Declare A Major

Students are required to declare a major upon earning 45 credits.  New transfer students who matriculate as sophomores, juniors, or seniors must declare a major during their first semester.

 All students must satisfy the requirements of a declared major in order to earn a degree from Stony Brook University. Major requirements are detailed in the “Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs” section of the Bulletin. 

Procedure to Declare a Major

• College of Arts & Sciences
  Select the major that most interests you, and one in which you believe you will do well academically. If you are unsure of what major to choose, you are encouraged to speak with an advisor in Academic & Transfer Advising Services office located in Suite 105, Stony Brook Union.  Once you have decided on a major fill out the Major /Minor Change form in SOLAR under the section, Student's Records and Registration section during the Major/Minor declaration time frame as noted in the Academic Calendar.  Within three days, check your Degree Works Report and the Unofficial Transcript to ensure  that the major has been posted. For more information on the CAS majors and minors, click here.
• College of Business
  Students must meet the admissions requirements to apply to the College of Business as a major.  More information on declaring the major is available on the College of Business website or call (631) 632-7171.
• College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
  The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) offers majors and minors in: Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Molecular Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Information Systems, Mechanical Engineering, and Technological Systems Management. Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the CEAS Undergraduate Student Office, 231 Engineering Building to discuss your eligibility to pursue the intended major or minor.  Students looking to declare any major or minor in the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences must do so via this application form.  Once you submit this application, your request will be reviewed and you will be notified via email about the status.  Please note that all admissions decisions are final.  For more information on the CEAS majors and minors, click here.
• Health Science Major
  If you plan to major in the Bachelor of Science in Health Science, you must attend a mandatory online video workshop and complete a post-video survey.  The video workshop will provide a detailed overview of the Health Science major.  To obtain more information about the Health Science major and to sign up for the virtual workshop, click here. 
• School of Communication and Journalism
  To declare a major in the School of Communication and Journalism fill out the Major /Minor Change form  made available in SOLAR under the Student Records & Registration section during the Major/Minor declaration time frame as noted in the Academic Calendar.  Within three days, check your Degree Works Report and the Unofficial Transcript to ensure  that the major has been posted to the record.  For more information on the Mass Communication major and minor and the Journalism major and minor, click here.
• School of Marine & Atmospheric Science
  The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences  offers majors and minors in: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Coastal Environmental Studies, Ecosystems and Human Impact, Environmental Design, Policy and Planning, Environmental Humanities, Environmental Studies, Marine Sciences, Marine Vertebrate Biology and Sustainability Studies.  To declare one of these majors or minors in the School of Marine & Atmospheric Science  fill out the Major /Minor Change form  made available in SOLAR under Student Records & Registration section during the Major/Minor declaration time frame as noted in the Academic Calendar.  Within three days, check your Degree Works Report and the Unofficial Transcript to ensure  that the major has been posted to the record. For more information on majors and minors housed in the School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, click here.
• Pre-Major Area of Interest (AOI)
  If you have an AOI or GBM noted on your transcript, it is not considered an academic major by neither Stony Brook University nor  NY State Excelsior Scholarship, nor the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). If you are an Excelsior or TAP recipient, you are required to officially declare a major upon earning 57 credits.   For more information about  Excelsior and TAP, click here.
• Programs in the School of Health Technology and Management

  The professional programs in the School of Health Technology and Management require a separate application process and procedure.   

  The undergraduate programs in the School of Health Technology and Management and for the School of Nursing, School of Social Welfare are limited-admission, junior/senior level programs. Continuing and transfer students who wish to enter one of these programs must formally apply for admission after completing the appropriate course and credit requirements.

  The School of Health Technology and Management offers four programs that students can declare as a major beginning in freshman year:  Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Health Science, Polysomnographic Technology and Respiratory Care,  Students in these programs are advanced to the upper-division level after successful completion of program prerequisites.

  Students interested in any of the undergraduate health professions are strongly encouraged to identify themselves by officially declaring an area of interest (AOI).  For more detailed information about the Health Sciences programs, click here.

  Clinical Laboratory Sciences 

  Health Science 

  Polysomnographic Technology Program

  Respiratory Care

  School of Nursing (2 year) 

  School of Social Work (BSW)