A minor in a discipline of your choice outside the Art Department brings a new dimension of conceptual understanding to your emerging studio practice and opens multiple entry points for potential future career paths.
BSVA majors who entered as freshmen are encouraged to declare a minor at the completion of their third or fourth semester (or between 30 and 60 credits completed).
BSVA majors who entered as transfers may need to declare a minor by the end of their first semester at SUNY New Paltz (depending on how many credits are transferred).
A minor typically requires between 18 and 25 credits.
A complete list of the over 70 minor options at New Paltz can be found here.
Many Minors require a grade of a “C-“ or better for the course to count in the Minor. Students should consult the department regarding minimum grade requirements for courses used to fulfill the minor.
A Declaration of Minor Form may be found here.
Students who wish to pursue a minor must contact the department offering the minor to submit the Declaration of Change webform. Once the changes are processed, the student will receive an email acknowledgement, and the change will be reflected on the progress report. At least half of the credits for the minor must not be contained within the program plan of the student's major (this includes major courses as well as required cognate courses). Students will be expected to fulfill the minor requirements that are in effect at the time the minor is officially declared. Transfer credits may be applied to minor requirements; however, half of the minor must be completed at New Paltz.
