Change Major or Minor

This is a tutorial only. No log in is required.

You can request a change of major and/or minor online through the CSUN Portal and the SOLAR Student Center. You can add, change or drop a major/minor as long as your request complies with university policy (see "Resources" below). Please note:

  • Some impacted majors may not be available for online changes. If the major you want is not available through the online process, please contact an academic advisor for that major.

  • Before requesting a new major/minor online, please contact an academic advisor for the new major.

Changing your major/minor online involves four steps:

  1. Before you begin, find the College that houses your new major/minor. You’ll need it for this process.

  2. Request the change online in the SOLAR Student Center.

  3. An appropriate academic advisor or administrator will review your request.

  4. You will receive a decision by email. You can also check the status of your request online.

Use the Major/Minor Change paper forms if your major does not allow online changes or if you are enrolled in a major through the Tseng College (extension).

Resources:

Step 1

Go to the CSUN home page at www.csun.edu and:

  1. Open the MyCSUN menu in the top navigation.

  2. Select the CSUN Portal link.

  3. Log in with your CSUN user ID and password.

MyCSUN menu with CSUN Portal login link on every CSUN webpage.

Step 2

Your CSUN Portal home page displays.

In the Top Tools section, select the Student Center icon link.

CSUN Portal home page with Top Tools area and Student Center backpack icon link.

Step 3

The SOLAR Student Center displays.

  1. Under the Academics heading from the "other academic..." drop-down menu, choose Change Major/Minor.

  2. Select the go button.

SOLAR Student Center Academics section with "other academic..." drop-down menu and Change Major/Minor link.

Step 4

The Change of Major/Minor page displays and explains that:

  • It's wise to consult an advisor for your intended new major/minor before filing an online request. Changing your major may not be a good move if you've completed close to 120 units. Refer to Major/Minor Policies.

  • You can add, change or delete your major(s) and/or minor(s).

  • Your request will undergo an approval process.

  • A decision for your request will be sent to your CSUN email account.

  • You can check for a decision in the Student Center on the Change of Major/Minor Status page.

The page includes a CSUN Catalog link to find the College that houses your new major/minor; you’ll need it later in this process.

  • To exit this page, close the Change Major/Minor tab in your web browser.

  • To return to the previous page, choose Student Center from the drop-down menu and select the go icon.

To proceed, select the Next button.

Change of Major/Minor welcome page with important instructions and links to CSUN Catalog.

Step 5

The Restrictions page displays and explains:

  • A few limitations to changing your major/minor online,

  • Where to find CSUN's Major/Minor Policies, and

  • Why some buttons might be greyed out.

Two boxes also display — one each for your major and minor (if any). 

Because the student in this example has only one major, the Delete button is greyed out. (You cannot delete your only major.)

This student can either Add a second major or Change their only major. They can also add a minor.

The CSUN Catalog link on this page lets you find the College that houses your new major/minor. You won't be able to complete Step 6 without it.

  1. To change your current major, select the Change button in the major box.
The Restrictions page explains limitations and displays all your current majors and minors.

Step 6

A new page displays your intended action in the heading: ADD, CHANGE or DELETE a major/minor, in this example, CHANGE your major/minor.

The CHANGE Major/Minor page displays your current major information:

  • College name and code

  • Major name and code

  • Degree objective (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, etc.)

Below your current major are fields to enter your requested new major information, including a field to enter your reason to request the change.

To change your major, first look up the Requested College.

  1. Select the magnifying glass icon.
View the list of Colleges by using the magnifying glass search button.

Step 7

The Look Up Requested College pop-up window displays a list of Colleges by "academic group code" and "description."

  1. Select the College of your intended major/minor.

This student has requested the College of Arts, Media, and Communication, code 26.

Select the College code or name from the two-column table.

Step 8

Your Requested College name and code now display. Next...

  1. Look up your Requested Major/Minor.

  2. Select the magnifying glass icon to view the list of majors in the College you selected.

View the list of Majors/Minors within the College you selected by using the magnifying glass search button.

Step 9

The Look Up Major/Minor pop-up window lists all the academic program options (i.e., majors and minors) with their Academic Plan codes for the College you previously selected.

Tip: Select the “Description” column heading to sort the program list alphabetically.

  1. Scroll through the list if needed.

  2. Select your intended major/minor program by its Academic Plan code. 

The student in this example has chosen Music: Music Industry option, Academic Plan code 121625B.

Select the major/minor code from the two-column table.

Step 10

Your Requested Major/Minor and new degree objective (if a B.A. changed to a B.M. or B.S.) now display.

Proofread your selection.

  • If you haven't already done so, enter your reason for requesting a change of major or minor.

  • To go back and change your selection, select Cancel.

  • If satisfied with your selection, select Next.

The change Major/Minor page now displays your current and requested colleges, majors/minors, and degree objectives.

Step 11

The CONFIRM Change Major/Minor page displays.

Make sure you’ve selected the intended College and major/minor.

  • To go back, select Cancel.

  • To proceed with your request, choose Submit.

The current and requested College, major/minor and degree objective again display with Cancel or Submit buttons.

Step 12

The “approval required” pop-up message displays to remind you that:

  • Your request will be reviewed by the College advisor or administrator.

  • A decision will be sent to your CSUN email account.

  • You can also Check Major/Minor Status in the SOLAR Student Center.

You can still cancel your request by selecting the Cancel button in the message window.

To proceed, choose OK.

Pop-up window reminder that your request is under review and not yet approved, including OK or Cancel buttons.

Step 13

The Change of Major/Minor Request Completed page confirms that your request has been submitted for review.

A confirmation of your request will be sent to your CSUN email account.

  1. Select the View Change of Major Status link.
Request Completed confirmation page with link to View Change of Major/Minor Status page.

Step 14

The Change of Major/Minor Status page displays the record of your request in a table with rows for your current major and new major request. Table columns show:

  • Transaction details (apply date and time, change from/to action, College, change type, major/minor code, description, degree, and reason for change),

  • Status of request (applied, approved, or denied), and

  • Option to Cancel your request.

If you change your mind, return to this page to cancel your Change of Major/Minor. The Cancel button will display until an advisor or administrator replies to your request. 

From the navigation drop-down menu, select Student Center and then the go button.

An 11-column table shows details for each applied, cancelled and approved major/minor transaction you have made.

Step 15

The SOLAR Student Center displays. 

If you log out, you can return to the Student Center later to view the status of your request as follows:

  1. In the Academics section from the “other academic” drop-down menu, choose Check Major/Minor Status.

  2. Then select the go button.

SOLAR Student Center home with Check Major/Minor Status link in the other academic drop-down menu.

Step 16

The Change of Major/Minor Status page displays the decision, either approved or denied.

A notice of the decision will also be sent to your CSUN email account. 

For answers to questions about your new major/minor, contact your academic advisor and make use of the degree planning tools, including your new Degree Road Map.

You can navigate away from the Status page as follows:

  • To close this page, close the Change Major/Minor Status tab in your web browser.

  • To return to the Student Center, select its tab in your browser or use the drop-down menu.

  • To return to the CSUN Portal, select the CSUN Student tab in your web browser.

  • When done, be sure to LOGOUT from the portal (not shown).

The Status table shows your Change Major/Minor request as denied or approved, including a "last updated" timestamp.