Thinking about adding a minor to your degree? It's a fantastic way to broaden your horizons, explore a passion outside your major, or even gain a complementary skill set. When it comes to choosing a minor, the sheer variety can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. At OU, it seems they've really thought about offering something for everyone.
If you're curious about what's available, the first place to look is the OU General Catalog, specifically the Minors page. This is where you'll find the most up-to-date information on requirements for current students. For those who might be looking back at older requirements, or perhaps planning ahead for a future academic year, there are archived catalogs available, starting from the 2019-20 academic year.
Scrolling through the list of available minors is like taking a tour through a vast academic landscape. You've got your foundational disciplines like Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, which are always solid choices. Then there are the humanities and social sciences, offering avenues into subjects like Anthropology, History, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology. Want to dive into languages and cultures? Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish are all on the table, alongside more specialized areas like African & African-American Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, and Latin American Studies.
For those with a creative streak, minors in Art, Art History, Creative Media Production, Dance History, and Film & Media Studies beckon. And if technology is your calling, Computer Science, Computational Technology, and Geographic Information Systems are readily available.
Beyond the traditional, OU also offers some really interesting and contemporary options. Think about minors in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or Environmental Sustainability – crucial fields for today's world. There are also minors focused on specific career paths or interdisciplinary interests, such as Aviation Management, Broadcast Meteorology, Construction Science, Entrepreneurship (for both business and non-business majors), Healthcare, Human Relations, Intelligence & National Security, International Development, and Public Affairs and Administration.
Even within broader fields, there are often specialized tracks. For instance, you can find minors in English Literary and Cultural Studies or English Writing, or different focuses within Sociology like Criminology. The list goes on, touching on everything from Constitutional Studies and Economics to Music and Religious Studies.
It's clear that OU aims to provide students with the flexibility to tailor their education. Whether you're looking to deepen your knowledge in a related field, explore a completely new area of interest, or acquire a skill that complements your major, there's a good chance you'll find a minor that fits your academic journey. The key is to explore, see what sparks your curiosity, and then check those specific requirements in the General Catalog to make sure it aligns with your degree plan.
