Joining the Major

I've read the information on the main undergraduate page, and I'm interested in changing my major to Global Studies! Where do I start?

Change of major requests (including declaring Pre-Global Studies, applying to the full major after completing pre-major coursework, and double major requests) are initiated through the Student Success Hub major change petition.

If you having trouble accessing the correct petition link, we have a help document here.

 

 
Requests are processed once a week, typically on Fridays. As long as you submit by end of day Thursday, in most cases, your request will be processed by that Friday, with the exception of applications to the full major, which are approved only after final pre-major course grades are released. 

If you have not seen your major change take effect by 10 days after you submitted the request (excepting applications to the full major, which are held until final pre-major course grades are released), please email us at global-advising@ucsb.edu.

Special notes for students joining the Pre-Global Studies major:

You will begin with the pre-major, and you will plan to apply to the full major (with a new Student Success Hub major change petition) during the last quarter in which you are finishing pre-major courses. 

Three important notes as you get started in the pre-major:

1) We process change of major requests approximately once weekly, so if you are in the middle of a registration pass time and are blocked from major courses, plan to fill your schedule with other needs (consult your progress check and major sheet) and swap classes as needed once your entry into the pre-major is confirmed on GOLD. If you are also declaring a double major with another department at the same time, there may be additional delays.

2) As a pre-major, plan to save upper division department courses for after you have been approved to join the full major. This often means that students need to plan for a "gap quarter" to work on non-major requirements for the quarter directly after they finish pre-major coursework. For schedule ideas when you're in this phase of pre-major completion, look at page two of this document.

3) You do not need to finish the prep for the major areas before you declare the full major (including the foreign language requirement.)

 

 

Special notes for students joining the (full) Global Studies major:

Three important notes:

1) Aside from applications to the full major (see item 2 below), we process change of major requests approximately once weekly, so if you are in the middle of a registration pass time and are blocked from major courses, plan to fill your schedule with other needs (consult your progress check and major sheet) and swap classes as needed once your entry into the pre-major is confirmed on GOLD. If you are also declaring a double major with another department at the same time, there may be additional delays.

2) If you are a current pre-major and currently enrolled in your last pre-major courses, we will hold your submission until the end of the quarter so that we can confirm final GPAs and pre-major course completion. This may have implications for registration for next quarter’s courses (keep reading note number 3.)

3) Please plan to save upper division Global Studies department courses for after you have been approved to join the full major. This often means that students need to plan for a "gap quarter" to work on non-major requirements or area IIB/III courses for the quarter directly after they finish pre-major coursework. In some cases, students who have recently been approved to join the full major can enroll in upper division Global Studies department courses during pass 3 if they still have space. For other schedule ideas when you're in this phase of recent pre-major completion, look at page two of this document.

 

Additional helpful information as you join the major:

  1. We recommend running your Major and GE Progress Check on GOLD (under the Progress tab) for the "Pre-Global Studies" major and check the major requirements sheet (keep reading - link further down) to see what courses and requirements you have and have not completed towards the pre-major and prep for the major requirements:
     


     

  2. Decide if you want to book an appointment (for longer questions/more complex situations) or attend drop-in advising (quick questions and clarifications) to discuss your change of major questions. Visit this page for all advising contact info, or email us quick questions at global-advising@ucsb.edu.
     
  3. What classes should you take while you're waiting for a major change to become official?