How Many Credits Is a Double Major?

Thinking about double majoring in college? You may have questions about what it takes to obtain this type of degree. Specifically, you want to know how many credits you'll need to accrue. Do double majors require double the credit hours?

Most schools allow students to apply certain credits to both majors, and those in double major programs typically take fewer electives to make up for more core courses. For these reasons, double majors usually consist of about 120 credit hours just like single majors.

Keep reading to find out more.

How Do Credit Hours Work in Double Majors?

Bachelor's degrees typically consist of three types of courses:

• general education classes
• core major courses
• electives

Students in double major programs usually take more core courses and fewer electives to meet all course requirements as efficiently as possible.

Schools may allow students to apply some courses to both majors; for example, someone double majoring in business administration and accounting could likely meet a core requirement of both majors by taking the same finance course. They would not have to take a separate course for each major.

That said, different colleges have different policies; some schools require you to take additional classes to fulfill both majors' requirements. What's more, you may have to take extra classes if your majors are quite different from each other and don't have a lot of overlapping coursework.

How Many Extra Credit Hours Is a Double Major?

Generally speaking, you don't have to take extra credit hours to pursue a second major. You will still graduate after obtaining at least 120 credits whether you have completed one major or two. In double majors, two sets of core courses are required: one for each major. You may also have to take additional general education courses if the requirements vary from major to major.

In most cases, students compensate for the extra general and major courses by taking fewer electives. This way, they are still able to graduate in the same amount of time and with the same number of credits as those in single major programs.

Double Degree Credit Hours By Semester

Whether pursuing a single major or a double major, full-time students typically take 12 to 18 credit hours per semester.

You will typically take lower-level courses in your first year and second year, whereas third- and fourth-year courses will focus more on advanced or major-specific courses. Students often opt to complete general education requirements first and major requirements later on, adding electives as needed to round out credit hour requirements.

Schools often provide degree roadmaps to help you navigate through course requirements. If you plan to double major, it's important to work closely with an academic advisor to ensure you are taking the right classes at the right time to graduate in the most efficient manner possible.

What Are the Major Requirements for a Double Major?

Major requirements vary depending on the school and the program in question. An English degree will have different requirements than a computer science degree, just as an environmental science degree will have different requirements from a foreign language degree.

Regardless of the majors you choose, you will have to understand and meet all program requirements for both majors. So if your primary major is political science and your second one is communications, you'll need to ensure you take all the classes required for each program.

Can I Finish a Double Major in Four Years?

Yes. Since a double major can be completed in as little as 120 credits, many undergraduate students earn a double major in the same amount of time it would take to get a single major. Doing so takes a lot of planning and good time management skills. If you have to take more than 120 credits to fulfill all course requirements, you may have to take a heavier courseload each semester to still graduate in four years.

To avoid spending unnecessary time and money on extra classes, start planning early by choosing double majors with a lot of overlapping courses, and limit the number of electives you take to focus on core courses.

Credit Hours for a Double Major vs. a Dual Degree

Dual degrees and double majors sound similar, but they are not the same. A dual degree program enables you to complete two different degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. A double major allows you to complete two majors as part of a single-degree program.

If you are pursuing a second degree, you will naturally have fewer overlapping courses. As such, most dual degrees require at least 150 credit hours. They may also take an extra year or two to complete.

Is a Double Major Worth the Time?

Double majoring can help college students pursue unique specializations and improve their skill set. As such, it can make them more desirable job candidates once they graduate. For this reason, many students find that obtaining this type of undergraduate degree is worth it.