What is a minor?

An undergraduate minor at AUA is a coherent set of thematically related courses intended to broaden/complement a student’s learning and experience.

Minors are optional.  Undergraduate students may complete a minor(s) if they choose to do so. However, there is no requirement to do so.

In case the completion of a minor requires additional credits and/or additional time at AUA, the relevant procedures and policies will apply. There may be financial repercussions to choosing a minor.

Criteria for completion of a minor

No more than three credits can be counted from the major credits toward the minor.

Credits counted as student’s General Education requirements may also be counted toward the minor.

At least 50% of courses counted within the minor must be taken at AUA.

Procedure - Declaring interest in pursuing a a minor

Students declare their intent to pursue a minor through the Registrar’s office before the end of their sophomore year. Students are encouraged to declare earlier to ensure appropriate advising.  Students must also identify the minor when completing the Petition to Graduate form. 

A minor will be documented on a student’s transcript but will not appear on the diploma.

Procedure (Internal)

Proposing a minor:

* Any group of a minimum of two faculty members from at least two Colleges/School/Centers can make a recommendation to the respective program/College/School.

* Recommendations for minors must be vetted through an academic program and then College/School and then submitted by the Dean to the Curriculum Committee.

* Recommendations must be accompanied by a brief description, goals and student learning outcomes, curriculum map, budget, need, and context for the minor at AUA and Armenia

* Minors must be approved by the Curriculum Committee, and the Administration (for budget, as needed) before being advertised or offered.

The following general criteria will be utilized for approving new minors

* Minors at AUA typically consist of between 15 and 22 credits, a minimum of 6 of which must be upper division credits.

* Proposals should demonstrate the long-term sustainability of the minor as well as appropriate fit with current offerings.