First of all, I would like to start by saying I just recently joined Mamapedia. Normally I'm a freak about grammar and spelling. But DH bought me a Kindle Fire for Mother's Day.. LOVE IT BTW! But trying to get used to the touch screen keypad is driving me mad! So if my posts are off, that's why. :)
Now, to my question... I'm currently just over a year into a 4 year BA degree for Early Childhood Education. I wanted to change my degree to Child Development. My advisor told me to gear my electives to Child Development and do a double major. Or I could add Child Development as a minor. However, I'm considering adding Pyschology as a minor. What would you all do? My current thought is to do a double major AND minor. That is allowed, isn't it? Please share any experiences that may help me make this decision. Thanks! :)
ETA: There is very little difference in the Early Childhood Education and Child Development degrees. This is why my advisor suggested I use my electives for a double major. It wouldn't put any extra time on my schooling. Adding a minor on top of it would, though.
Oh, and Alien- thanks for the welcome. I'm the mother of 2 beautiful, wonderful princesses. Hence, PrincessMomma. I'm the Queen of this castle. HAHA! ;-)
Do the double major, fit in some psych classes when you can. If it adds up to a minor, great. If not, you can re-evaluate whether you want to spend another semester or whatever wrapping up a minor. I had a double major and I thinks it bulks up my resume nicely. In fact, I think it helped me get into law school, so something to consider if you may want a grad degree.
The answer, as with most decisions, depends on a cost benefit analysis.
It is going to cost X amount of time and money to add that minor, along with double majoring.
The benefit is what?
What career do you want to pursue and will this minor help get you there? Is it required or just helpful? Is it something employers are looking for? Or just because it makes you sound wicked smart? If that is a reason, list it. Be honest with what is motivating you, as well as, what the costs and benefits are.
You can do whatever you want so long as you are willing to put in the time. I graduated with a double major, a minor and a masters. :) I is smart! :p
One major and masters was accounting, the second major was information technology management. I went full major because it was only a one class difference to move it from minor to major. At that point there was no way I could move psych to a major so I left it a minor. 178 hours in four years was enough to prove to myself I could do college. :)
Hope my rambling helped.
Oh I graduated in 2010.
Hi P., welcome to Mamapedia!
First of all, congratulations on working toward your degree - it is not an easy task as a mother!
I am a double majoring and it was the best decision I have made. Every program is different and require a different amount of completed credits to graduate.
Originally I wanted to take one major, and then minor in something fun that I enjoyed and that would not be overwhelming (art, music, etc) - this way I would still complete enough credits without getting burned out.
Well, after meeting with my adviser, for just a few more credits than I would be dedicating to a minor, I could complete another major.
For example, to graduate with my degree I need 125 hours. 60 of those are solely dedicated to my major. Because my other major is closely related, I only need to dedicate 15 credits to complete a double major (or 12 if I wanted to minor). 3 more credits is worth it to me to be about to earn my bachelor's degree in 2 areas.
Weigh your options including the hours needed for the minor, the major, how much time you want to spend in school, etc and find out what works best for you! your adviser should be able to help you with this decision as well.
Good luck!
Do the double major as long as you can still finish in 4 years. (I also double majored and am glad I did). If it is overwhelming to add the psych minor and you don't have a job with tuition reimbursement right now, then perhaps save that to pursue as continuing education after you graduate and have a job with tuition reimbursement. You may not have enough elective options to let you double major plus minor and still meet all the degree requirements. That's your primarily limitation, but the other part is that your classes will get more difficult as you get into the program. Plus, if you have to do a semester of student teaching, that will also limit how your classes are scheduled and what you have available.
UPDATE: I did do my double major in 4 years and also spent a semester overseas. It can be done if you plan for it. Also, your answer will depend on what you are planning for a career. If you are planning to be an elementary ed teacher, the double major may be more than necessary initially. If you are planning to be a chid therapist of some type, then the double major makes sense as the education degree isn't exactly what is needed in that role.
From my own personal experience, I would suggest you do the double major AND the minor. People who have educations in Psychology are in high demand right now. I know because my daughter finished her Master's in Counseling 6 months ago, is gainfully employed, and is still constantly being offered jobs! When I went to college for my first four years, I majored in Political Science and had a concentration in Economics. I now wish I had just double majored instead. Many years after that, I spent a fifth year in college to get a teaching license. I also have 27 hours of graduate credits so far. Unfortunately, I have not focused on my Master's enough, and have credits in many different areas of teaching. Anyway, take your education as far as you can. It will open many doors for you, both economically and socially. Best of luck in your studies!
K.
Licensed Teacher
Mother of two grown children
A double major typically adds a year onto your college.
Double major is impressive, but it is more common in the education field.
Nobody will care except for your first job out of college.
If it were me, I'd pick either based on your love or income. Is there one major you LOVE, but the other is more attuned to being hired in a specific field.
I majored in what I love, and then found a way (after grad school) to make money at it. My life (sober life, that is) couldn't be any better.
However, my "trade school" wasn't college. College was just the necessary stepping stone to my "trade school". If college is your "trade school" (carpenters, doctors, plumbers, lawyers, teachers, etc) all have to attend a school to learn their trade, so make them all equal I refer to them in this manner - meaning it is the last degree you earn before setting sail for adult life)
Sorry - If college is your final degree, your "trade school" - then make sure you've invested your money wisely. And make sure what you're investing in is something you enjoy. :)
In general higher learning instituttions will allow you to do what ever you want as long as you are footing the bill. I double major is great but here in this state you would be best served getting your undergraduate degree along with a Masters degree. My friends who are in Education all have one or more master's degree. Also a few of my 20-30 something friends are getting their BA and Master's degrees simultaneously. I'm not sure how this works but they are certainly doing it.
I had a double major but work in neither field. Go figure but I do like knowing what I know. The choice is yours but I would go for what would look better on the resume.
What is your end goal for this training? Will one track help you in that end goal more than the other?
I'm currently working on a double major in biology and physics, and double minor in secondary education and chemistry! I have a almost 3 year old little girl, and overall it's tough. but if it won't take much longer do the double major and the minor! If you're interested in all three there is no reason to worry about it taking a semester or two longer to finish! On top of that it makes you even more qualified!
This might not answer your question, but I doubled majored and had NO minor. Some of the prerequisite classes applied to both. Biology and Psychology.
A funny thing about Psychology (this was from 1994-1998, so I don't know if things have changed): I added Psych when I was a junior. I had taken Calculus 1 in my freshman year. Psych major required Calculus 2. I couldn't fit it in until the second semester of my senior year, and had forgotten practically all of Calculus 1. Therefore, Calc 2 wasn't pretty.
Good luck! And make sure you know what ALL your required classes will be... :)
