What are minors and what are they good for?

Hi Katherine,

Good question! When you attend college you will need to select a major. I see that you have chosen education, great choice! Are you planning on teaching? If so, then your minor would usually be an area that you would like to teach like music or journalism. Some colleges do not require minors, and sometimes students choose a double major. The difference between a major and a minor is the number of classes that you are required to take, so you will take more classes in your area of major than you will in your area of minor.

Best of luck to you!

Hi Katherine,

Michelle Brown answered this question perfectly. The difference between a major and a minor is the number of classes required to complete each. Sometimes, a minor can be used to supplement your major. For example, if you're a Health Science major and you have a minor in Spanish, then the minor might give you the necessary skills to work for a healthcare company that is looking for someone who is bilingual. On the other hand, sometimes a minor can just be for fun. You can be a Biology major and have a minor in History just because you really enjoy studying history. Most schools do not require a minor though so you don't have to choose a minor if you don't want to.

Are you interested in teaching in a school? If so, are you interested in elementary education or middle school or high school? In some states, education majors are also required to have a liberal arts major as well. In addition to courses required for your major or maybe a minor (optional), you will be able to take electives - classes that you choose. So if you are interested in music, you can take classes in that outside or your major and minor. Unless you want music to be a minor.