The exact process of declaring a major depends on the major.   There are three categories of major choices for Associate in Arts students: 2+2 majors; “Open” majors; and Restricted Majors.

2+2 Majors are those that can be completed in 2 years following completion of the Associate in Arts Degree.  Seats in these majors are guaranteed to Associate in Arts Degree holders.  Our academic advisors can provide course templates showing how to complete these majors with 2 years in the Associate Program followed by 2 years of courses in Newark.  There are currently 30 majors in this category, including the most popular majors chosen by Associate in Arts students:

Seats in “Open” Majors are guaranteed to any student at UD who has at least a 2.0 gpa, including all Associate in Arts degree recipients, since earning the Associate Degree requires a 2.0 minimum gpa. Because of required course sequences, these majors may take more than 2 years to complete after the Associate Degree. We recommend taking appropriate courses during Summer and Winter Sessions to stay on track toward timely completion of ‘Open” Majors, and regular advisement is important to make sure that students develop a plan for timely completion of any of the ‘Open” Majors. More than 75 majors are currently considered “Open” Majors; the list may change from time to time.

Examples of "Open" Majors currently include:

Restricted Majors are restricted because they have a limited number of seats available, typically because of laboratory or other hands-on courses, or because of activities such as Student Teaching or internships.  Entry into these majors is competitive and selective, with selection based primarily on grades earned in courses at UD, including Associate in Arts courses. Associate in Arts students compete for seats on equal terms with students from the Newark campus who wish to change their major. Some Restricted Majors may require completion of certain gateway courses, a minimum gpa, or other requirements prior to application, andtThere may be a special paper or online application.  There are currently about 27 majors in this category, but the list of Restricted Majors may change from time to time.  See the current list of Restricted Majors at www.udel.edu/registrar/restmajorsinfo.html

All the courses needed to enter a particular major may not be available at all Associate Degree Program sites. Upon admission, students will receive more information about the course combinations that lead to specific majors and their availability at the various sites.

Associate Degree Program graduates may continue study for a limited number of University of Delaware bachelor's degree programs that are offered in Milford and Georgetown, so long as they meet the requirements for admission to the particular majors offered at those locations.  The majors that can be completed through four years of study in Southern Delaware include the major in Criminal Justice leading to the BA (Georgetown), the major in Agriculture and Natural Resources leading to the BS (Georgetown), and the Major in Elementary Teacher Education leading to the BS (Milford).  In addition, completion of the Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the R.N. (B.R.N.) are offered through online study.

Some Delaware students who initially apply and are accepted to the Newark campus for pursuit of a four-year Bachelors degree may choose to take early coursework at Associate in Arts Program sites. Four-year degree candidates are charged full UD tuition, not the discounted rate for the Associate in Arts Program, and are not eligible for SEED Scholarships.  Students should make their intentions known at the time of application, so that the timetable for moving to the Newark campus for completion of their bachelor degree can be included in the letter of acceptance.  In most cases, we recommend that students who are admitted to Newark should enroll there.