Change your major or minor

Before initiating a change of major, concentration or minor, you should carefully review the online requirements and prerequisites table and contact the office administering the program of study. Credits previously earned at Virginia Commonwealth University or another university may not be applicable to the new academic program.

To request a program change, submit the Change of Major/Concentration Form or the Change of Minor Form. The change becomes official after the Office of the University Registrar has received authorization from the appropriate school dean, department chair or program head.

Changes made through the add/drop period will apply toward the current semester. Changes made after the add/drop period are effective for the following fall or spring semester, and changes made during the summer session are effective for the following fall semester.

Declare your major

If you're an undeclared student who needs assistance in selecting a major or concentration, contact University Academic Advising to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Health sciences programs

Students who wish to change to an undergraduate health sciences program must go through the admission process. Health Science Programs that require the admissions process are:

  • Medical Lab Sciences
  • Radiation Sciences
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Nursing

Students who wish to change to the BS in Health Services can do so using the Change of Major/Concentration Form.

Pre-professional Health (PPH) programs

VCU offers PPH minors to students pursuing competitive admission into professional health programs after they graduate with an undergraduate degree. Degree seeking undergraduate students may select to add a PPH minor to their major program of study. These minors have specific declaration and progression requirements. Declaration of a minor is not required to apply to professional health programs. Students interested in applying to a professional health program can also utilize services and resources provided by Career Services.

Students can declare a minor in the following areas:

  • Pre-Dentistry
  • Pre-Medicine
  • Pre-Occupational therapy
  • Pre-Optometry
  •  Pre-Pharmacy
  •  Pre-Physical therapy
  • Pre-Physician assistant
  • Pre-Veterinary medicine

Teacher preparation program

Students interested in the extended teacher preparation program should contact the School of Education’s Student Services Center. Advising tracks include:

  • Biology education
  • Chemistry education
  • Elementary education
  • English education
  • History/social studies education
  • Interdisciplinary science education
  • Mathematics education
  • Physics education

Graduate, professional and nondegree-seeking students

Graduate and professional students who want to change to a different degree should submit an application and all required materials to the new program.

Nondegree-seeking students intending to enter a degree-seeking status must go through the admission process.