Advising Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that isn’t covered on this page? Contact the CLAS Academic Services Center.

Degree Options, Majors, and Minors

The CLAS Academic Services Center has staff members who are authorized to sign on behalf of the CLAS dean. Stop by the Center’s main office in the Rowe Center for Undergraduate Education, room 130, to obtain a dean’s signature. Please be aware that you may need to make an appointment to meet with an advisor to potentially obtain a signature.

Once you formally declare your major, you will be assigned an advisor in that major. Your advisor’s contact information is listed on your student center page in the Student Administration System. You can also search our advising directory for the appropriate contact for your major. 

To formally declare or change your major in CLAS, please fill out the CLAS Online Program Change Form. Looking for more program information? Visit the Majors and Minors page. 

To formally declare a CLAS minor, please fill out the CLAS Online Program Change Form. 

To formally change your major/program from ACES to CLAS, please fill out the CLAS Online Program Change Form. 

No, the minor will only be listed on your transcript. 

For instructions on declaring a double major, please visit the Majors and Minors page. 

You can get a form to declare an additional degree from CLAS or the school/college you want to add. The CLAS Academic Services Center has the forms to start this process. Please keep in mind that each school/college within UConn has its own procedures for declaring an additional degree. Some schools/colleges require students to apply for admission and be admitted prior to declaring a dual degree. 

To view the College’s instructions on how to declare an additional degree, please visit the Majors and Minors page. 

Double Major 

A double major can be earned in two majors offered in CLAS. You cannot earn a double major across two different schools or colleges. Your diploma will have one degree and will list two majors (e.g., a BA in English and sociology). 

Additional Degree 

An additional degree can be earned in two different schools or colleges. You will receive two degrees (e.g., a BA in English and BS in engineering), and you will receive two diplomas at graduation. 

For more information, please visit the Majors and Minors page.

  • If a student declared their CLAS major upon applying to UConn, they will follow the undergraduate catalog rules for CLAS that were in effect when they first entered UConn. 
  • If a student changed from one CLAS major to another, they will generally follow the catalog rules in effect when they first entered CLAS. Ask your advisor for exceptions.
  • If a student changes from the Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES) or another program/school/college to a CLAS major, they will follow the catalog rules in effect when they changed into CLAS. 
  • In some circumstances, a student may wish to change their catalog year to a more current one. A student may do that by submitting a Change of Catalog Year form to the Registrar’s Office. 

Courses and Credits

If a student is attempting to enroll in a class that is full and a waitlist is available, the student should add themselves to the waitlist. If there is no waitlist available, students should reach out to their advisor for guidance. 

If you earned a 2.6 term GPA in the previous semester (spring or fall), you can take 18 credits next semester without permission. 

If you had a 2.6 or above in the previous term (summer or winter) but are still unable to enroll in 18 credits, contact the One Stop Office for assistance. 

If you are interested in taking more than 18 credits next semester, please fill out an Excess Credit Request form. 

Please note that under no circumstances are students allowed to enroll in more than 22 credits in any one semester. 

In certain rare circumstances, students may drop a course after the eleventh week of the semester. If a student feels there is an extenuating circumstance that would merit a late drop, the student should make an appointment with the CLAS Academic Services Center. 

The student must provide evidence, through documentation, that extenuating circumstances beyond their control prevented them from dropping the course during the 11-week drop period. Please note that exceptions are not made for a student’s poor academic performance. 

The deadline to place a class on or take a class off pass/fail grading is the eleventh week of the semester. The deadline date is articulated in the University’s academic calendar. The College does not make exceptions to this deadline date. 

Students should check their transcripts to find Dean’s List notations. Dean’s List is awarded to those ranked in upper 25th percentile in School or College and a minimum semester Grade Point Average of 3.000. There are additional parameters around Dean’s List. Please refer to the Registrar’s website for additional information. 

Under certain circumstances, you can request to substitute a course you have already taken for a course required to complete your degree through the CLAS Academic Services Center. Please review the Substitution Request form for more information. 

Yes. Many students take courses at colleges closer to home over the summer or during intersession. To do so, students should fill out a Prior Course Approval form prior to enrolling in the course. Learn more about transferring credit as a current student. 

Students should consult their advisor to determine whether a course from another institution will fulfill a common curriculum requirement or count as an elective. 

No. It is standard for all colleges to count only work done within the institution for the grade point average and for honors designations. The course and the credits transfer, but the grade does not. In addition, the University requires that the student earn a C or better in a course for it to be eligible for transfer. 

Yes, these are UConn courses. They count the same as any other UConn courses, and no transfer action is required.

Only courses taken at UConn can be applied towards the 2000-level major requirements, unless an exception is made by the student’s major department and dean. Transfer Admissions can supply students with the name of the designated department evaluator who will review the transfer coursework to evaluate its equivalency.