Holds

Declare Your Major

It is collegiate policy that students either declare a major or file a Plan for Major Declaration  form once they have reached 45 or more semester credits. This includes both completed and in-progress credits. 

The intent of the OT hold is not to force students to declare a major but rather to spur meaningful discussion between the student and advisor and to encourage students to actively explore majors and careers. 

When viewing your holds online, undeclared students will see this hold listed as “OT - Declare Major.” In order to have the hold released, you must EITHER declare your major or file a Plan for Major Declaration form. The OT hold will prevent you from registering for next semester. 

The processes for declaring a major is explained on the How to declare a major page. 

Undecided about Major Choice If you are “undecided” about your major, then it is critical for you take an active role in exploring your interests, your skills, and potential careers. A number of campus resources exist to help you with this process, including the Advising Office, and/or Career & Internship Services, 22 Solon Campus Center. If you are unable to select a major prior to next semester’s registration timeframe, you will be required to submit a Plan for Major Declaration form to the Advising office. The OT hold will be temporarily released for one semester only. 

Unable to Declare due to admissibility issue or other reason If for any reason you are unable to declare your major by the noted deadline, you will be required to submit a Plan for Major Declaration form in order to have the “Declare Major” hold released for registration. The OT hold will be released for one semester only. 

The Plan for Major Declaration form requires a description of your plan for declaring a major. It also requires that you meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plan. The advisor’s signature must be included on the form when it is submitted to the Advising office. 

Questions or concerns about your status within the college or your degree progress should be directed to our Advising office or schedule an appointment.

 Academic Advisement

This hold is placed on many students in order to help with choosing classes that are appropriate, meet core requirements, represent a balanced academic scope, expose students to possible majors and careers, and connect them with on campus student engagement. If you are assigned to an academic advisor, you can set up an appointment with them. After the meeting, the academic advisor will remove the hold.

Some departments within our collegiate unit require a faculty advising meeting with their students at least once each semester. If you are assigned to a faculty advisor, you can request a meeting with them by contacting them either by phone, attending their office hours, or by contacting the department. After the meeting, a departmental staff person will remove the hold.

All students are encouraged to schedule their advisement meeting at least two weeks before their registration time for next term. Removal of the hold may take 1-3 business days.

 Benchmark

You are approaching senior status (approximately 90 credits) (includes in-progress and transfer credits). To support timely graduation, students are encouraged to plan their remaining degree requirements and have an academic advisor review their plan.

1.) Declare all majors/minors you plan on completing prior to graduation. If you are unable to declare a major/minor for some reason, please note this and include your plans for declaration. (Reminder: Undergraduate Degree Requirements - campus degree requirements for all bachelor's degree).

2.) File any paperwork for the following:

  1. Course substitutions
  2. Course or credit waivers
  3. Transfer credit evaluation
  4. All final transcripts from other campuses outside the U of MN system.

3.) Complete and submit the Planning for Degree Completion (self-assessment).

4.) An academic advisor will review your submission. If there are problems with your plan, an academic advisor will contact you.

Note: Submission of your tentative plan is not required and it does not guarantee plan accuracy or plan approval. In order to assure programmatic accuracy, meet with your adviser regularly, and continue to update your plan.