Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If your CLAS question is not answered below send it to: wwwclas2@sp.uconn.edu

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How do I get the CLAS Dean’s signature?

The Academic Services Center has staff members who are authorized to sign for the dean in matters such as taking excess credits, adding or dropping a course after the deadline, and more.

Who is my advisor?

If you have gone to the department of your major and formally declared your major, you should have been assigned a faculty advisor.  The name of that advisor will appear at the top of your latest academic evaluation.  Your major department or the CLAS Academic Services Center (486-2822) can also get you this information.

If you have not declared your major, your advisor will be in ACES www.uei.uconn.edu/aces/ 486-1788. 

How do I declare my major?

You go to the major department contact to formally declare your major.

Clickfor a list of departments and contacts.

How do I declare a minor?

You don’t have to formally declare a minor.  In fact, you don’t have to have a minor at all.  If you elect to earn one however, you can choose from any minor offered by the University, even if it is not in CLAS.  Go to the contact person in the department offering your minor and ask to meet with a faculty advisor who will go over the minor plan of study.  Once you have completed the minor requirements, be sure that you submit a minor plan of study to Degree Auditing at the same time you submit your major plan of study.  (Note:  You must earn a C or above in each minor course and no substitutions are allowed.)  Go to this site for a listing of majors & minors in CLAS.

Will the minor be listed on my diploma?

No, the minor will only be listed on your transcript?

I want to do a double major; what do I do?

Come to the Academic Services Center and get a double major form.  Fill out the top part, take it to both major departments and have a faculty advisor sign for each.  Return it to the ASC to have it approved, and processed.

What if I want to do an additional degree in another school?

You can get an additional degree form from your present school or the one you want to add.  You can also do two degrees in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  We have the forms to start this process at the Academic Services Center.

What is the difference between an additional degree and a double major?

A double major can be earned in two majors offered by CLAS only.  You cannot earn a double major in two different schools or colleges.  This option does not entail added credits to the 120 needed to graduate.  Your diploma will have one degree and will list two majors ie. BA in English and Sociology.

An additional degree can be earned in two different schools or colleges with an added 30 credits at the 200 level over the degree with the higher credit requirement.  You will receive two degrees ie. BA in English and BS in Engineering and at graduation you will receive two diplomas.

I want to register for a course that is full. What can I do?

You can ask the instructor of the course if you can overenroll.  Only the instructor can grant this permission.

What if I want to take more that 17 credits next semester?

If you earned a 2.6 GPA in your last semester you can take 18 credits without permission.  Otherwise you need an excess credit form signed by your advisor and your academic dean.  You get the Dean’s signature at the Academic Services Center.

Can I drop a course after the ninth week of classes?

Your academic dean can give you permission to drop a course after the ninth week only for circumstances above and beyond your control.  Come to the CLAS Academic Services Center for more information on this process.

What if I want a substitution?

Permission to substitute a course you have taken for a course required to complete your degree can be given by the staff of the Academic Services Center under certain circumstances.  Call 486-2822 or make an appointment for more information.

A course can be converted to a “W” only if you are a graduating senior who cannot complete your degree without such a conversion and if an instructor has agreed to work with you.  Forms and instructions are available at the ASC.  This must be done no later than the second week of the semester.

Many students take courses at colleges closer to home over the summer or during intercession.  To do so, students should obtain in advance a “Transfer Course Approval” form from the Transfer Admissions office, where it will be determined if the course will transfer or not.

Will a course taken elsewhere count toward a General Education requirement?

Students should consult their advisor to determine whether or not the course will fulfill a general education requirement or count as an elective.

Will courses taken elsewhere count toward the student’s grade point average?

No.  It is standard for all colleges to count only work done within the institution for the grade point average and for honors designations. Thus, the course and the credits transfer but the grade does not.  In addition, the University requires that the student earn a C- or better in a course for it to be eligible for transfer.

What about courses taken at the UConn regional campuses?

These are UConn courses.  They count the same as any other UConn courses, and no transfer action is required.

Can students transfer work toward major requirements?

Only courses taken at UConn can be applied towards the 200-level major requirements, unless an exception is made by the student’s major department and dean.  Transfer Admissions can supply students with the name of the designated department evaluator who will review the transfer coursework to evaluate its equivalency.