Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Arts faculty and staff resources
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
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:
*Coming fall 2023
**also available as
an entry program
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.
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 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
Degree steps:
Non-degree or post-degree steps:
Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Arts faculty and staff resources
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.