Add areas of interest with minors

Interested in math and music? Biology and geography? Chemistry and Spanish? Many programs at Waterloo allow you to combine your interests and to make your degree uniquely you.

Including a minor (or minors) as part of your degree provides additional knowledge or skills. Most minors and specializations start in second year and become part of your degree, e.g., you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Anthropology with a minor in Political Science. As long as you meet the requirements, you can choose minors that complement your major – or choose minors that are very different.

What is a minor?

A minor is a group of 8-10 courses in a specific subject or topic which you would complete along with your major as part of the 40 or so courses for your degree.

Programs with a high number of required courses (such as Engineering) usually do not have enough elective courses in order for you to do a minor, diploma, or certificate.

University terminology

What's a major? What's the difference between an option and a specialization? What does undergraduate mean?

Check out our guide to university terminology for the scoop on higher education language.

 

Minors available to all Waterloo students


Certificates and diplomas

Courses you take for your degree can often count toward a certificate or diploma that you can earn in addition to your degree.

  • Diploma in Environmental Assessment 
  • Diploma of Excellence in Geographic Information Systems
  • Diploma in Fundamentals of Anti-Racist Communication – gain essential skills in anti-racist communication practices, racial awareness, cultural competency, interracial communication, and interracial allyship
  • Diploma in Future Cities
  • Diploma in Sustainability
 

Language diplomas

Demonstrate your expertise in languages with one of our diplomas.

 

How do you learn more?

You can contact the recruitment co-ordinator for your faculty/program of interest if you have questions about minors or specializations.

Once you're a Waterloo student, you'll have an advisor or advisors who can help you throughout your time at Waterloo. They can assist you with selecting your courses, choosing minors or other specializations, and ensuring you're taking the courses you need to.

Learn how to study multiple interests as part of your degree.