Why add a minor or second major?

A minor or second major could be a great fit for you as a way to move toward your career goals and personal interests. A few examples include:

• If you’re thinking of a career in psychology and criminology, you could consider a minor in Justice, Law and Society, or a second major in Criminology, both offered through the Department of Sociology. A minor or second major in Peace and Nonviolence would be another option.
• If you’re interested in working with preschool children, you might choose a minor/second major in Human Development and Family Studies.
• If you want to focus on neuropsychology, you might benefit from a minor or second major concentration in Biology, Chemistry or Computer Science.
• You might also want to explore a subject that has always interested you, but isn’t necessarily part of your professional goals. Some examples might be photography, anthropology, or economics.

Basic Requirements: Adding a Minor
Typically a minor is met by earning 18 credits or more in a curriculum. You should check the discipline in which you want to get a minor, in order to see if there are particular requirements (e.g., the minor in Justice, Law and Society, offered by the Sociology Department, has a set of course requirements). A minimum grade of 2.00 must be earned in the minor courses and at least 12 of the 18 credits must be at the 200 level or above. At least half of the credits required for the minor must be earned at the University of Rhode Island. General Education requirements may be used for the minor, but no course may be used for both the major and minor field of study. Minor courses may not be taken on a pass-fail basis.

Find out how to declare a minor in Psychology

To declare a minor in another department, you should contact the Chairperson of that department, or with an advisor for that department.

Related Double Majors and Minors

Below are some suggestions for minors and second majors that pair well with your psychology degree, depending on your area of interest.

Children, Youth, and Families Interests

• Communicative Disorders
• Education
• Human Development and Family Science

Clinical Psychology Interests

• Health Studies

Forensic Psychology Interests

• Justice, Law, and Society: Sociology Department (Minor Only)
• Criminology
• Chemistry

Multicultural/Social Psychology Interests

• Sociology
• Gender and Women’s Studies

Neuropsychology/Cognitive Psychology Interests

• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Communicative Disorders

Research Methodology

• Computer Science
• Statistics

Social Work

• Human Development and Family Science
• Hunger Studies (Minor Only)
• Sociology

Other Potential Directions

• Business
• Philosophy
• Art
• Music
• Pre-Med Track
• Pre-Law Track
• Nonviolence and Peace Studies (Minor Only)