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Common Definitions
Major:
A program of courses that meets the requirements for a degree in a field of study. Major (discipline): “A subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization… characterized by the majority of courses required at the junior/senior level, generally from a specific academic department.” The subject or subject areas upon which a student chooses to place principal academic emphasis.
Minor:
(also referred to by Kansas Board of Regents as a “concentration”): A systematic program of study in an area of emphasis outside a student’s major. A program of study with a minor emphasis in a field of specialization outside a student’s major field of study. Minors are offered by academic departments and administered by a director, who is a faculty member of the academic department which offers the minor.
Certificate:
A program of courses that emphasizes a focused specialty area of study as part of or beyond the requirements for the B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degrees. It is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of individuals such as to enhance their employability and opportunities for promotions and salary benefits.
Dual Degree:
A dual degree is two unique degree types that a student has elected to pursue at one time (e.g., B.S. in Mathematics and B.S.B.A. in Business Administration). The requirements for both degrees must be satisfied.
Double Major:
A double major are two majors in the same degree type being pursued by a student at one time (e.g., B.S. in Mathematics and B.S. in Geography). The requirements for both degrees must be satisfied.
Secondary Major:
Interdisciplinary major which must be completed along with a primary major course of study. A secondary field of specialization, an interdisciplinary program of study which is completed in addition to a major. These programs are administered by a director and a supervisory committee of faculty representing the various academic departments offering courses for the secondary major. Secondary majors cannot be earned outside of completion of the primary major.