Declaring the Major
As a declared sociology major, you will have a distinct advantage in enrolling in upper division sociology courses (see TeleBEARS Registration). It is recommended that you officially declare as soon as you're ready to do so. You are eligible to declare if you have the following: 1) a 2.0 cumulative and major g.p.a. with at least one course completed in the major; and 2) the three prerequisite courses completed or in progress (see listing under Major Requirements). You can declare as soon as you enroll on TeleBEARS in the last of your prerequisites. If you are a double major, you must declare your second major at least one semester before you graduate in order to satisfy residency requirements in the major.
Once the prerequisite courses are completed or in progress, you should complete the necessary paperwork listed below and meet with one of the Undergraduate Advisors in Barrows Hall during their office hours Monday through Friday 9-12; 1-4. You may declare anytime during the year, except for the first two weeks of classes in the Spring and Fall semester.
The process to declare generally takes 10-15 minutes. You must submit the following when you declare:
The blue "Data Sheet for Sociology Majors," both sides completed before the appointment. This form is available for download online, and is also available outside 426 Barrows.
A copy of your transcript if you took any of the prerequisites at another college or university. You may also need to supply a description of sociology coursework taken outside of UC Berkeley. Coursework that you have taken or are currently enrolled in at UC Berkeley will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Advisor on the campus computer network.
When you meet with an Undergraduate Advisor you will complete the "Petition To Declare A Major" form, which you will then walk over to the College of Letters and Science as official notification that you want to declare the sociology major. L&S usually approves and enters your major into the campus database within a day or two.
A student file will be set up to maintain your records in the department. Your records will be maintained in the Department until five years after you graduate.