What you need to know

To apply for a double major, you must be an undergraduate with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher. Students with a lower GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must provide a letter with their application explaining why an exception is justified. You must also have completed at least three terms, including at least one in a department with a declared major. Transfer students must complete at least two terms at MIT, including at least one in a department with a declared major.

To receive a double major, you must complete the General Institute Requirements (GIRs) and the requirements of both majors. You must also complete two CI-M subjects per major to fulfill the communication component. However, if a subject is approved as CI-M in both majors, you may use it to fulfill the Communication Intensive component of both programs simultaneously, with the approval of the Subcommittee on the Communication Requirement (SOCR).

If you are unable to complete all the requirements for both programs, you will need to choose between graduating with a single major and continuing until you complete the second. If you decide to graduate, you may not return to MIT to complete the second major. Those who continue beyond eight terms should check with Student Financial Services regarding the impact on their financial aid.

Double major combinations that are not allowed:

  • Second majors in the same area as your primary major (e.g., 2 and 2-A)
  • Interdisciplinary majors with areas in common (e.g., 11-6 and 6-9)
  • Combinations of 21S or 21E and a major with areas in common with the composite degree (e.g., 21S and 8 in which the science portion is physics)
  • 14-2 and 18 or 18-C
  • 20 and 6-7
  • 18-C and any Course 6 or interdisciplinary or composite degree that includes computer science

What you need to do 

  • Check your GPA eligibility by viewing your grade report on WebSIS.
  • Make note of the combinations not allowed and the special instructions and approvals needed (see below) for applications including Courses 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 18, and 21.
  • Review Choosing to Double Major and develop an academic plan with your faculty advisor. 
  • Complete a Double Major Application and ask your faculty advisor to sign it.
  • Review your application and academic plan with an administrator or advisor from your proposed second major and obtain their signature.
  • Obtain additional department signatures, if required in the special instructions and approvals.
  • Attach letters of explanation, if needed. Reasons could include late submission or a GPA less than 4.0.
  • Submit your completed application – with all required signatures, including your own – to the Committee on Curricula (CoC) at curricula@mit.edu by Add Date of your second-to-last term.
    • Late applications require a letter of explanation and will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the CoC’s discretion.
  • To make changes to your double major, visit Changing a Major.

Special instructions and approvals needed 

For applications including Course 2, 2-A, or 2-OE:

  • Your application must be signed by the Mechanical Engineering undergraduate officer whether Course 2 is the primary or secondary major.
  • No more than 24 units in the student-designed part of the 2-A program may be required subjects or restricted electives in the other major.
  • You must have an approved 2-A concentration proposal on file with the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Office.

For applications including Course 3:

  • If Course 3 is your primary major, your application must be reviewed and signed by your advisor and the undergraduate academic administrator.
  • If Course 3 is your secondary major, your application must be signed by the chair of the Course 3 Undergraduate Committee or the undergraduate academic administrator.
  • No more than 24 units in the Course 3-A major may be applied toward the other major. 18.03 is the exception and can be applied to both programs above the 24 unit overlap limit.

For applications including Course 5:

  • Your application must be reviewed and signed by the department’s academic administrator whether Course 5 is the primary or secondary major.

For applications including Course 6:

  • Your application must be reviewed and signed by a staff member in the Course 6 undergraduate office unless your additional major is 6-9 or 11-6, which are administered by Course 9 and 11.

For applications including the Master of Engineering program in Course 6:

  • Be a currently registered undergraduate.
  • Apply before entering the graduate phase of the program, even if you expect to receive the SB at the same time as the MEng.

For applications including Course 7:

  • Your application must be reviewed and signed by the department’s academic administrator whether Course 7 is the primary or secondary major.

For applications including Course 18:

  • If Course 18 is your secondary major, your application must be reviewed and signed by the department’s undergraduate coordinator.

For applications including Course 21, 21E, or 21S:

  • If your secondary major is 21, 21E, or 21S, you will need to apply for an interdisciplinary major with the SHASS academic administrator before submitting a double major application.
    • This step is not necessary if 21, 21E, or 21S is your primary major; it was part of your initial major declaration.
  • Generally, double major applications that include 21, 21E, or 21S should be signed by the corresponding SHASS department.