Princeton - no double major? How about double minors?

gianievve · 01-16-2005, 05:16 PM

In the Undergraduate Announcement, under "Academic Regulations", it states that although it may be possible to fulfil the concentration requirements of two departments, students are granted a degree from one department. Does this mean that double majors are completely out of the question, or are there exceptions to this?

How about Princeton's certificate programs? Is there a limit to the number of certificates you can obtain?

What is the best option for someone who wants to have a "double minor" at Princeton?

jssballet · 01-16-2005, 05:30 PM

as I understand it (from what I remember from a tour guide, so it may be very very wrong...), double majors are highly discouraged due to the independent work expected junior and senior years (do you really want to write 2 theses? cause you'd have to to get a double major). But, you can get certificates in as many things as you'd like, I mean, obviously, there's a lot of work that goes into it, but if you choose to do it, it's possible to get multiple certificates.

philntex · 01-16-2005, 05:36 PM

You can get multiple certificates without a problem. I've read of people who've received up to three or four. Depending on how you mean to schedule your time (i.e. how many 5-course semesters you'd like to take), it's totally possible to get multiple certificates. I know I plan to do so, especially since some of the certificates only require 4-5 courses to earn one. Getting a certificate in certain departments/programs (e.g. Theatre and Dance) is fairly easy, so it'll leave you room to complete other ones as well.

It also depends upon what you're concentrating in and what your concentration's requirements are. For instance, a friend of mine is concentrating in sociology and getting a certificate in East Asian Studies. Several of the requirements overlap, so she'll be able to complete both with no problem, leaving her able to pursue other certificates or courses at her discretion.

sicarii · 01-17-2005, 02:21 PM

i agree with phil, if i get accepted, then i'm definetely going to get at least 2 certificates, maybe more, depending on requirements.

prettyfish · 01-17-2005, 02:42 PM

I had a dream last night that I was at Princeton, and in a room with 7 people, and we had this crazy ice cream, but it's relevant because also I was going to get 7 certificates. But only spend 4 years there. I'm impressed.

Here's a question: In the UA, talking about certificates, most that I've read say that your thesis has to be about it - i.e. to get an Afro-American Studies certificate, you take like 4 classes but then also your thesis should be about a topic related. What if that's impossible? I.E. I'm doing math - how exactly does my proof of a magical function relate to /anything/ other than math?

zantedeschia · 01-17-2005, 02:52 PM

Shoudn't your thesis be on your concentration, not the certificate?

philntex · 01-17-2005, 02:56 PM

Some programs that offer certificates want your thesis to include topics from their department as well. So yeah, it might be difficult to combine math with something like creative writing, but I dunno. Many elect to pursue certificates in related areas (especially in the bajillion "programs," "councils," and "centers" that Princeton has) so as to avoid that problem. Interesting question, though.