In addition to degree and general education requirements, the College requires each student choose a field of special concentration, a major. Each department and program at Bates offer majors and the requirements for completing each major are listed in the departmental introductions in the Catalog. A listing of the available majors may be found in the Catalog.

Students may declare more than one major. Completing a double major requires completion of all major requirements, including the comprehensive examination and/or the thesis, in two academic departments or programs. Beginning with the class of 2010, students must declare their major no later than March 1st of the sophomore year. Students who have not declared will not be able to register or return for the next semester.

Major declarations may be made online through the Garnet Gateway. Once a major has been initiated in the Garnet Gateway, students must meet in-person with the department/program chair and the prospective major advisor before a major can be approved by the department/program.

Minors offer students exposure to a discipline without the depth of a major and are available in a number of different departments. A listing of department/programs offering minors is available in the Catalog. Minor requirements are also listed in the departmental introductions in the Catalog. Like the major, minors may also be declared online through the Garnet Gateway. Once a minor has been initiated in the Garnet Gateway, students must meet in-person with the prospective minor advisor before a minor can be approved by the department/program.