The University Academic Advising Discovery Program offers specialized advising for students who are still deciding about their programs of study, who are in transition between two majors or who have not yet declared a major. Discovery program advisers help undeclared students consider educational options and make appropriate choices based on personal interests, skills and abilities, values, and professional goals.
Meta majors
Students enrolled in the undeclared major at VCU will select a “meta major” concentration until successful admission into a degree program. The meta major structure is designed to support students as they explore related major areas and provide a plan of study for the first academic year. The undeclared major is not a degree-granting program, so students cannot complete a degree in any of the “meta-major” concentrations. As students successfully complete courses and other admissions requirements, students and advisers will determine a time frame to apply for admission into a degree-granting program at VCU.
Undeclared – Arts
Students in the arts meta major are interested in pursuing a program offered through the VCU's School of the Arts. These programs include: art education, art history, cinema, communication arts, craft and material studies, dance and choreography, fashion design, fashion merchandising, graphic design, interior design, kinetic imaging, music, painting and printmaking, photography and film, sculpture and extended media, and theatre.
Students in the arts meta major complete recommended courses in the first two semesters required for the School of the Arts, alongside the VCU core curriculum and general education program. The recommended courses serve as a guide to students for the best path toward graduation, in as timely a fashion as possible. If a student is still undecided after their first year, they should work closely with their academic adviser to create a customized plan of study for the second year. Students might choose to take additional courses over the summer to catch up or get ahead if the courses they need are offered.
All arts meta major applicants to the VCU School of the Arts must submit a change of major application online. This online application asks for personal and contact information, current and preferred curriculum, a personal statement, extracurricular activities, one to three recommenders’ emails and required supplemental materials (audition, essays, portfolio). Students can view the additional application requirements for their major of interest on the School of Arts website.
Undeclared – Business
Students in the business meta major are interested in pursuing a program offered through the VCU's School of the Business. These programs include: accounting, business, economics, finance, financial technology, information systems, marketing, and real estate.
Students in the business meta major complete recommended courses in the first two semesters that align with School of Business majors, alongside the VCU core curriculum and general education program. The recommended courses serve as a guide to students for the best path toward graduation, in as timely a fashion as possible. If a student is still undecided after their first year, they should work closely with their academic adviser to create a customized plan of study for the second year. Students might choose to take additional courses over the summer to catch up or get ahead if the courses they need are offered.
All business meta major applicants to the VCU School of Business must attend a virtual change of major information session to request a change of major into the Business Foundation program.
Undeclared – Humanities
Students in the humanities meta major are interested in pursuing a humanities-related program offered through VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences. These programs include: English, foreign language, gender, sexuality and women’s studies, history, international studies, philosophy, and religious studies.
Students in the humanities meta major complete recommended courses in the first two semesters required for the VCU core curriculum alongside the general education program for the College of Humanities and Sciences. The recommended courses serve as a guide to students for the best path toward graduation, in as timely a fashion as possible. If a student is still undecided after their first year, they should work closely with their academic adviser to create a customized plan of study for the second year. Students might choose to take additional courses over the summer to catch up or get ahead if the courses they need are offered.
Undeclared – Social sciences
Students in the social sciences meta major are interested in pursuing a social science-related program offered at VCU. These programs include: African American studies, anthropology, criminal justice, economics*, education*, homeland security and emergency preparedness, mass communications*, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and urban and regional studies.
Students in the social sciences meta major complete recommended courses in the first two semesters that include a foundation in social science as well as courses required for the VCU core curriculum and general education program. The recommended courses serve as a guide to students for the best path toward graduation, in as timely a fashion as possible. If a student is still undecided after their first year, they should work closely with their academic adviser to create a customized plan of study for the second year. Students might choose to take additional courses over the summer to catch up or get ahead if the courses they need are offered.
*Please consult with your adviser as these programs have unique requirements compared to others within the same meta major.
Undeclared – STEM-H
Students in the STEM-H meta major are interested in pursuing a science-, technology-, engineering-, math- or health-related program offered at VCU. These programs include:biology, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering*, chemical and life science engineering*, chemistry, computer engineering*, computer science*, electrical engineering*, environmental studies, forensic science, health, physical education and exercise science, mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering*, physics, interdisciplinary science, secondary education and teaching with a concentration in engineering, and statistics.
Students in the STEM-H meta major complete recommended courses in the first two semesters that include math and science foundations as well as courses required for the VCU core curriculum and general education program. The recommended courses serve as a guide to students for the best path toward graduation, in as timely a fashion as possible. If a student is still undecided after their first year, they should work closely with their academic adviser to create a customized plan of study for the second year. Students might choose to take additional courses over the summer to catch up or get ahead if the courses they need are offered.
*Please consult with your adviser as these programs have unique requirements compared to others within the same meta major.
Undeclared – Discovery
Students in the discovery meta major are interested in a multitude of programs at VCU and should work closely with their academic adviser to decide on their path of study.
Students in the discovery meta major complete recommended courses in the first two semesters that include courses required for the VCU core curriculum and general education program. The recommended courses serve as a guide to students for the best path toward graduation, in as timely a fashion as possible. If a student is still undecided after their first year, they should work closely with their academic adviser to create a customized plan of study for the second year. Students might choose to take additional courses over the summer to catch up or get ahead if the courses they need are offered.
Academic advising
Discovery program advisers offer a blend of individual and group advising sessions and workshops to assist students who have not yet declared a major or who are being transitioned out of competitive standing programs. Advisers assist all undeclared students with monitoring their academic progress, course scheduling, interpreting university regulations and procedures and maximizing their academic success. In addition, each semester the Discovery program offers UNIV 103, a class that concentrates on careers, educational opportunities and the development of student potential. Advisers also provide alternative advising options for students who do not qualify for, or are not admissible to, their preferred programs of study. By considering alternatives, students will uncover options that they can find personally, educationally and professionally fulfilling.
Students must declare majors within one of the university’s schools or colleges no later than the semester in which they complete 60 credits.
Transition Policy
Students who have 60 or more earned credits will be transitioned from the undeclared major to Interdisciplinary Studies. Upon earning their 60th credit at the end of a given semester students, who have not already declared a major, will automatically transition to interdisciplinary studies at the start of the following semester.
Interdisciplinary Studies offers a number of creatively designed pathways to graduation. Upon transitioning to interdisciplinary studies, students will not lose any of their earned credits; instead, those credits will help guide the selection of a pathway that will incorporate the student's completed coursework and new coursework from across disciplines that are of particular interest to the student. This step will not only allow students to stay on track to graduate in a timely manner, but open up new opportunities to pursue an individualized degree that aligns with their goals for the future.
Please note, transitioning to interdisciplinary studies does not mean students can no longer declare an alternate major. Students may still declare an alternate major with the exception of undeclared.
Students nearing 60 credits who may need additional support with major selection are strongly encouraged to meet with their Discovery adviser and also visit Career Services.
Changing to undeclared from another major
Students planning to transition to an undeclared major should complete the online Change of Major Form.
For more information on advising programs, visit the UAA website or call (804) 827-8648.