Declaring a Minor

For reference: School of Public Health minors | UMN graduate minors

Students have the option to choose a minor to complement their program of study. There are many graduate level minors throughout the University. The minors are listed in the Minors section of the Graduate School Catalog. The process to declare a minor is based on specific criteria. Select the criteria below that fits your situation and follow the steps indicated.

  1. Inform your program coordinator of your interest in declaring a minor. Together, you will assess if pursuing the minor fits into your SPH plan. At that time, your program coordinator will discuss the Grad School Work-flow and the importance of clearing the program degree and minor at the same time.*
  2. Complete the UMN Graduate Minor Request
  3. Confirm the courses you will take to fulfill minor. You will need to seek review and approval from the Director of Graduate studies for the minor program you are pursuing. The DGS contact is listed on the SPH Minors website
  4. At least one term prior to graduation, meet with your program coordinator to complete the remaining information on the SPH form.
  5. Students who are completing minors need to officially declare a minor in order for the minor to be processed with the degree conferral
  6. All students will be cleared for their program and minor requirements by either the SPH Registrar or the Graduate School.

*A graduate-level course can be applied toward either the major or the minor/other requirement, but not both

  1. Inform your program coordinator of your interest in declaring a minor. Together, you will assess if pursuing the minor fits into your SPH plan, and will review the UMN Graduate Degree Plan form. At that time, your program coordinator will discuss the Grad School Work-flow and the importance of clearing the program degree and minor at the same time.*
  2. Complete the UMN graduate minor request online
  3. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the minor to determine required and elective courses to fulfill requirements of the minor, and to obtain their signature on the UMN Graduate Minor Request form. If not listed in the link provided, you can find DGS contact information on the minor or department website.
  4. Complete the UMN Graduate Degree Plan form and send the completed form to your program coordinator.**
  5. When you are ready to be cleared for graduation:
    1. You need to apply for graduation
    2. Program coordinator will contact the graduate and professional coordinator for the minor to inform them that you have completed requirements (per Graduate Degree Plan form documentation).
    3. Program coordinator will attach the completed SPH minor form document to your Study Plan, and will send it to SPH Student Services for clearance.
  6. The SPH Registrar will clear you for your program and minor requirements.

* Delays in the minor can delay the degree clearance process.
** Courses for a minor can be counted toward an MPH or MHA degree.

  1. Inform SPH program coordinator of your interest in declaring a SPH minor. Together, you will assess if pursuing the minor fits into your SPH plan, and will review the SPH Graduate Degree Plan – Declare a Minor (Non-SPH Graduate Student) (PDF) form. At that time, your program coordinator will discuss the Grad School Work-flow and the importance of clearing the major program degree and minor at the same time.*
  2. Complete the UMN Graduate Minor Request form.
  3. Confirm the courses you will take to fulfill minor. You will need to seek review and approval from the Director of Graduate studies for the minor program you are pursuing. The DGS contact is listed on the SPH Minors website.
  4. Complete the SPH Graduate Degree Plan – Declare a Minor (Non-SPH Graduate Student) (PDF) form, and send the completed form to your program coordinator.**
  5. At least one term prior to graduation, meet with your program coordinator to complete the remaining information on the SPH form.
  6. When you are ready to be cleared for graduation:
    1. You need to apply for graduation
    2. Your program coordinator will attach the completed SPH minor form document to your Study Plan, and will send it to the SPH Student Services for clearance.
  7. The SPH Registrar will clear you for your program and minor requirements.

Questions? Contact your SPH program coordinator and/or the School of Public Health Student Services at sph-ask@umn.edu, 612-625-3490 or 800-774-8636.

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