Sophomore year is a time of decision making, in selecting your major and applying for study abroad. You also need to be conscious about your major while selecting courses, since for some majors there are specific courses that should be taken during the sophomore year. Here are some guidelines:
Major Declaration
The major declaration period begins at the conclusion of Add-Drop in September and ends on the Friday before Spring Break. If you are applying for study abroad, your major has to be declared prior to initiating the study abroad application. Click here to view details on the procedure of major declaration.
Don’t wait: If you already know your major, you should not wait to declare, as you can start establishing relationships with the curricular dean (the dean in charge of each major)* and the faculty mentor (if you choose to have one)**. Even if you are indecisive, don’t worry about going ahead; you will not be prevented from changing your major in the future as long as there is a good academic justification and you can still graduate on time.
*Starting with the major declaration, your advising dean changes from your first-year (or transfer) dean to the curricular dean.
** Having a faculty mentor is optional; a student who chooses to have a mentor is expected to construct a meaningful relationship with the faculty member.
Click here for more information on the majors.
You can also start thinking about if you would like to pursue one of the certificates or minors. Advising for certificates and minors is conducted by individual programs. Please note that some programs require an application for admittance and some have deadlines to apply.
Major-Related Courses during Sophomore Year
The following are general recommendations. You need to contact the curricular dean for a choice of courses that would match your specific study goals. You can now see how important it is to declare early and start working with your curricular dean.
Calculus I and II Waiver Tests
For majors and programs that require Calculus I (IECO, IPEC, GBUS, and BSBGA), if you do not have the credits for it yet, the Math Department will allow returning students to take the waiver tests for Calculus I (and Calculus II if you are interested).
Each of the calculus placement exams (Calculus I, Calculus II and Multivariable Calculus) will be given during New Student Orientation on Monday, August 24.
Here are the corresponding time slots (in EDT):
- MATH-035 (Calculus I): Start time: 12:00 pm, end time: 2:00 pm
- MATH 026 (Calculus II): Start time: 2:00 pm, end time: 4:00 pm
- MATH-137 (Multivariable Calculus): Start Time: 1:00 pm, end time: 4:00 pm
The Calculus I and II placement exams will be taken online – Click here to access the link for the exams. Students will have to create an account first. After they create an account and log on, they will see a tab ‘Enroll in a Class.’ They will have to click on it. After that, they should check the box for the class named ‘Placement Tests for Calculus I & Calculus II’ and click ‘Register.’ After they’ve enrolled in this class, they will see two tests, ‘Calculus I’ and ‘Calculus II.’ Students should select to take the appropriate test. The test must be completed in one sitting (which is obvious since there’s a time reserved for that during the NSO). Calculators are not allowed.
The placement exam for Multivariable Calculus is a handwritten exam which the Math Department, via Professor Michael Raney, will administer. The students will be expected to scan their solutions at the conclusion of the exam, then email them to Professor Raney. Please email Professor Raney directly if you are interested in taking the Multivariable Calculus exam.
Culture and Politics (CULP):
If you plan to study abroad in the fall of your junior year, you should consider taking Theorizing Culture and Politics (CULP 045) in the spring of your sophomore year. All students interested in CULP must attend a CULP information session (see The Globe for dates and times) before meeting one-on-one with Dean Pirrotti.
Global Business (GBUS):
Students interested in pursuing the major in Global Business will be admitted by application. The electronic application will be distributed to all Sophomores See The Globe for information session dates and times along with application details – this information will be posted in the coming weeks. The GBUS major requires as co-requisites ECON 243 International Trade and ECON-244 International Finance, so students should not enroll in ECON-242 International Economics. Calculus I, either in the form of MATH 035, AP credit, or equivalent, is a required prerequisite.
International Economics (IECO):
It is ideal to take Intermediate Micro in the fall, followed by Econ Stats of Intermediate Macro in the spring especially if you may study abroad during Junior year. If Intermediate Micro is full or does not fit your fall schedule, you can get started with Intermediate Macro or Econ Stats. Calculus I is a prerequisite for these courses.
International History (IHIS):
Students must select an area of study around which they construct their major coursework. Students interested in the major should meet with Dean Pirrotti prior to declaring to discuss their areas of interest. All IHIS students take HIST 305 Global Perspectives (fall only). IHIS students who study abroad during junior year must take HIST 305 either as sophomores or as seniors.
International Political Economy (IPEC):
The IPEC major requires as co-requisites ECON-243 International Trade and ECON-244 International Finance, so students should not be taking ECON-242 International Economics. It is ideal to take ECON 101 Intermediate Micro in the fall, followed by ECON-121 Econ Stats in the spring especially if you may study abroad during junior year. If Intermediate Micro is full or does not fit your fall schedule, you can get started with Econ Stats. Calculus I is a prerequisite for these courses. If you have not yet taken GOVT-060 International Relations, you should consider taking it this fall.
International Politics (IPOL):
You should have taken GOVT-060 International Relations by the end of the fall, and GOVT-040 Comparative Political Systems by the end of the spring. You may take one of the major courses in the spring and you should strongly consider taking INAF-320 Quantitative Methods for International Affairs, especially if you plan to study abroad in the fall of junior year. All students interested in IPOL MUST attend an IPOL information session (read The Globe for dates and times) before meeting one-on-one with Deans Aronson or Steinhelper.
Regional and Comparative Studies (RCST):
All RCST majors must choose a specific theme to explore within their region(s) of the world. This region/regions and the theme becomes the basis for course selection in the major. Students pursuing Regional Studies must explain how the theme applies to countries of interest within the selected theme. Comparative majors must justify the selection of regions against their selected theme.
Science, Technology, & International Affairs (STIA):
STIA majors should take STIA-305 Science & Tech in the Global Arena during the sophomore year.
The Add-Drop period ends on Friday, September 4.
Career Planning
It’s time to begin thinking about career options.
The Cawley Career Education Center educates students for lifelong career management through individualized consultations, workshops, job search tools, recruiting and a speakers program.
This program facilitates career-related conversations between students and alumni. It creates an opportunity for generations of Hoyas throughout the world to connect for in-person or virtual meetings in the form of an informational interview, resume review, mock interview of job shadowing.
Handshake is the career services platform where students can connect with employers, apply for jobs & internships, and learn about upcoming career events and workshops. Log-in today with your net ID and password, set up your profile, and begin exploring opportunities today.
- Explore DC Career Series
This program facilitates local employer site visits designed for career exploration and internship opportunities. Check Handshake for announcements or contact Tina S. Gaddy for more information.
- SFS Friends Program:
This program provides students with informal access to accomplished professionals working in the DC area in career fields which are likely to be of interest to SFS graduates. SFS Friends partner with small groups of students to mentor, advise, and connect students with career-related opportunities during the sophomore, junior, and senior years. Interested students should contact Dean Murphy.
Schedule an Appointment
To officially declare your major, please make an appointment with the curricular dean for the major you wish to select.
Wishing you the very best to the start of an exciting year.
Mitch Kaneda, Senior Associate Dean and Director of the Undergraduate Program (IPEC major)
Samuel Aronson, Assistant Dean (IPOL major, last name L-Z)
Kendra Billingslea, Associate Dean (GBUS major)
Lisa Gordinier, Assistant Dean (RCST major)
Mini Murphy, Associate Dean (STIA major)
Anthony Pirrotti, Associate Dean (CULP and IHIS majors)
Polly Robey, Associate Dean (IECO major)
Anna Steinhelper, Associate Dean (IPOL major, last name A-K)