Choosing a Major Choosing an academic major can be one of the most impactful decisions that cadets have the opportunity to make at West Point. With so many academic degree programs, including options to double-major or add a minor, the options may feel almost limitless. Explore department majors and minors Learn more about USMA Admissions Choosing a Major Choosing an academic major can be one of the most impactful decisions that cadets have the opportunity to make at West Point. With so many academic degree programs, including options to double-major or add a minor, the options may feel almost limitless. Explore department majors and minors Learn more about USMA Admissions Breadcrumb academics majors and minors choosing major academics-sidebarnav MENU Academic Program Majors & Minors Enrichment Opportunities Internships Study Abroad Extracurricular Opportunities Service Academy Exchange Program Scholars Program Departments https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ea1Gykbnkyw Selecting a Major The United States Military Academy's major and minor options allow cadets to explore, discover, and develop their academic interests. With so many academic degree programs, including the option to double-major or add in a minor, the possibilities feel almost limitless. Cadets select a major during their plebe year's spring semester. Counselors, faculty, and staff help cadets develop the tools to make smart, informed decisions about their study path. Cadets are offered the opportunity to meet with different faculty members in smaller groups to get a sense of what it means to focus on different areas. “We definitely want cadets to think about what their passion is. We want them to ask themselves: 'What do I really want to study?' We are here to build lifelong learners.” FAQs About Choosing a MajorNote: Some links may require a West Point password to access the information. Where can I find general information about opportunities within each major? Please visit the Majors and Minors page to explore our 36 majors and 19 minors. Our departments have also created an easy-to-browse Class of 2025 Majors Brochure that you can download and review.The Red Book identifies the majors and minors available to each class and lists all courses offered during each academic year and term. Explore the Red Book Where can I find detailed information for each academic major? Please explore our Curriculum Handbook, also called the Redbook. Part 2 - Disciplinary Offerings describes the learning outcomes for each academic major, and Part 4 - Majors and Minors lists course requirements for each major as well as the minors available to each class. What if I need help selecting an academic major? Our Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP) counselors are available to help you with your selection. Before selecting a major, academic advising is provided by your friendly company academic counselor (CAC) or you can connect with Academic Affairs and Registrar Services (AARS) advisors. Department academic counselors (DACs) sit with each cadet once they narrow their choice to three majors. Do majors have limits on the number of cadets accepted from each class? Unfortunately, a few majors must cap enrollment due to limited faculty to resource our smaller sections. The majors that establish a cap vary by year. For example, the following majors were capped for the Class of 2024.Kinesiology - Capped at 16Management - Capped at around 60Psychology - Capped at around 60Life Science - Capped at around 40The criteria for acceptance to a capped major varies, but may include:It is not first come, first served.An essay describing your interest in the major.Data from your first semester to help identify the best candidates for the major. How do I declare my major? After you've done all your research and are ready to make a final decision, you must see a Department Academic Counselor or an Academic Affairs and Registrar Services (AARS) advisor so they can enroll you. A company academic counselor and other faculty cannot enroll you. Once you've chosen a major, you'll get a schedule for your remaining time on campus. You will know what the next four years will look like, including which courses you will be on track to take each year. Can I change majors? Yes. Granted, some majors require more class time than others (like mechanical engineering, for example). DACs will help guide you if you need to change majors to meet your full potential both on and off campus. Department Academic Advisors After declaring a major, cadets are assigned a Departmental Academic Advisor (DAC) to help them understand the opportunities and requirements necessary to complete their major. Behavioral Sciences & LeadershipChemistry & Life ScienceCivil & Mechanical EngineeringElectrical Engineering & Computer ScienceEnglish & Philosophy Foreign LanguagesGeography & Environmental EngineeringHistoryKinesiologyLawMathematical Sciences Military InstructionPhysical EducationPhysics & Nuclear EngineeringSocial SciencesSystems Engineering Interested Cadets If you have questions about academic majors, contact the Office of the Registrar in Taylor Hall or call 845-938-5324.You can also contact:Dr. Russ Lachance, Associate Dean, Deputy for Operations and Registrar ServicesDr. Jim Dalton, Associate Dean, Registrar.