Changing Your Major

At Bunker Hill Community College, students enroll in a Program of Study, also known as a major. Students change their program by completing an online form with an advisor. When students change their program, they are responsible for completing all of the required courses for the new degree.  The old degree may show in Self-Service for a semester.

Changing programs may lengthen the time needed to complete graduation requirements and may affect financial aid eligibility.

Students who have an assigned advisor through Advising & LifeMap or HOPE should make an appointment with them to discuss the new program and submit the form.

Students with a faculty or departmental advisor may start the conversation with a professor but follow up with an advisor on campus in Advising & LifeMap, schedule a virtual advising appointment, email advising@bhcc.edu or chat with an advisor in Self-Service to complete the form.

Students without an assigned advisor can meet with an advisor on campus in Advising & LifeMap, schedule a virtual advising appointment, or schedule a virtual career advising appointment.

New students who have not started classes at BHCC, will be able to change their major at a Start Now event.

Unsure What Pathway or Major is Right for You?

Trying to Decide Between Multiple Degrees?

  • Check out the Program Map to see what classes are required for the degree and get information about career and transfer pathways.
    • If you are trying to decide between programs- can you take any classes that count for both programs?
  • Use the “View New Program” feature on your My Progress page in Self-Service to see how completed and current classes fit into the new program.
    • Courses in the “Other Courses” section of your My Progress page do not meet graduation requirements.
  • Review career options related to each degree on Career Coach.
  • Watch the video about MassHire 360’s Education tab to learn about where different degrees can lead you, see related degrees, and start looking at potential 4-year schools in MA and beyond.
  • Check out BHCC’s Transfer Partnerships page and the MassTransfer website to see if there are transfer pathways for the degree you’re interested in.
  • Use the “Questions to Ask Yourself When Changing Your Major” drop down menu to guide you as you reflect on what program is right for you.
  • Fill out the Major Confirmation Worsheet to help you decide which degree is right for you!
  • Meet with your assigned advisor, or schedule a virtual advising appointment to discuss options, complete a Change of Program form and create a course plan for the upcoming semester based on the new degree.

Considering a Second Degree?

At BHCC, students are allowed to be enrolled in two degree programs at once.  If students want to enroll in two associate degrees, there must be a minimum of 15 credits of different coursework between the two degrees.  Students must complete all required courses for any and all degrees on their account to graduate.  Start by asking yourself the questions below to determine if a second degree is right for you.

  • Why do I want to add a second program?
  • What do I gain from adding this as a second program?
    • How does this help me achieve my goals?
    • What skills am I gaining by adding this program?
  • Does adding a second program extend my graduation timeline?
    • If yes, am I willing to stay an extra semester or two?
    • Is it better to stay at BHCC and complete these extra requirements, or is it better to work on this after I transfer?

Considering a Selective Program?

  • Students cannot complete a Change of Program form to change to selective admission programs such as Nursing, Medical Assistant, Sonography, or Medical Laboratory Technician. Students must submit an application.  
  • Students must complete specific courses and/or meet other requirements before applying to these programs.
  • Only students who are directly accepted into these programs will have their program changed.
  • Students who are interested in selective health programs, but haven’t completed the admissions requirements should enroll in the Health Sciences Program of Study.
  • For selective programs such as Electric Power Utility Technology and Paramedic Studies students should start in Liberal Arts.
  • Be sure to review the admissions requirements for the program you are interested in and attend an information session to learn how to apply and be a successful student in the program.

International Students
  • After submitting a form, the International Center will need to review and approve the form, which may take additional time.
  • International Center approval is required for a new I-20.

Is it Too Late to Change Your Program?

It is almost never too late to change your major, but there are some times where it may not be the right move.  To graduate- students must complete a certain amount of credits and all of the required classes for their degree.  If you are only a couple of classes away from completing a degree, it may not be the best time to change.

Sometimes changing your major means taking an extra summer course but sometimes it means staying an extra year.  Think about the pros/cons of that extra time.  What are the academic, transfer, and career benefits of staying?  What is the financial impact of staying longer? 

If you are transferring to a four-year school consider: how many credits they will accept, if you can change your major at that school, or if you can major and minor there.  You may even be able to double major!

Questions to Ask Yourself When Changing Your Major:

  • Why do I want to change from my current program?
  • Is there a specific program I want to change to? Why or why not?
  • What do I know about this program?
  • What are the pros and cons of changing my major?
  • What information do I need to know about this major to make me confident in my decision?
  • What types of classes will I need to take if I change my program?
  • How do my academic strengths and weaknesses fit with this degree?
  • How many credits have I already completed? Will changing extend my timeline to graduation? 
  • What are the potential career paths related to this degree?
  • How does this degree help me achieve my goals?
  • Is there one specific major I need to be in to achieve my academic and career goals, or do I have more than one option?
  • Who, at BHCC, can I talk with to learn more about this degree path?
  • What BHCC resources can I use to explore new programs and careers related to them?
  • Fill out the Major Confirmation Worksheet to help you decide which degree is right for you!

Myths About Majors

My Major Determines My Career Path

For some career paths, you must have a specific major.  For example, you must enroll in a Nursing program to pursue a Nursing career.  However, if you wanted to be a lawyer, you could be enrolled in any degree, as long as you successfully complete the LSAT and are accepted to a law school.  It’s important to consider the skills you’ll have by the end of your degree and how those can be transferrable.  You can learn more about skills and the careers they are connected to by completing the Skills Match activity on Career Coach.

I’m the Only One Who Hasn’t Decided on a Major

You aren’t the only one who may not know what to enroll in.  Many students are still making up their minds and changing their degree.  Data from 2013 shows that 20% of first year college students enroll in undecided (or Liberal Arts at BHCC), and 80% of students change their major at least once.

Ghilani, Mary E. “Dispelling Common Career Myths.” How to Choose Your Major, Bloomsbury, New York, NY, 2017.

I Can’t Change my Major After the First Semester/Year

Many students think that once they complete a semester or two, they are locked into that program for good.  This is not true!  Students can technically change their major at any time, but it’s usually better to change earlier rather than later.  If you aren’t enjoying your degree specific courses, check out Career Coach and talk with an advisor about your options. 

I Can Only Change My Major Once

Students sometimes think that if they change their major they are locked into that major.  Students can change their major more than once, and they can change it back to their original major.  However, make sure to talk with an advisor before changing your major to help minimize the number of changes.  Data shows that an average college student changes their major three times.  

Ghilani, Mary E. “Dispelling Common Career Myths.” How to Choose Your Major, Bloomsbury, New York, NY, 2017.

A Career Assessment Will Tell Me What to Do

Career assessments, like the Career Coach Interest Assessment, or the MassHire 360 Career Cluster Inventory can’t tell you what to do.  Only you can decide what to do with your life, but an assessment can connect you with careers based on your interests and the work environment that is the best fit for you.  Talk with an advisor before taking a career assessment to get the /most accurate results, and again after it’s completed to discuss what the results mean to you.