Programs may require students changing to the major to complete prerequisite coursework and/or to submit admissions materials (statement of purpose, writing sample, letters of recommendation, etc.).

    • Students should work with their new major Graduate Program Chair or Graduate Advisor to create an academic plan including remaining coursework and other degree requirements (e.g. examinations, language proficiency), connecting with a major professor, and options for funding/employment.  
    • Students must complete all degree requirements for the new major program, exceptions to some programs requirements may be made at the discretion of the Graduate Chair and Graduate Advisors.
    • Changing majors resets a students normative time to degree, but does not reset cumulative TA/GSR quarters (e.g. a student who has been a GSR for 6 quarters and then changes majors, will only have 15 quarters of GSR eligibility remaining).  

• Considerations for Multiple Majors
•   • Programs may require students adding an additional major to complete prerequisite coursework and/or to submit admissions materials (statement of purpose, writing sample, letters of recommendation, etc.).
    • Students must complete all degree requirements for all their major programs, exceptions to some program requirements may be made at the discretion of the Graduate Chair and Graduate Advisors.
    • Students may share up to 12 units between majors, with approval from their Graduate Advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies (through the Candidacy Application).
    • To meet the Graduate Studies residency requirements, students must spend at least two quarters in regular graduate standing if adding a second master’s program.
    • The student must complete a separate final requirement (dissertation, thesis, examination, etc.) in accordance with the degree requirements for each program. 
    • If a student is already in two major programs and is seeking to add a third major, they must submit two Petitions for Change - one with signatures from each current program.  
• Self-Supporting Program & Professional Students
•   • Students currently enrolled in a self-supporting master’s degree program may be approved for a double major adding an academic program, but they are charged tuition and fees for both programs.
    • In the case of a double major with a professional degree, it is the student’s responsibility to notify Graduate Studies when they have completed their professional degree.  Upon completion of the professional degree, Graduate Studies will change the student’s primary curriculum to reflect the academic graduate degree.
    • Professional students who would like to add an academic major must complete a graduate admissions application.  All Graduate Studies and program admissions deadlines apply.

Change of Degree Objective or Multiple Degree Objectives

Students who would like to change their degree objective or add an objective within the same program must submit the Petition for Change of Graduate Major, Degree Objective, Multiple Graduate Majors, or Multiple Degree Objectives (GS301) via GradSphere. 

1. Students must discuss an objective change with their program Graduate Advisor.  The advisor will provide guidance on change implications, requirements, and next steps for earning the degree.
   • Contact information is available on the People section of each Program page.
   • International students must also consult their SISS advisor when making major and/or  objective  changes. 2. Complete the petition,  and  obtain  Graduate Advisor  and Graduate Coordinator  signatures. The Graduate Coordinator will submit the petition to Graduate Studies.
2. Obtain the signature of the Graduate Advisor (with program admissions authority), and the signature of the Graduate Coordinator.
3. When the form has been signed, the Graduate Program Coordinator will submit the form to Graduate Studies SAA's for review and student record update.

• Considerations for Changing or Adding Degree Objectives
•   • Students adding the master's or PhD in their program should discuss completion of the degree requirements for both objectives with their Graduate Advisor.
    • Students adding a master's degree must not have a master's degree in the same field from another University.  If the student's previous master's degree is similar, but sufficient differences exist to show it is not a duplicate of the UC Davis master's degree, the Graduate Advisor may submit a statement of support to Graduate Studies explaining the differences between the two degrees.