Don't Forget...

The MAJORS FAIR is TOMORROW!

Stop by the Campus Center Auditorium between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and explore the range of majors and resources UMass has to offer.  This is your once a year opportunity to speak with representatives from over 75 departments, programs, and resources all available to you in one convenient location! 

Not sure where to start or what to say?  Check out these suggested questions or complete this worksheet to discover a list of majors that may interest you.

Don't miss this opportunity to get connected!

So you'd like to be a Psychology major update...

As of October 1, 2009, students who would like to declare the Psychology major must either be currently registered in a course that fulfills the R1 gen ed requirement or have completed their R1 gen ed BEFORE they can declare the major. The R1 can be fulfilled by taking an appropriate course(s) or passing the R1 exemption test. For more information regarding the Psychology department and psych major requirements please visit the Psychology department, located in 501 Tobin Hall, to meet with an advisor during the following hours:

Mondays 11:30-3:30

   Tuesdays 2:00-5:00 

 Thursdays 2:00-5:00

You should bring a copy of your unofficial transcript (printed from Spire ) with you.  If you need help printing your transcript, click here.

How to Declare a Major

All UMass majors are either restricted or open. Restricted majors have certain requirements you must fulfill before you can declare. These requirements may be pre-requisite courses, minimum GPAs, personal essays, or attending an information session. In some cases you may need all of these things compiled into an application that will be reviewed by that department to determine if you meet their qualifications. It is important to keep in mind that if you are considering a restricted major, you should also have an alternate or two in mind!

Open majors do not have specific requirements that need to be completed before you can declare, although some departments may only allow you to declare during certain times of the year. Undeclared students who are ready to declare an open major should:

• Obtain a Change of Major form from the Registrar's Office (213 Whitmore) or from Undergraduate Advising
  
• Have the form signed by someone from the department/major you are declaring
• Bring the signed form to Undergraduate Advising to be signed out of Undeclared
  

Sound confusing? The best way to determine whether a major is restricted, open, or open with certain declaration periods is to check the department website, meet with an advisor, and stay tuned to this blog!

Plan Ahead . . . Week of September 14th

Mark your calendars, if you plan to attend any of these events coming up during the next week:

Monday, 9/14, 1:00 pm or Thursday, 9/17 at 11:30am, or Friday, 9/18 at 3:00pm, Goodell 608. BDIC information session on creating your own major through interdisciplinary studies. Click here for more information.

Monday, 9/14, 6:30pm in Marcus 131: Math R1 Exemption Test. Passing the R1 exam (at least 12 out of 20 correct) will satisfy the R1 requirement for graduation but will not result in the awarding of any credits. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, 9/16, and Thursday, 9/ 17, 5:30 p.m. in ISOM 206. Isenberg School of Management, On-Campus Info Sessions for current UMass students interested in applying to the BBA, Hospitality and Tourism Management, or Sport Management majors. **If you want to apply to SOM, you MUST attend! Click here for more information.

Resource Economics - Info for Prospective Majors

Bernie Morzuch and Donna Spraggon, from the Resource Economics Department, will be offering one more Group Information Session during the evening of Thursday, May 7. 

IMPORTANT:  If you are interested in the Resource Economics major, you must:

1. go to the ResEcon website, 
2. carefully read the webpage and familiarize yourself with the handbook, and 
3. fill out the statement of interest  in order to be invited to the meeting.

Once you have filled out the statement of interest, you will receive an email with details about the Information Session on May 7th (you must complete the webform before you can attend the info session).

The Resource Economics department offers four options: Consumer and Family Economics, Food Marketing Economics, Managerial Economics in Food and Resource Industries, and Natural Resource Economics.   Please note: the discipline of Resource Economics is founded on economic principles, and is highly quantitative, in an on-going way. 

BDIC degree takes you places . . .

Prize-winning Author and UMass Amherst Alumnus Peter Manseau will speak on 'Collecting Gods' TODAY - April 27 - from 12-1:30pm in Room 604 Goodell.

Peter designed his own major at UMass. Read more about how his academic major evolved into a high-profile career.

What's Your Major Got To Do With It?

How do you go from getting an Econ degree from UMass to being an Emmy-nominated screenwriter? Come find out!

Mark Wilding '79
Producer and lead writer from Grey's Anatomy

Tuesday, April 28
4-5:00 pm
Memorial Hall

Click here for more information.

Isenberg Info Session

The Isenberg School of Management will be hosting information sessions for current UMass students interested in applying to the BBA, Hospitality & Tourism Management or Sports Management majors.

5:30 pm in ISOM 206
Tuesday, April 14th AND Wednesday, April 15th.

For more info, contact the Isenberg Programs Office in ISOM 206 at (413) 545-5610

BDIC Info Sessions

Monday, March 30 at 12:15 pm
and
Tuesday, March 31 at 1:00 pm

In 608 Goodell, BDIC (Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration) will be hosting information sessions for students exploring the possibility of designing their own interdisciplinary major.

Computer Science Advising Session

Tuesday, April 14th, 4:00 pm, Computer Science Bldg. 151.
The Computer Science department is having an advising session for prospective majors -- all students who want to become majors are invited to attend.

SOCIOLOGY - Info Session for Prospective Majors

Information Session for new and prospective Sociology Majors
Wednesday, April 1st
4-5:30 pm
Campus Center, Rooms 165-169
Light refreshments will be served
For more information, email ADVISING@soc.umass.edu

More UMass Blogs

More blogs at UMass that you might want to check-out...


Communication News
Official Blog of the Department of Communication at UMass Amherst

UMass Pre-Law Advising
Official blog of the UMass Pre-Law Advising Office

UMass Amherst Legal Studies Blog

Undergraduate Program in Sociology
What every good soc student should know…

Got suggestions? Let us know!

Need Help Choosing a Major?

Open to students exploring ALL majors

Attend one or both student panel discussions:

Wednesday February 25th/4:00 to 5:00 pm/604 Goodell Building
Monday March 30th/4:00 to 5:00 pm/604 Goodell Building

Hear from students with majors in: Communication, Economics, Psychology, English, and ISOM! As well as the Education minor!

Learn about the process of choosing a major; the pros & cons, internship opportunities, courses in majors, and more!

Fellow Students and Advisors Will Answer Your Questions

Download our announcement here!