Declare your major

You can fill out the online Declare Your Major Form on your own, but if you want guidance you can watch the how to declare your major video which walks you through how to fill out the online form.

We will also host two drop-in help sessions in March where you can pop by and an advisor will be available to answer questions and do the form with you. Details for the drop-in sessions will be posted above once confirmed.

You’ll need to complete at least 8 courses (4.0 units) in total and have at least 1 or 2 courses in the major area, depending on the major. If you don't have 8 courses complete, it may be possible to take courses during the Spring term. If you have questions, please contact your academic advisor.

Note: If you were directly admitted to Social Development Studies or Global Business and Digital Arts students — you’re already admitted to your plan, but you can use electives to explore other Arts-related subjects. 

If you are not eligible for your requested major by the end of your Winter (1B) term, you may need to return to take some classes in Spring. This could be the case if you have less than 8 courses completed, don't meet the minimum required average for a major, or don't have enough courses completed in the major you're requesting.

It is recommended that you speak with your academic advisor about your course load if you plan to take courses in the Spring term. A full-time course load may or may not be advised depending on how many courses you've already completed.

Yes, absolutely! You can personalize your degree by declaring two Honours majors.

• Any two Arts Honours majors can be combined for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. (Note that there are three exceptions: Liberal Studies, Mathematical Economics (BA) and the French Teaching Specialization cannot be combined with any other major.)
• Many Honours Arts majors can be combined with a few honours majors offered in other faculties.

If you want a second area of interest, but don’t want to complete the 16 courses required for a second major, consider a minor! However, most minors will not be declared now and instead you may wait until after level 2A to officially declare a minor.

Note: If you plan to enrol in a co-op program, the first major that you select will be the co-op sequence that you follow.

Yes, you can declare a minor at the same time as your major. There is a field for this right on the Declare Your Major form. To be admissible to a minor, you must have at least one course completed and have an average of at least 65% in that subject for most minors in Arts.

If you’d like to minor in a plan outside of the Faculty of Arts, please consult the advisor for that department. In most cases this is possible, but you’ll need to check. These minors can be added later via a Plan Modification Form. 

Specializations are available in some major plans. These are a package of courses based upon a theme within a major and will be listed on the printed graduation diploma and official transcript. For example, a History major can add a specialization in Digital and Public History by completing four specific courses as part of their 16 History major courses required for the 4 year plans. The Undergraduate Calendar lists available departmental specializations.

Note that students cannot pursue a departmental specialization if they are not registered in that specific major plan. For example, a Psychology major cannot add the Social Work specialization that is available to Social Development Studies (SDS) majors. Only SDS majors can add one of the SDS specializations.

Diplomas and certificates are also a package of courses based upon a theme. Many of them are offered as Arts minors (such as Applied Language Studies, Black Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies) but the diploma requires fewer courses than the 8 course minors offered by the Faculty of Arts.

Students do not formally declare diplomas or certificates until the point of graduation. Contact the department offering the specialization, diploma or certificate to ensure you are selecting appropriate courses as you progress towards your degree.

You should be able to see your major plan name updated on Quest in late May by logging into Quest (click "My Academics" and then view the "my undergrad program" tab to see your current program and any future changes).

Once you are admitted to your major your advisor will change from first year. You will have an advisor for every plan that you are in (major, double major, ARBUS, Liberal Studies, minor, etc.). These advisors will be there to assist you for the remaining years you are in Arts at Waterloo!

You'll need to select Fall 2025 classes on Quest. Following the requirements, listed by major, on these charts when that time comes:

• Honours Arts required courses for 2nd year
• Arts and Business required courses for 2nd year

What co-op looks like for Arts students

Co-op is available to both Honours Arts and Business and Honours Arts students, no matter what major you choose.

Co-op can be a great way to test drive careers and gain experience before graduation, but there are some key things to know before you choose to enrol in co-op.

Learn about what co-op looks like for Arts students and how it can help you prepare for your future career.

Co-op eligibility

To be admitted to an Arts co-op plan before second year (2A), you must meet the eligibility standards.

Co-op sequences

You will need to complete a minimum of four work terms in your study/work sequence. The sequence you follow is determined by when you start your studies, as well as your program and major. If you’re unsure of which sequence to follow, consult with your academic advisor.

Note: Switching from Honours Arts and Business Co-op to Honours Arts Co-op prior to completing any work terms will not be permitted. If you’re on the Arts and Business sequence and don’t find employment for your first winter work term, you cannot change your first work term to spring to follow the Honours Arts sequence.

For first year students declaring their major for the first time, the form will be completed online so you don't have to take a paper copy anywhere! 

If you are declaring your major or minor after the Declare Your Major deadline (above), for example if you're taking Spring courses to be eligible, then you'll need to complete a Plan Modification Form and submit to artsadvisor@uwaterloo.ca