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Resources

Major Discernment

The process of selecting a major can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Fortunately, Loyola has resources for helping you through the major and career discernment process (a.k.a determining the path or paths that connect your values to your vision for your future). We invite you to explore some frequently asked questions below, and encourage you to continue your discernment process by scheduling an appointment with your academic advisor or a career advisor. Please feel welcome, as always, to visit us virtually during Express Advising hours offered by the Office of First and Second Year Advising and the Career Development Center.

What is a major?

A major is a concentrated area of study in which students specialize during their time at college. Completing all the requirements of at least one major is required to graduate with a degree from Loyola. Here are the majors offered at LUC.

What is a minor?

A minor, like a major, is a concentrated area of study in which students specialize. However, minors are smaller credit loads than majors and are not a requirement to graduate with a degree from Loyola. Here are the minors offered at LUC.

Do I have to have a major and/or minor?

A major is required to graduate with a degree from Loyola University Chicago; a minor is not required to graduate with a degree from Loyola University Chicago.

Can I earn multiple majors and/or minors?

A student can major in multiple areas or have multiple minors. The multiple degree application form must be completed in order to declare multiple majors in different schools. If you are interested in pursuing more than one major at Loyola, consult with your academic advisor to see how multiple degrees fit into your academic plan.

How do I choose a major?

The Career Development Center offers a variety of resources for selecting your major. These range from conversation with Career Advisors, workshops and classes for exploring career interests, and resources for connecting majors to careers. The CDC also created this presentation for Major Discernment

Talk to your academic advisor about the logistics of choosing a major and planning toward graduation.
Directions for declaring your major in LOCUS can be found here.

To add/change/drop your major(s) or minor(s), please log into LOCUS and select "Change Major/Minor" within your Academics tab in your Student Center. View instructions.

What can I do with my major?

What Can I Do With This Major? - Most majors do not provide a direct path to a career, so this resource can help you generate ideas and think outside the boundary of what you already know about majors and careers. You can reach this site using the link in the Career Tools box at the lower right of the CDC homepage.

The Center for Experiential Learning (CEL): CEL offers service learning experiences and academic internships that can help you bring the knowledge gained from your major into the community to help assist you in deciding on what career path you may want to choose after you graduate.


Occupational Outlook Handbook: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles information on occupations in the US including salary, demand, location, skills and education necessary, and how to pursue that occupation.

O*NET: The US Department of Labor compiles information on the skill sets and day-to-day activities of different occupations as well as what qualifications you need in order to gain employment in those occupations on O*NET.

Major Discernment

The process of selecting a major can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Fortunately, Loyola has resources for helping you through the major and career discernment process (a.k.a determining the path or paths that connect your values to your vision for your future). We invite you to explore some frequently asked questions below, and encourage you to continue your discernment process by scheduling an appointment with your academic advisor or a career advisor. Please feel welcome, as always, to visit us virtually during Express Advising hours offered by the Office of First and Second Year Advising and the Career Development Center.