Should I Double Major?

Student contemplating while looking to the right

I was chatting with a student recently when she asked, “Should I double major?” This is a question a lot of students ask when their desired career path has crossover between two educational programs.

Before you make this decision, consider all of the factors I’ve listed below. In the end, you’ll have clarity on whether or not you should double major.

Employers value experience

Before you double major, think about using that extra time and effort to gain valuable experience. Employers say it all of the time, they want students to have relevant experience. In fact, many employers say relevant experience is even more important to them than the type of degree. And, in some career fields, employers prefer experience over any degree at all.

College is expensive

Let’s face it, college is expensive. Before you spend an extra $50,000 dollars on a double major, you need to make sure it is a good investment. A double major can mean an additional year and a half to two years in college. Thorough research and some time spent asking questions to hiring managers will give you great information that you need to make an informed decision. Don’t spend that money if you don’t have to.

Job postings provide insight

If you are unsure if you need a double major and don’t know anyone in the field to contact, I highly recommend looking at job descriptions to see what employers are asking of candidates. Doing this research is quick and easy and will also provide you with a good perspective for the future.

Should I double major if the career I want is a mixture of two college majors?

If you are interested in a career path that has cross-over between academic programs, consider a minor. For example, let’s say you are interested in forensic psychology. Should you double major in psychology and criminology or criminal justice? Most generally, I advise students to choose a major and then a minor. Minors are less expensive, yet still very marketable to employers.

The bottom line is employers value experience and, most of the time, double majors aren’t necessary. Identify the career field you want and then figure out the best academic program to help you accomplish that goal. In most cases, a combination of work experience and academic training is the recipe for success at the start of your career.