Double major and minor policy could be revised

Students may soon be able to graduate with more qualifications on their degrees, as the Educational Policy Committee (EPC) will recommend that the faculty review the policy that prevents students from double majoring and minoring.

The move comes in the midst of a national trend of students increasingly declaring more than one major. While a double or triple major allows students to pursue multiple interests, administration and faculty members warn the stress of fulfilling requirements and lack of electives can damage a student's learning experience.

The recommendation is meant to deal with the inconsistency of policy which allows students to triple major, but not double major and minor, according to Todd Quinto, a math professor who serves as co-chair of the EPC.

The faculty will decide whether allowing a double major and minor would dilute a student's education. Though EPC members' opinions were mixed, "the committee decided to ask that this be brought before the faculty to allow two majors and a minor just because of the inconsistency," Quinto said.

An alternative plan to the EPC's recommendation is to ban triple majors, which was discussed but found to be an unviable solution. "There are a lot of faculty majors who don't like the idea of triple majors," Quinto said. "However, there are fields where triple majors can be beneficial."

Faculty debate over the policy is likely to be interesting, as many have strong feelings about the recent movement toward double majoring.

The number of double majors at Tufts has increased 6.2 percent over the last two years, and now includes almost a third of the student body. The reasons for choosing more than one major are varied, but many students who take enough credits to fulfill two majors find it convenient to declare both.

More students are arriving at Tufts with Advanced Placement (AP) credit, which can exempt students from requirements. With enough AP credit, it's possible to schedule more high-level courses that fulfill the requirements of two majors.

Other students see a double major as an opportunity to pursue two goals. "I've always had an interest in music, but I also wanted to do law," sophomore Brent Patterson said, a double major in political science and music. With a double major, Patterson wants to study what he needs and what he loves. "I hope I can do something in music as well _ political science is for the career," he said.

Some think that a pursuit of two goals doesn't necessitate a double major. "I'm not sure why they do it; it seems to me, if you want to take a lot of courses in a field that isn't your major you can do so," English professor Linda Bamber said. She cautions her students that a double major isn't necessary for success. But, she says, it can be a good way to concentrate on interests outside of the primary major.

"It's like they want proof that they've done something they've loved, which is a little antithetical," Bamber said. "On the other hand, if it helps people to focus on something they really care about then it's a good idea."

Many students declare more than one major in order to further career goals and to add to a r?©sum?©. There is, however, no empirical evidence that shows a double major can increase job opportunities.

"I know of no instance where an employer has specifically indicated preference for double _ or more _ majors," Director of Career Services at Tufts Jean Papalia said.

Papalia also sees a multiple major as motivation for the student to pursue more than one area of interest. "The only instance where I would encourage double majoring is to satisfy a student's authentic interest in two different areas," she said.

"Real life" experience is just as valuable as time spent in the classroom, according to Papalia. Due to the time and schedule constraints of multiple majors, that real life experience can be lacking as students try to juggle an increased number of requirements, she said.

In fact, often the student's schedule itself prohibits him or her from declaring more than one major.

"In scheduling classes, you have to choose which [major] is more important when they conflict," Patterson said.

Students should be careful about choosing to pursue more than one major for the purpose of a career, cautions Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye. "People have this sort of r?©sum?© building mentality," Inouye said. "I'm not so sure that that mentality is that successful or effective."

According to Papalia, the success comes from a student's interest level. "It's common sense. If you're interested, you'll be motivated," Papalia said. If motivated, "you're more likely to succeed."