As a student in CALS, CEMS, CESS, CNHS, GSB, or RSENR, you have the option to minor in any CAS program. You can also choose a dual-degree with any CAS major, in which you complete all the requirements of your home college or school and all the CAS requirements.
Now there is a new option of co-majoring. Co-Majors are a way for students who are not in CAS to complete specific majors in CAS without also completing the CAS distribution requirements.
Co-majoring allows you to go into more depth than a minor and it gives you a stronger credential. Employers are looking for individuals with skills that set them apart. A co-major differentiates you from other graduates from your program and demonstrates your commitment to learning and development.
FAQs
What is a co-major?
Co-Majors are a way for students who are not in a unit (such as CAS) to complete specific majors in that unit without also completing all of the requirements of that unit.
How is a co-major different from a major or a minor?
Majors in CAS are for students in CAS. If you are not a student in CAS and you want to earn a CAS major along with your degree program in your home unit, previously your only option was to also enroll in CAS and complete all of its requirements, and you would earn a “dual-degree.” You still have that option, but there is now a new option.
With a “Co-Major,” you can complete the requirements for the major and skip other CAS requirements. A Co-Major is more than a minor because there are more credits than for a minor and you are able to go further in studying the topic. A Co-Major is less than a dual degree because you only have to complete the requirements for the Co-Major, not any other CAS requirements.
Examples:
Student’s home unit | Program 1 | Program 2 | Completing all CAS requirements? | Known as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CAS | Political Science | History | Yes | Double major |
GSB | Business Administration | English | Yes | Dual degree |
CALS | CDAE | Environmental Studies | Yes | Dual degree |
CALS | CDAE | Environmental Studies | No | Co-major |
What can I co-major in?
Available Co-Majors in CAS are Chinese, Classics, Economics, Environmental Studies, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
Why can’t I co-major in (English, Studio Art, History, Philosophy, Psychological Sciences, etc.)?
Co-Majors are only available for certain disciplines for which the program has been proposed and approved. Please see the available list of CAS Co-Majors above. More Co-Majors may be added in the future.
If I am a CAS student, are there Co-Majors for me?
Yes, CAS students can do a Co-Major for programs outside CAS. The available Co-Majors as of 2026-27 are Business Administration, Mathematics, and Statistics.
How do I declare a co-major?
Use the Declare or Change Your Major/Minor/Concentration form.
Who can I talk to about co-majoring?
For questions about CAS Co-Majors, please contact the department that you are interested in.
For a language Co-Major, please email swlc@uvm.edu.
For a Co-major in Economics, please email econ@uvm.edu
For a Co-Major in Environmental Studies, please email envs@uvm.edu.