Updates to the Bachelor's Degree Requirements, Multiple Majors & Degrees and the Major Declaration Policies

After reviewing policies on bachelor's degree requirements, double majors and degrees, and major declaration, in March 2024, the Office of the Registrar proposed updates to clarify requirements, consolidate information and eliminate restrictive rules like unit and timing constraints for sequential degrees. These changes support timely graduation and help students make informed decisions aligned with their academic goals by aligning standards across all pathways and reducing administrative complexities. 

The updated policies were approved by the Undergraduate Council, Undergraduate College Academic Administrators Council, the Faculty Senate, and the Provost during the spring of 2025. Amendments to the policy include: 

Streamlining Degree Requirements 

Aligning the requirements for multiple majors and multiple degrees ensures comparable academic standards across pathways. By consolidating requirements, students can make program decisions based on their academic interests and goals rather than logistical constraints. 

• A minimum of 120 total units and the required completion of all major, minor, and general education requirements for each degree applies to sequential degrees, concurrent degrees, and multiple majors. 
• Sequential degrees and concurrent degrees require a minimum of 18 units of unique university credit for each degree. 
• Students pursuing sequential degrees that require completion of a minor may, with program approval, use their first degree to satisfy the minor requirement of the second degree. For concurrent degrees, students may replace a required minor in one degree with their other degree, with program approval. This aligns multiple degrees with the treatment of multiple majors and provides equity across all degree pathways. 

Modernizing timing requirements for completion of sequential degrees 

The restrictive unit and timing requirements for sequential degrees have been removed, allowing students to graduate on schedule without penalty. Students are no longer limited in how many units for the second degree can be completed before their first degree is conferred. 

Enhanced Clarity 

The unified policy now features a table with the three different scenarios for multiple majors/degrees. Presenting multiple majors, sequential degrees, and concurrent degrees in a single policy with a clear table of options will enable students and advisors to compare pathways more effectively. 

Administrative Simplification 

Procedural elements, such as the dean's office approval for major changes, have been removed to simplify processes and enhance flexibility. Students wishing to change their major should use the Advising Resource Center's directory to connect with their intended college or major. Additionally, eliminating manual monitoring processes will remove unnecessary administrative burdens that have no academic benefit. 

Policy Titles and Structure

To better reflect the content, the policy titles, Bachelor's Degree Candidacy & Related Information has been renamed Bachelor's Degree Requirements, Multiple Majors & Degrees, and Change of Major or College has been renamed Major Declaration. 

The amended Bachelor's Degree Requirements, Multiple Majors & Degrees policy will be effective for students starting at the University of Arizona in spring 2025. Continuing undergraduate students who would benefit from the updated policy may change their catalog year per the Choice of Catalog policy. The policy can be read in full online.

The amended Major Declaration policy will be effective for all undergraduate students in spring 2025, and can be read in full on the Catalog website.

Questions about these policy updates should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at catalog@arizona.edu.