The Benefits of Choosing a Minor as an Undergraduate
"The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out." - Proverbs 18:15 NIV
When you're an undergraduate student, the major question is always "What is your major?" (pun intended). Rarely does the topic of the "minors" come up. But it should!
While a minor is generally not required to earn a bachelor's degree, there are some beneficial reasons to consider pursuing one (or more!).
For example, thoughtfully adding a minor can equip students with a substantial grounding in fields outside of their majors and provide a deeper understanding of the desired major.
There are many other advantages, too. Let's explore why minors are a major deal.
What is a Minor in College?
A minor is similar to a college major in that it is defined by a series of structured coursework that emphasizes a particular field of study. The big difference is that a minor generally requires about half the number of credit hours, about 15 to 18 credit hours — or five or six classes. In addition, students can choose minors from a different college than their major, allowing a broader range of minors to choose from.
How Many Minors Can You Have in College?
Because minors require fewer credit hours, it's possible to have more than one minor to complement your major. Some students may even choose to have a double major and one minor — or a double minor to go with their major.
Generally, it's not feasible to have more than three minors and one major in a traditional, four-year undergraduate college career — and that will yield a very demanding course load.
Benefits of a Minor — and How to Choose One
Learning about the distinct advantages of declaring a minor helps provide direction and clarity on how to choose the right one for you. Here are some points to consider:
Minors Complement Your Major
One of the most common ways students leverage minors to their advantage is by choosing one that complements their major. This allows for an additional layer of specialization and learning that can amplify your education and enhance your resume.
For example, if you're a business major, you might opt for an accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, or even a marketing minor — depending on where God is calling you. If you're on a pre-med track, you may choose a biology major with a chemistry or kinesiology minor. Spanish and psychology are two popular minors that pair well with nearly any course of study.
Minors Expand Your Interests
College is not just a time to focus on your major; it's also a time to explore and expand on your interests — and understand how those interests might even be able to take shape in your future career.
For those passionate about art, there's absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing an art minor to go alongside a business degree. That additional layer of creative expression will shape and enhance your skill set. Perhaps you're pursuing an education degree but are equally interested in having some foundational entrepreneurial knowledge for a side gig. That's where a business or entrepreneurship minor comes in.
This exploration might even help you refine what kind of work God is calling you to do or lead you down a different career path entirely.
Minors Grow Your Faith
Some minors in Dallas universities may include biblical or religious studies, which may interest students looking to further develop their knowledge and understanding. DBU's College of Christian Faith's material is distinctly presented through a unifying Christian worldview. Four available minors include biblical studies, Christian studies, intercultural studies for missions, and philosophy. For students who want to serve in a ministry capacity but also want some business skills, adding a business minor to your biblical studies major (or visa versa) is an excellent option.
Minors Enhance Your Leadership
Whenever you take the more challenging road to pursue a positive goal, you're expanding your skills and honing your leadership. Some colleges, including DBU, are taking that a step further by providing a minor in leadership. This gives students the opportunity to understand key leadership theories and practices and appreciate how principles from other fields can inform a multidisciplinary leadership view.
DBU's program also allows students to engage in personal leadership development activities, participate in domestic or international travel-study courses, and understand how to apply servant leadership principles in their distinct calling.
More About DBU's Minor Programs
Minors at DBU include any department that offers the required number and level of courses. There are many options to consider, with distinct opportunities for specialization.
The following DBU departments all offer a wide range of minors:
- The College of Business
- Mary Crowley College of Christian Faith
- Dorothy Bush College of Education
- College of Fine Arts
- College of Humanities & Social Sciences
- College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Gary Cook School of Leadership
