Change of Major

Welcome back! If you have previously been a student and have not submitted an application to reapply for the upcoming semester, please fill out a free admissions application. You will be able to update your major when you reapply. Any time a student takes a semester off or applies but does not attend classes, the student needs to reapply. 

Please fill out a free admissions application for the semester you would like to attend. You will be able to update your major when you reapply. 

If you are a dual enrollment student, you do not need to declare a major. 

Dual enrollment students in the process of applying as a first-time, degree-seeking student need to fill out a free admissions application. You will be able to declare a major when you apply as a first-time, degree-seeking student. 

An AA (Associate of Arts) degree requires a foreign language. An AS (Associate of Science) degree does not require a foreign language.

AA and AS degrees are designed to transfer to a university. An AAS. (Associate of Applied Science) degree is not designed to transfer to a four-year institution. If you complete an AAS degree but want to attend a university, you may have more general education requirements to complete either at Walters State or at the university level. AAS degrees prepare students for careers in the field of study.

Once a student has earned one of the following degree types [Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AA), or Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)], he/she cannot earn a second degree in another major (i.e. Psychology, Business, etc.) within any of these three degree types. For example, a student cannot earn an Associate of Science in Business and an Associate of Arts in English. The reason is these degree types are too closely related. They share 38-41 common general education credit courses and there just is not enough differences to justify a second degree. Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is different because it is not intended to transfer and there are less general education classes and more concentration classes in the programs. Thus, a student can earn an AA, AS or AFA and also an AAS degree. However, there must be 16 credit hours different in the two majors in order to earn a second degree. The Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) can also be obtained with another degree. Again, there must be 16 credit hours difference in the two majors. Students may earn multiple certificates in conjunction with a degree. 

If you are unsure of a major and want to see how changing your major will affect your degree path/courses taken, you may try the “What If?” analysis in Degree Works, accessible through your MyWS account. 

However, it is recommended but not required that you speak with an academic advisor if you have questions about changing your major. Please call 423.318.2337.

This question is very common as students explore their academic and career options! 

• You can view our areas of study or catalog to view majors we offer.
• If you already have a few majors that interest you, you can contact our office at 423.318.2337 so we can connect you with the best people to discuss those programs.
• If you have no idea which major or program interests you, that is okay! We have an assessment and an advisor just for you! Please view the Focus2 Career Assessment information on this page and give us a call at 423.318.2337 for more information.