Major Change Credit Impact Calculator
Use this tool to estimate the impact of switching your academic major. It calculates **Credits That Count**, **Lost Credits** (non-applicable courses), and estimates your **New Graduation Timeline**. This helps you make an informed decision by clearly visualizing credit retention and remaining requirements.
*This input serves as a policy note; the main transfer eligibility is set by the course checkbox.
Completed Courses List
Summary Report
Timeline Estimate
Credit Category Breakdown
Credit Retention Progress
(Calculated Credits Retained vs. Total Completed)
Understanding the Major Change Credit Impact
Switching majors is a significant academic decision that can have a profound impact on your graduation timeline and financial outlay. The primary concern is always: **How many of my completed credits will transfer to my new program?** This calculator provides a detailed, granular answer by breaking down your earned credits into transferable (Counted) and non-transferable (Lost) categories. Understanding the distinction between these two totals is essential for financial planning and academic success. A high percentage of retained credits means a smoother transition and a quicker path to graduation.
How to Use the Calculator Effectively
Start by selecting your **Current Major** and your **New Major**. Accurately input all the courses you have completed. For each course, you must enter the **Credits Earned**, the **Course Grade/Pass Status**, and the **Credit Category** (General Education, Core, or Elective). The most critical input is the **"Count?" checkbox** under Equivalency Mapping. You must manually assess or check with your advisor if a completed course fulfills a requirement in the *New Major*. Only check this box if the course is directly applicable to the new curriculum requirements.
Calculation Formula and Core Logic
The calculation hinges on simple, yet critical, subtraction and division. The core logic is implemented in JavaScript following these priorities:
**1. Total Completed Credits:** Sum of all 'Credits Earned Per Course'.
**2. Credits That Count (Transferable):** Sum of 'Credits Earned Per Course' where the 'Count?' checkbox is **checked**.
**3. Lost Credits:** Total Completed Credits - Credits That Count.
**4. Percentage of Credits Retained:** ($$ \frac{\text{Credits That Count}}{\text{Total Completed Credits}} \times 100 $$)
**5. Remaining Credits:** Total Credits Required for New Major - Credits That Count.
**6. Estimated Semesters:** $$ \lceil \frac{\text{Remaining Credits}}{15} \rceil $$ (Assuming a full-time load of 15 credits per semester, rounded up).
Importance of These Calculations
This detailed report is more than just numbers; it's a predictive planning tool. The **Remaining Credits** figure dictates your future course load, and the **Estimated Semesters** offers a realistic timeline, helping you avoid unexpected tuition costs. By breaking down the **Credit Category Breakdown**, you can see where your current efforts are most transferable (often General Education and Electives are safer bets than specific Core Major Requirements). This insight allows for smarter course selection moving forward, even if you ultimately decide to stick with your current program.
Furthermore, the ability to account for **Custom Institution Policies**, such as a Minimum Grade for Credit Transfer, allows for a more personalized and accurate assessment of your credit eligibility, although the main eligibility is driven by the user's input on the 'Count?' checkbox based on advisory consultation.
Related Tips for a Successful Major Change
- **Consult Early:** Speak with an advisor in both your current and intended majors before submitting any formal change request.
- **Audit the Curriculum:** Print out the course catalog for the new major and manually map your completed courses to the requirements.
- **Financial Aid Impact:** Changing majors can affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or time-to-completion limits, which can jeopardize financial aid eligibility.
- **Consider a Minor:** If many of your 'Lost Credits' belong to a cohesive field, consider completing a minor to maximize their value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Counted Credits are those successfully mapped and accepted by the new major's curriculum (e.g., your General Education math course counts toward the new degree). Lost Credits are courses that are not required or not accepted in the new major, effectively becoming surplus.
The estimate is based on the remaining required credits divided by an assumed full-time load (15 credits per semester), rounded up. It's a general guide. Your actual timeline may vary based on course availability, prerequisites, and personal pace.
Yes, but this is highly dependent on institutional policy. While many institutions accept 'Pass' for Electives or General Education, core major courses often require a minimum letter grade (like a 'C' or higher) to transfer. Always check the specific new major's requirements.
It shows which category of credits (Core, GenEd, Elective) contributed most to your Counted Credits. This is useful because General Education credits are typically the most transferable across different programs.
Always input the **full credit value** you earned. Use the **'Count?' checkbox** to indicate if that full value is applicable to the new major. The calculator's logic handles the transfer/loss calculation based on the checkbox status.
