Written by special contributor
With more than 100 programs at Waterloo, it can be hard to choose just one major. Fortunately, many programs offer the flexibility for you to customize your program.
A common way to combine your interests is to add a minor, which consists of 8 to 10 courses in a specific subject out of the 40 or so you need to earn a degree.
There are university-wide minors you can choose from and literally hundreds of major/minor combinations. So why not add something that makes you look good or compliments your main course of study?
Use minors to broaden your interests
Minors don’t have to be related to your major. You can pursue a minor in something that you took a course in and fell in love with, or you could pursue a minor in something you’re really good at!
For example, you can combine subjects in the faculties of Arts, Environment, Health, Mathematics, and Science.
The ability to add a minor between faculties is a pretty awesome opportunity for students. The flexibility here at Waterloo is phenomenal!
Other ways to customize your degree
Options and specializations
If you want to go deeper into your program, you can often choose options and specializations. These are sets of courses inside your major that let you dig deeper.
Options are normally open to students registered in the same faculty that offers the option. Specializations are normally open to students within a specific program.
You could major in English and add a Digital Media Studies specialization or choose a Recreation major with the Tourism option.
The faculties of Engineering, Health, and Science list options and specializations for their programs. Students in the Faculty of Environment can add a Business option to their degree.
Double majors or joint honours
The most intensive way to specialize is to do a double major or joint honours. Available in a number of programs, these allow you to really focus on two major subjects of interest. Nearly all of your courses would be in your two majors.
What's the difference?
A double major is within the same faculty while a joint honours means you have a major in one of Waterloo's faculties and a second major in a different faculty. Examples include
- a double major in Political Science and History (both majors within the Faculty of Arts) and
- a joint honours in Biology (Faculty of Science) and Geography and Environmental Management (Faculty of Environment).
In first year, you would start taking courses in both subjects. It's a good idea to chat with the advisor for your program to get help in planning which courses you'll take when.
Thinking of a career in teaching?
Most programs provide the flexibility to take courses in a subject that could be a second teachable if you're planning to teach intermediate and senior grades.
What's the first step?
So once you’ve taken a couple of courses and know you want to add a minor, specialization, option, or double major, you have to add it to your degree, usually at the end of first year. (FYI: You declare your major and minor so Waterloo knows what to put on your degree.)
How do you do that? Easy!
Your first stop anything about your degree would be the undergraduate office in your faculty. Advisors there can help with selecting courses, adding a minor or specialization, and ensuring you're taking the courses you need to graduate.
Changing your mind
You might take some courses in a minor or specialization and find that it's not really what you want. You almost always have choices to switch or change. You know what I’m going to say: just go see your advisor to figure out what you should do.
So when you get to Waterloo, explore your options. Find something you’re passionate about, and look into ways to make degree as unique as you are!
Beyond the classroom
International exchanges
Travel and fulfill your wanderlust while earning credit towards your Waterloo degree. By spending several months at a different university, you'll immerse yourself in the culture of another country. Plus you can have fun and make friends from around the world.
Explore your interests with extracurriculars
Joining one of Waterloo's clubs or student design team can give you experience with marketing, writing financial reports, building models, or writing software while having fun and meeting new people!
Research opportunities
Many programs allow you to pursue a year-long project in fourth year on a topic of personal interest. This can be a great opportunity to realize focus your studies.
Some faculties (including Science and Engineering) also provide opportunities to work with professors on research during the school year.
When you add a minor, it shows potential employers that you have expertise and interests in more than one field.
What do students say about their minors?
Justice – Honours Arts and Business (Psychology major and Cognitive Science minor)
I chose to add a minor in Cognitive Science along with my Psychology major because I wanted to specialize and to have some science with my arts major.
The focused approach of a minor appealed to me and I like that it will be recognized on my diploma. Adding a minor does take a bit of planning, especially in the Honours Arts and Business program.
If you’re thinking of doing a minor, it’s good to have a couple in mind and try some first-year courses in those subjects before committing to one (or two).
Michelle – Honours Biology, double minor in Psychology and Human Nutrition
The psychology minor for sure I knew was going to help me become a Naturopathic Doctor (ND). But it was not until I completed my requirements for ND school that I thought, “I like this!” and kept going with it to earn a minor. The Human Nutrition minor? I was just really interested in it!
Turning your interests into a minor is totally cool. You also get to meet different people on campus. And in different faculties you can see a change between them, get to meet people outside of your social bubble, and explore different areas of campus.
I was scared about doing a double major but I’ve found it’s no more work than when I just had one. Plus there’s no extra cost and it’s been fulfilling to study two subjects that really interest me.
Christian, Honours Arts (Psychology and Sexuality, Marriage, and Family double majors)
In first year, I chose to major in Psychology and include two minors. I really enjoyed the connections between Psychology and Sexuality, Marriage, and Family (SMF) so in second year I dropped one minor and changed the SMF minor to a second major.
I was scared about doing a double major but I’ve found it’s no more work than when I just had one. Plus there’s no extra cost and it’s been fulfilling to study two subjects that really interest me. The trade-off is that I don’t get as many electives but there’s still variety and choice within my majors.
It can be tricky fitting in all your courses but my advisor has been very helpful in planning out rest of my courses. And a double major works well with co-op (which I find is a nice break from school).
If someone is considering a double major, I say don’t be scared and just go for it. It’s great to make connections with profs in two departments – it can help with career plans!
Questions about customizing your degree?
Learn about Waterloo's programs as well as minors available to all students.
If you have questions about combining areas of interest, contact the recruitment co-ordinator for your faculty or program.
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