What Is a Double Major?

It’s a misconception that declaring a double major means you’ll earn two separate degrees. Actually, a double major is one degree with a separate area of concentration that can be in an entirely different field. If you aren’t earning two degrees, what is a double major’s purpose?

Even if you’re thinking of double majoring in two completely different areas, it’s entirely possible that the two concentrations will complement each other for the purposes of pursuing your intended career path. For instance, a city manager might have a degree in public administration and a double major in finance. Since city managers are public administrators who often deal with budgets, this can be a useful combination.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Is Double Majoring Worth It for You?

Students who have a double major often choose this path because they are deeply passionate about multiple areas of study. They may have had difficulty choosing between two fields. Similarly, some students simply love to learn and want to get the most out of their college experience, while others double major because of their intended career path.

To figure out if a double major is worth it for you, consider the type of career you’d prefer and identify which skill sets and areas of concentration are helpful for that career. For example, instead of earning separate degrees in psychology and economics, you would complete coursework in both subjects under one bachelor's degree. This means you graduate with one diploma, but it reflects expertise in both psychology and economics, rather than just one.

Do employers perceive double majors as unfocused? Could this harm your career prospects? Although not all employers are the same, declaring a double major could benefit your career prospects — not harm them.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

By approaching a problem from multiple perspectives, double majors may bring greater innovation to the workplace.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

If you’re not quite sure whether you want the workload of a double major, one option to consider is declaring a minor.

A minor might be a good alternative if you have other significant time commitments. For instance, you might want to play collegiate athletics, enjoy club activities, volunteer in the community or work at a part-time job or internship. It’s still possible to do these things with a double degree, but you will be stretched thin, so a minor might be more practical.

Although double majoring can be an effective way to pursue your career goals, it’s important to understand the challenges before filling out the paperwork. For instance, while earning a double major won’t necessarily double your workload, you can expect to need to put more effort into your schoolwork. However, if you’re someone who enjoys being challenged, this might not be a deal-breaker.

Another possible challenge is that you may need to take some summer courses to stay on track to graduate, and this might affect your internship or work plans. Additionally, double majoring may require extra time in school to fulfill all program requirements. Be aware that extending your time to graduate may affect eligibility for certain scholarships, grants and federal student loans due to limitations on aid and loan amounts.

Earning a double major can offer advantages, both academically and professionally. Consider the following potential benefits:

• Strong preparation for graduate school by developing skills in multiple disciplines
• Potential for enhanced career qualifications due to exposure to multiple fields of study^{(See disclaimer 2,3)}
• The opportunity to develop valuable skills such as time management, organization and a strong work ethic

You can get as creative as you’d like when choosing your double major. It may be helpful to research your intended career choice more thoroughly and identify the main areas of knowledge and skills that can be beneficial for those professionals. For instance, if you’d like to become an addiction counselor, you should understand exactly what’s involved with this career.

Some double major combinations include:^{(See disclaimer 6)}

• Marketing and communications
• Communications and a science degree
• Economics and psychology
• Psychology and justice studies
• Economics and supply chain and logistics management
• Psychology and a business degree

You can pursue your passion and find purpose for your career by becoming an undergraduate student at Grand Canyon University. Our colleges offer diverse bachelor’s degree options for both double-major and single-major students. These range from programs in business and management to justice studies, nursing and healthcare, performing arts and many more. GCU students can also choose from a wide spectrum of minors to enhance their skill set. 

A double major allows you to earn one degree with two areas of concentration. For example, you could earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a double major in communications. The degree listed on your diploma will be the psychology degree; the double major in communications will be similar to an area of concentration.

Choosing your major is an important step as an incoming or current college student. Your decision will influence how you spend your time in college and which career options you can pursue after graduation.

You might find it relatively easy to narrow down the list of possibilities but have trouble making a final decision. There are many factors to consider. Use the following decision guide to help you choose the path that’s right for you.

You’ve decided that your passion for two distinct concentrations is worth the extra workload, and now you’re curious about how to double major. Even if you’ve just arrived on campus as a freshman, you can begin setting the wheels in motion by reaching out to your academic advisor. Discuss your intentions and gather all the information you’ll need pertaining to the required courses, deadlines and paperwork.

Before you file the paperwork, you may wish to speak with other double major students about their experiences. They can help you understand what to expect from the workload and how to deal with any possible scheduling issues. Lastly, consider talking to your professors about your career plans to determine if the double major you chose is truly the right fit for you.

If you’re considering a double major, you might also want to take a look at a dual major (aka double degree). Unlike a double major, a dual major confers two distinct degrees (two diplomas). You would need to complete the full academic criteria for each degree.

A dual degree program allows you to take a deeper dive into two disciplines, which may complement each other for the purposes of pursuing your career goals.

You might choose to double degree in different fields for the sake of nurturing your passion while planning for the future. Choosing to double degree can let you make the most of your time in earning two distinct bachelor's degrees. You can enjoy the academic process while simultaneously working toward a career you may find rewarding.

For instance, let’s say you’ve decided you’d like to become a school principal. You’ll need to earn an education degree and gain teaching experience.^{(See disclaimer 5)} Since principals are school administrators,^{(See disclaimer 6)} you might also want to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Another option is to go back to school for a Master's in Education Administration.

Graduating with a double major in a reasonable amount of time is possible. However, every student’s situation is unique. You will need to discuss this with your academic advisor.

Your advisor will review your current credits and the requirements for each major to help determine if you can graduate within the typical four-year timeframe with a double major. Keep in mind that, in most cases, graduating on time with a double major is only possible if you take summer classes. It’s also easier to stay on track if you begin planning your double major during your freshman year.