Wayne State University
Warrior strong
Login
Search
Division of Academic Affairs Division of Academic Affairs

Guidelines for Undergraduate Minors and Concentrations

Submit minor/concentrations through CourseLeaf: https://nextbulletins.wayne.edu/programadmin/

Minors

Definition: A series of related courses generally consisting of 18-25 credits, but not to exceed 20% of the required credits for the bachelor degree. Individual colleges may have additional guidelines for the establishment of minors. Minor programs for teacher certification at the secondary and/or elementary level must conform with state guidelines for approval as well. Normally, minors exist only in areas with approved majors and consist of existing courses. The following additional elements should be considered in the development of minors:

  • Minors may be established only at the undergraduate level.
  • Applications for a minor must be processed by the college office awarding the student's degree.
  • The college office awarding the degree is responsible for confirming with the offering department that the student satisfied all minor requirements.
  • Minors are not noted on the diploma, but they are noted on the transcript.
  • Recommendations for minors should be approved in accordance with the college's/school's curriculum approval processes and require the approval of the dean. The recommendations should be forwarded to the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for review, approval, and transmittal to the Office of the President. Minors require presidential approval under the provisions of University Policy 04-7.

Concentrations

Definition: Concentrations* consist of a series of designated courses within a major program. Their design should address the following elements:

  • Should have some central purpose, with some unifying or integrative element specified.
  • Some sequential characteristics should be present, ensuring that depth rather than superficial contact with a series of related disciplines or courses is achieved.
  • An identifiable core of organized knowledge and principles should be included and should be reflected in the objectives and goals of the concentration.
  • The total credit hours required in the concentration should be reasonable and should be incorporated as part of the overall requirements for the major program.
  • Concentrations are not noted on the diploma, but they are noted on the transcript.
  • Recommendations for concentrations should be approved in accordance with the college/school's curriculum approval process and require the approval of the dean. Graduate-level programs require the concurrence of the Graduate Council. The recommendations should be forwarded to the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for review, approval, and transmittal to the Office of the President. Concentrations require presidential approval under the provisions of University Policy 04-7.

*Note: Only the term, "concentration", will be used to describe a series of designated courses within a major. Other terms - such as specialization, track, area of study, etc. - are not interchangeable.