Majors, minors, and diplomas

Students listen intently in an Arts First course.

Many students change their mind about what to major in. That’s why we have you declare your major at the end of first year for Honours Arts and for Honours Arts and Business. You'll have time to explore before committing to a major.

In second year, when you make a decision about a major, you can add an optional double major, minor, diploma, or specialization. Your academic advisor can help you make these decisions.

The 30 majors you choose from are:

Anthropology
Classical Studies (or Classics)
Communication Studies* (or Communication Arts and Design Practice)
Economics
English (choose Creative Writing*, Literature, Literature and Rhetoric, or Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication)
Fine Arts (choose Studio Practice or Visual Culture)

    *Coming fall 2023
    **also available as
    an entry program

Auditions Music or Theatre and Performance

In Music, auditions for first-year Music studio courses take place during fall orientation and the first week of class in winter. If you’re interested in Music as a major for second year, however, you may attend early auditions in March for Music studio courses. The Music Department will help you with the details. Non-studio music classes do not require an audition.
In Theatre and Performance auditions for advanced acting classes are usually held the first week of each term.

Double major

If at the end of first year you would like to combine two major study areas, pursuing an Honours double major may be the solution. At Waterloo, almost any two Honours Arts majors can be combined. Also, many Honours Arts majors can be combined with a number of honours majors offered in other faculties. Arts students who wish to pursue an Honours major with another faculty should refer to available Arts academic plans in the Undergraduate Calendar. If you're interested in doing two majors, consult with your academic advisor during first year. Each major in Arts is 16 courses and the Bachelor of Arts degree requires 40 overall courses.

Minors

Pursuing a minor allows you to complete a group of courses in specific study areas, though your major remains your primary area of study. Once you're in second year, you can pursue a minor in most Arts major disciplines or in many disciplines in other faculties. When you're ready to add a minor, you'll complete a plan modification form. Minors in Arts are optional and require 8 courses.

Minors offered by the Faculty of Arts:

*The Human Rights minor is also offered as part of a double degree in human rights and law with the UK's University of Essex

Diplomas

Diplomas offer expertise in a particular area. They require fewer courses than a minor, but the number of courses varies by diploma. You can earn them alongside your major or as a post-degree or non-degree student. You do not officially add a diploma until you apply to graduate, but you can reach out to your academic advisor during your studies to ensure you're on track to complete requirements for the diploma.

*Non-degree / post-degree only

How to claim a diploma

Degree steps:

Upon completing their degree, including all diploma courses, students declare the diploma to obtain the credential, using the Apply to Graduate Form for that year.

Non-degree or post-degree steps:

Students need to apply to Non-degree or Post-degree studies first, and be admitted.
Upon completing all diploma courses, students declare the diploma to obtain the credential, using the Apply to Graduate form for that year.