Academic Minor Guidance

Before writing a minor proposal, the creator should:

• Review the department’s curriculum development procedures.
• Review existing minors to ensure the proposed minor offers unique learning opportunities and outcomes. 
• Include program student learning outcomes in the proposal.
• Ensure the minor offers a minimum of 5 courses.
• Consult any department impacted by course scheduling.
• Identify on the proposal the official minor coordinator(s).
• Make certain that faculty who are considering serving as minor coordinators are aware of the responsibilities and workload: 
  
  • Serve as the contact for students who are interested in the minor or who are actively pursuing it
  • Communicate with students in the minor about upcoming offerings, program changes, or events connected to the minor
  • Represent and help publicize the minor
  • Review (and approve or deny) new courses for the minor
  • Occasionally attend meetings set up for minor coordinators
• Once approved by the Department and the School, the proposal can then be submitted via CIM
• Submit the minor proposal curricular action into CIM
• CWCC reviews and makes a recommendation
• The Deans Curriculum Committee gives the final approval

For interdisciplinary minors, please note:

• A conversation between Departments and Deans should be held before it is submitted to the School for approval.
• The proposal must identify a home department and official minor coordinator(s). It is recommended that a representative curriculum committee for the interdisciplinary minor be formed with representation from all participating departments.
• Faculty from all departments with courses included in the minor will be eligible to serve as the minor coordinator.
• Support from all participating departments should be obtained before the submission of minor creation action. 

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• Newly approved minors can be updated on the FIT website immediately, but the official catalog is published once per academic year. 
• Students who are qualified to declare can proceed as soon as the minor information is published on the website.
• Minor courses that have not run in two years should be reviewed. The goal is to ensure that students can develop a realistic plan that aligns the completion of a minor with their current major degree program when they declare the minor.
• Minor coordinators are encouraged to provide lists of available minor courses to both the Academic Advisement Center and student listserv before students begin registration.
• For interdisciplinary minors, all departments involved are encouraged to participate in the discussions of minor curriculum updates.
• It is recommended that minor(s) with no enrollment or completion in four years be reviewed by the minor coordinator and department(s) participating in the minor.
• When there is a change in minor coordinator(s), inform the Office of Academic Affairs.

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• Visit the Academic Advisement Center in room C402 or email [email protected] to explore minor options, declare a minor, and create the best plan of action for completing the required coursework.
• Students may begin to take courses toward a minor as early as the second semester of the AAS degree program.
• Students may officially declare a minor
  • after admission to a bachelor's degree program and
  • after completing at least one (1) course toward the minor
• Students must complete five (5) courses as outlined in the minor (which usually adds up to 15 course credits).
• Students may transfer up to six (6) credits/two (2) courses for any academic minor.
• There is a limit of three (3) minors per undergraduate degree.
• Students must complete 3 of 5 distinct unique courses per minor (This means 2 of 5 courses can overlap with courses in another minor or courses required in the major area.) Minors cannot be earned in the same discipline as the major.
• Upon successful completion of the selected course credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA, your minor will be recorded on your transcript.
• A minor must be completed by the time you graduate.

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