Change of Major
Interested in joining a SOVA major?
Upcoming Information Sessions
Art History
- Wednesday, 10/9 at 1:00 pm in Henderson 353 *Note, new time
Creative Technologies
- Monday, 10/7 at 5:30 pm in Architecture Annex Room 114
- Tuesday, 10/29 at 5:30 pm in Architecture Annex Room 7
Graphic Design
- Monday, 10/7 at 11:15 am via Zoom - register here.
- Friday, 11/1 at 2:00 pm in Henderson 203
Studio Art
- Friday, 10/4 at 3:00 pm in CID 116
- Wednesday, 10/30 at 3:30 pm in CID 116
Art History:
Art History is an unrestricted major. We welcome all students who wish to major in Art History.
- To change your primary major to Art History, please follow the university’s procedures for changing majors during one of the three designated change of major times of the year.
- To add Art History as a second major, you may submit a Request to Change Second Major form at any time throughout the year.
Creative Technologies, Graphic Design, and Studio Art:
Creative Technologies, Graphic Design, and Studio Art are restricted majors.
- Fall 2024: We are accepting change of major applications for Spring 2024 entry into the Creative Technologies, Graphic Design, and Studio Art majors.
- 2.5 GPA
- No more than 72 credits attempted. Includes all transfer credits, courses attempted at Virginia Tech, and course withdrawals.
- Application. Due: November 1, 2024. If you would like to be considered for more than one SOVA major, please submit an application for each major you wish to pursue. See below for a preview of application questions.
- Unofficial transcript. You will be asked to upload a PDF of your unofficial transcript, which can be found in Hokie Spa.
- Portfolios are NOT required. If you wish, you will have the option to submit a link to a portfolio or reel of your work. However, applications will be considered holistically and with the understanding that students have varying levels of prior experience with art and design. We welcome all applications, with or without portfolios.
- Optional: If you have taken an ART class and would like to list an instructor who can serve as a reference, you will have the opportunity to list their name on your application.
Students should be aware of the number of in-major courses required by each major and the minimum time to completion once in the major due to the sequential nature of the curriculum:
- Creative Technologies:
- 78-87 credits, depending on catalog year (inc. 12 credits that may meet Pathways requirements)
- 6 or more Fall/Spring semesters from the time you enter the major, assuming all Pathways are complete, and depending on course availability
- Graphic Design:
- 75-81 credits, depending on catalog year (inc. 9 credits that may meet Pathways requirements)
- 7 or more Fall/Spring semesters from the time you enter the major, assuming all Pathways are complete, and depending on course availability
- Studio Art:
- 75 credits (inc. 9 credits that may meet Pathways requirements)
- 5-6 or more Fall/Spring semesters from the time you enter the major, assuming all Pathways are complete, and depending on course availability
| DATE | |
| 10/2 | Applications open |
| 11/1 | Applications close at 11:59 p.m. |
| 11/22 | Students notified of decisions (on or before this date) |
Applications will be open October 2 to November 1.
Preview of application questions:
- Why are you interested in pursuing this major? (150 words max.)
- What would you like the review committee to know about you? (150 words max.)
- Please upload a PDF of your unofficial transcript from Hokie Spa. Tip: Print the page and select Adobe PDF as the printer. IMPORTANT: change the filename to your first and last name.
- OPTIONAL: If you have taken an ART class and would like to list an instructor who can serve as a reference, please list their name here.
- OPTIONAL: Link to a portfolio or reel of your work. Applications will be considered holistically and with the understanding that students have varying levels of prior experience with art and design. We welcome all applications, with or without portfolios.
Students who are accepted into a restricted SOVA major will then need to complete one of the following additional steps:
- To change your primary major to a restricted SOVA major, please submit a Hokie Spa Change of Major Application, Nov. 29, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025. Note: First-semester students will not be able to access the Hokie Spa Change of Major Application until final grades have been posted on Dec. 23, 2024.
- To add a restricted SOVA major as a second major, please submit the AAD Request to Change Second Major form no later than Jan. 3, 2025.