Frequently Asked Questions

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• How do I apply for a course substitution?
• How do I change my major?
• How do I get a double major/degree?
• How do I find a tutor for my psychology classes?
• How do I declare a minor?
• How do I read a degree audit?
• How do I read a degree audit on Bonfire?

How do I apply for a course substitution?

The Transfer Admission office evaluates all college-level courses transferred to Texas A&M. If a course is acceptable, it will transfer either as a direct equivalent to an A&M course, or "by title" if no A&M equivalent has been established. Whether or not a "by title" course can be applied to a degree plan is determined by the Office of Undergraduate Advising based on the recommendation of the departmental advisor, and the faculty evaluation of the "by title" course's catalog description and syllabus.

To begin this evaluation process, bring the transfer course catalog description and syllabus to the psychology advising office, decide how to use the transfer course, and complete a "Substitution Request" form. Your departmental advisor will send the form, with the catalog description and syllabus for each class, to the Office of Undergraduate Advising. An academic advisor will review the request. If all of the necessary material is attached, your request will go to the appropriate department for evaluation. If the department agrees that the transfer work is equivalent to an A &M course and meets the requirement, the request will be signed and forwarded to the Degree Audit office.

A substitution request will be denied if there is no supporting documentation, if equivalency to a TAMU course is not demonstrated, or if the course does not fulfill the intended TAMU requirement. Grades of "D" earned for course work completed at other institutions will transfer to TAMU, but will not substitute for major or minor course requirements, for ENGL 104, or for any TAMU course requiring a grade of "C" or better in your degree plan.

These are the steps to take to apply for a substitution request:

1. Meet with your departmental academic advisor to identify the transfer course work that you wish to use and what you want to use it for.
2. Get a copy of the catalog description and a course syllabus if needed for each course you wish to substitute.
3. Fill out a copy of the College's "Substitution Request" and attach all relevant paperwork. Use separate forms for classes taken at different colleges.
4. Have your departmental academic advisor forward the request to the Office of Undergraduate Advising.
5. Two to three weeks after submitting the request, meet with your departmental advisor to learn if your request was approved. If it was, the change will appear on your degree audit, and on "Bonfire".
6. If your request was deferred, your advisor will know what additional information is needed. You may re-submit the request with this information.
7. If your request was denied, you may be able to use it as a "free" elective in your degree plan.

Questions? Consult your CLLA Student Handbook before you see an Advisor!

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How do I change my major?

All changes of major, either into the College of Liberal Arts or within it, must be approved by an academic advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Advising. Before making this decision, it will benefit you to research the requirements for your new major. Degree requirements can be found in a current University Undergraduate catalog, or a degree plan handout. If you have above a 2.00 cumulative GPR in both your over-all grades and in the course work taken toward your new major, you are eligible to change curriculum no later than the last day of pre-registration. If you have below a 2.0 cumulative GPR in either your overall grades or in the course work taken to toward your new major, but have not been dropped or blocked by the dean of your current college, you will be considered for admission to the CLLA on an individual basis. Students in this situation have until the first day of pre-registration to be considered. If you have been dropped or blocked by the dean of your current college, or have too many points below a 2.OO GPR, we cannot admit you into the College of Liberal Arts. See an academic advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Advising to determine your status.

1. Research the requirements for your new major. The easiest way is to order a "what if'" degree audit at Heaton Hall. You must specify B.A. or B.S. in the new major. Degree requirements can be found in a current University Undergraduate catalog, or visit that department for a degree plan handout.
2. Meet with an academic advisor from the Office of Undergraduate Advising. Review your academic history to determine your eligibility for acceptance into the College of Liberals Arts.
3. If eligible, sign a "Change of Curriculum" form and an "Admission Contract." Be sure to pick up a copy of the College of Liberal Arts Student Handbook.
4. Return the pink copy of the "Change of Curriculum" form to your new departmental advisor and determine the number of courses remaining on your degree plan and the sequence to complete them.
5. Work with your new departmental advisor to make appropriate substitutions to your new degree plan, declare a minor, etc.

Questions? Consult your CLLA Student Handbook before you see an Advisor!

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How do I get a double major/degree?

Students may earn a single bachelor's degree with two majors or two bachelor degrees at the same time. To pursue one of these options, you must have a cumulative GPR of 2.5 or above. You must apply before you complete 95 hours of course work. Meet with advisors from both proposed fields to discuss curricular options, program requirements, and the additional hours required. Transfer students who enter Texas A&M as a junior must file for a double major or double degree no later than the end of their second semester in attendance.

CLLA Students pursuing a double major will be awarded one baccalaureate degree. Both majors can be within Liberal Arts or one major can be outside of the college, provided that both majors lead to the same baccalaureate degree. Students must complete the required course work for each major and, in cases where one major is in another College, satisfy whatever conditions are set by the other college for its major field.

CLLA Students pursuing a double degree will be awarded two baccalaureate degrees; one degree must be from Liberal Arts and one from another College. Students may work toward a B. A. degree and a B. S. degree simultaneously, but not two B. A. degrees or two B. S. degrees. Students with a B.A. or a B.S. may also apply for a second degree, if they have a minimum cumulative GPR of 2.5, a GPR of 2.5 or better in the last 60 hours of prior course work, and 9 hours with a GPR of 2.5 or above in the second degree field.

These are the steps to take to apply for a double major or double degree:

1. Meet with an Office of Undergraduate Advising academic advisor. Review your academic history and determine whether you are eligible to apply.
2. Fill out a copy of the College's "Petition for a Second Major/Degree." Complete parts I and II.
3. Meet with your proposed second major’s/degree’s departmental advisor and discuss your plan. Have the advisor list the course work you will need to fulfill the second major/degree and sign part IV.
4. Meet with your current major's departmental advisor and discuss your plan. Have the advisor sign part III.
5. Return the form to the Office of Undergraduate Advising. We will review it and enter your choice of major/degree in your file.

Questions? Consult your CLLA Student Handbook before you see an Advisor!

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How do I find a tutor for my psychology classes?

Click here for more information.

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How do I declare a minor?

A minor is 15 to 18 hours of course work in a particular subject area. Almost any subject area can be chosen. Up to six hours of the course work for a minor can also be used to meet other requirements (English, Humanities, Social Sciences, etc.). The remaining hours will count as "General Electives." Beginning with catalog 115, only students majoring in History, International Studies, Modern and Classical Languages, Speech Communication and Theater Arts need a minor of 15-18 hours, with nine hours of 300/400 level course work. Students in other majors may declare a minor, consisting of 15 hours with at least six hours of 300/400 level course work. You must earn a "C" or better in all minor course work.

Fifteen to eighteen hours from a particular department may not be approved as a minor. Some departments do not approve minors (Health and Kinesiology for example). Others have a "structured" or pre-approved minor. That’s why it is important to visit with an advisor in the minor department. The College of Liberal Arts Student Handbook also describes Interdisciplinary Minors in Biomedical/biological/Life Sciences, Business, Classical Studies, Religious Studies, and Women’s Studies, which include courses from different departments.

Don’t wait until the last minute to see your advisor. Minors should be declared by the time you have 75 hours of course work; the must be declared before you complete 95 hours.

These are the steps to take to declare a minor:

1. Meet with your departmental advisor and pick up a copy of the Proposed Minor Field of Study form.
2. Meet with an academic advisor from the "Minor" department. That advisor will list acceptable courses and an appropriate sequence for them.
3. Return the form to your departmental advisor for review. If approved, you will submit the form to the College of Liberal Arts Advising office where it will be entered on your degree plan.
4. When you have completed the classes for your minor (with grades of "C" or better in all courses), ask your advisor to fill out the Declaration of Minor Field of Study form and return it to the CLLA Office of Undergraduate Advising.

Questions? Consult your CLLA Student Handbook before you see an Advisor!

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How to read a degree audit?

The degree audit is not your official A&M transcript. It is a map to show what courses you must pass to graduate. It gives you important information: 1) your GPR overall and in your major, 2) the courses that are required for your degree, 3) the courses you have passed, failed or repeated, 4) the courses you must still take, and 5) how everything you have taken, or registered for, counts in reaching your goal. You can get an audit at any time at Heaton Hall or access it on Bonfire (see explanation on how to read a degree audit on Bonfire). These are the steps to take to read and understand a degree audit:

1. Make sure your degree information is correct--major, degree sought (B.A. or B.S.). Minor?
2. Read Section 1, "Academic Requirements Remaining." Any courses listed must be taken and passed.
3. Turn to Section 3, "Work Not yet Applied--See Advisor for Acceptable Substitutions." There are several reasons why a course appears in this section. Transfer courses listed "by title" must be reviewed by your major department and the Office of Undergraduate Advising to substitute for any A&M course. Courses in which you earned grades of "D" may not count towards your major or minor in Catalog 115 and beyond.
4. Look for courses in section 3 which you believe match anything in the "requirements remaining" section. For example, if the audit says you need a humanities, look for titles similar to those listed in the core curriculum humanities section in your degree audit. Highlight or mark these on your audit. Moving courses out of Section 3 into Section 2 helps you reach your goal. It is worth your time to get a course description and syllabus for each course you transferred to A&M that appears in this section. For information on this process, see "How To Apply for a Course Substitution."
5. Look at Section 2, "Academic Requirements Completed or In Progress" carefully. Are these courses being used for the requirement as you intended? If not, see your departmental advisor.
6. Read the fine print in section 1 about the residency requirement, which is 36 hours of 300/400 level classes taken at A&M. At least 12 hours must be in your major. What will a minor require?
7. As you read the audit, write down your questions. You may find the answers yourself, or your advisor can help you.
8. Keep your goal in mind--everything in Section 3 moved into Section 2. Nothing left in Section 1. The prize? You’re A&M diploma! Still have questions? Ask an advisor in your department or in the Office of Undergraduate Advising. Remember to get a new degree audit after you register or substitute courses.

Questions? Consult your CLLA Student Handbook before you see an Advisor!

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How do I read a degree audit on bonfire?

The BONFIRE program is the student version of the Student Information Management System (SIMS) and can be used 1) to check course availability and individual schedules, 2) to update addresses and phone numbers, and 3) to read a degree audit. BONFIRE can be accessed from any university terminal. These are the steps to take to read and understand a degree audit on BONFIRE.

1. Locate the "ATM logo screen" by opening either the "QWS 3270" program or "ATM screen" program. At the prompt, type in BONFIRE. This will call up the main menu screen with several 3 digit numbers to choose.
2. At the prompt, type in 810 (Degree Audit) and hit ENTER.
3. Type in your personal identification number (the same number you use when you resister by phone) and student ID number and hit ENTER. This will give you the main page of your degree audit. Make sure your degree information is correct—major and degree (B.A. or B.S.). Minor? Type in P for an audit of your primary degree and hit ENTER. If you are a double degree candidate, you will type 'in either P or S, whichever is appropriate for the degree plan you wish to read.
4. Read Section 1, "Academic Requirements Remaining." Any courses listed must be taken and passed.
5. Turn to Section 3, "Work Not Yet Applied--See Advisor for Acceptable Substitutions." There are several reasons why a course may appear in this section. Transfer courses listed "by title" must be reviewed by your major department and the Office of Undergraduate Advising to substitute for any A&M course. Courses in which -you earned grades of "D" may not count towards -your major or minor course work.
6. Look for courses in section 3 which you believe match anything in the "requirements remaining" section. For example, if the audit says you need a humanities, look for titles similar to those listed in the core curriculum humanities section on your degree audit. Moving courses out of Section 3 into Section 2 helps you reach your goal. It is worth your time to get a description of each course you transferred to A&M that appears in this section. For information on this process, pick up a copy of "How To Apply for a Course Substitution."
7. Look at Section 2, "Academic Requirements Completed or In Progress" carefully. Are these courses being used for the requirement as you intended? If not, see your departmental advisor.
8. Read the fine print in section 1 about the residency requirement, which is 36 hours of 300/400 level classes taken at A&M. At least 12 hours must be in your major.
9. As you read the audit, write down your questions. If the terminal you are using is connected to a printer, you can print out a copy of the pages you need. You may find the answers to your questions yourself, or your advisor can help you.
10. Once you have finished reading your BONFIRE audit, type in an "X" in the upper right hand comer to exit your audit. To exit BONFIRE, click on the "close" command in the upper left comer of the screen. Still have questions? Ask an advisor in your department or in the Office of Undergraduate Advising. Remember to always check your degree audit after you register, change your schedule or substitute courses.

Questions? Consult your CLLA Student Handbook before you see an Advisor!

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