Declaring a Major
Undergraduate students who wish to declare a major should contact their academic advisor for guidance. Upon the student discussing the intended major with their advisor, both the student and their advisor will complete the Major Declaration form which will notify the Service Center to adjust your student record in declaring the student into the appropriate major.
A student can perform a What-If audit in Degree Works to see exactly where they stand in a new major and any remaining requirements before declaring.
Beginning Fall 2024 - Direct Entry
SIUE's University leadership announced that beginning in Fall 2024, SIUE will offer direct entry to all incoming first-year and new transfer students. This important change in our current admissions and major declaration practices is intended to ensure greater connections and opportunities for identity-building in Years 1 and 2 for all incoming students. As we work together to support incoming undergraduate students, we will focus on creating a stronger sense of connection and belonging, increasing intentional engagement points, building clearer and more flexible pathways, supporting progression, and improving retention.
What do we mean by Direct Entry?
Several schools, for example, Nursing, Engineering, Business, and Education, Health and Human Behavior, already have some direct entry processes in place. We will continue using the term direct entry but will expand this opportunity to enable all students to directly declare their chosen majors. With a few defined exceptions, such as required auditions and capacity restrictions based on accreditation or licensure, all students will have the opportunity to be directly admitted into their majors.
You may also hear Direct Entry referred to as direct admissions or declaration of the major.
What if I don't know what I want to major I want to pursue?
Students who do not know yet what major they want to pursue upon admission will be classified as “Exploratory” (as opposed to the currently used classification of Undeclared). Exploratory students will have the same support noted above as we help students consider the wide range of options, including those that may not even be known to them upon arrival. Exploratory students may choose a Meta-Major to allow them to explore a combination of academic majors from different academic areas with related courses that fit within a career area. Academic Advising will work with them to navigate their informed choice with intentionality until they are ready to declare a major.
How will Direct Entry affect me?
It is the University's goal to enhance student-faculty engagement, streamline academic pathways, improve graduation rates, align best practices, foster a commitment to exploration, and connect students with their interests and career goals.
