Complement your major by pursuing a minor or certificate in an additional area or field. 

Minors and certificates provide you with an outstanding opportunity to pursue structured studies in interdisciplinary fields of interest. Students in the Classes of 2025 and beyond can pursue up to two (2) minors/certificates. If you want to pursue more than two, you must petition to your assistant dean for studies or dean and demonstrate the importance of the minor to your course of study.

Is Getting a Minor or Certificate Right for You?

Pursue a certificate or minor if you feel it will enrich your academic experience and teach you valuable skills, not because you feel that you must. Recent data suggests that about 60% of students choose to get one or more certificates, but that leaves 40% who didn't pursue one. 

Weigh Your Options

Admission and Requirements

Unlike majors—which are mandatory in both B.S.E. and A.B. degrees and selected at standard times—minors and certificates are optional. Each program sets its own deadlines for admission, which can happen as early as spring of sophomore year and may include prerequisites or an application process. Some programs, such as Finance or Global Health and Health Policy, require you to apply at the end of sophomore year. Others offer more flexible deadlines.

Many require independent work in senior year as well as coursework, so it is almost always necessary to apply before the beginning of senior year. Requirements vary widely, so consult the Undergraduate Announcement, program website, and program directors for specifics.