Change of Major
Interested in joining a SOVA major?
Upcoming Information Sessions
- Art History
Friday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the Art History Lounge (HEND 351) - Creative Technologies
Thursday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m., in the Architecture Annex, Room 114 - Graphic Design
Tuesday, October 17 at 3:30 p.m., register for Zoom session - Studio Art
Friday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Creativity and Innovation District, Room 116
Art History:
Art History is an unrestricted major. We welcome all students who wish to major in Art History.
If you would like to change your primary major to Art History, you may follow the university’s procedures for changing majors during one of the three designated change of major times of the year.
If you would like 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. We will be accepting applications for Spring 2024 entry into these 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, 2023. 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 | |
| 10/18 |
Applications open |
| 11/1 | Applications close at 11:59 p.m. |
| 12/8 | Students notified of decisions (on or before this date) |
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, beginning December 12, 2023. Note: First-semester students will not be able to access the Hokie Spa Change of Major Application until final grades have been posted (December 18, 2023).
- To add a restricted SOVA major as a second major, please submit the AAD Request to Change Second Major form.
Applications will be open October 18 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.