Minors & Certificates


Minors can be a great way to pursue your passion, supplement your education, or enrich your studies and future career by spanning across disciplines. View KU's minor options!

What is a minor?

A minor is a secondary area of study. Requirements vary but usually involve about eighteen hours, at least twelve of which must be at the junior/senior level (300+ numbered courses). A minor can be in nearly any discipline and can be in a College or Professional School that is different from your own (with a few exceptions). For example, you can major in psychology and minor in business, major in journalism and minor in German, or major in biology and minor in dance. The possibilities are endless!

Do I need a minor?

Unless you are earning a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree, you do not need to have a minor. For Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, a minor is optional!

Why would I want a minor?

Minors can be a great way to pursue your passion or interests. For example, you may have studied piano for years, but you probably aren’t going to make it to Carnegie Hall. With a minor, you can continue to develop and nurture your talent with professional instructors while dedicating the majority of your education to another career-minded pursuit.

A minor can also supplement your educational or career goals. For example, you may want to minor in a language if you are going to be a teacher or business person or work abroad or in government. An education across disciplines has never been more important, and a minor can help bring together different ideas, concepts, and expertise to engage you with new ways of thinking and exciting technologies. 

Thinking creatively is one of the most desirable qualities that employers are seeking in new hires. When you minor in something that is both different from and complementary to your major, you develop new ways of thinking and bring a fresh perspective that can help you stand out in the job market.

Certificates

KU offers a wide variety of experiential learning programs and certificates that provide fantastic opportunities for undergraduate students. Whether you're looking to build your resume, gain hands-on experience, or take your education beyond the classroom, KU has you covered. All completed experiential learning certificates will be notated on your academic transcript.

There are two main types of certificates at KU:

  • The experiential learning certificate where you complete coursework and hands-on experience

  • The classroom certificate where you take around 4 classes to further your understanding on a particular subject.

View the comprehensive list of all KU certificates.