One of the things your student may have an interest in is a minor.  You might be asked to help your son/daughter in deciding on a minor.  Here is some information about minors that could help you in giving advice to your son/daughter.

• A minor typically consists of 15-21 credit hours
• Some courses for a major can also be counted in a minor
• Generally pursuing a minor does not extend the stay in college since courses in a minor can be taken as “add-ons” to each semester’s schedule or taken in the summer.
• In some cases, a student may pursue multiple minors.

 Here’s some advice that you might give your son/daughter about a minor.

1. Use a minor as a way of supporting employment prospects after graduation especially if the student’s major does not have an identifiable job market.
2. If the student’s major has a clearly identifiable job market, suggest that your student pursue a minor of personal interest as a way of broadening his/her background.
3. Don’t delay graduation to pursue a minor.
4. Consult with your advisor about pursuing a minor.  Often an advisor can offer helpful guidance on classes to take and fitting in these classes with the major requirements.

You might think of a minor as getting a little extra out of your college investment.  If done well, a minor can be both fun and beneficial to a student..