Process of Declaring Majors and Academic Advising in Undergraduate Education:

A Comparative Study between U.S. and Japan

Abstract

This paper discusses how undergraduate students choose their majors and how universities support students’ decision making. In Japan, university applicants are required to choose schools/colleges. They often have to decide upon a department or major in which they wish to graduate. Recently, some universities adopted “late specialization,” which allows students to delay their decisions. Japanese universities have a long tradition wherein schools/colleges control students’ enrollments. “Late specialization” does not mean students can get into universities with a “undecided” status. Students are always required to make decisions on schools/colleges. Once students have matriculated, they are not expected to change affiliations. In the U.S., the system of students choosing majors is more flexible. Even though students are required to choose their prospective majors when they apply to universities, their choices are not final. Students are allowed to explore general education and ask academic advisors’ help. Not small numbers of students change initial considerations before declaring majors. In addition, students can choose the undecided status. Some universities have divisions that accommodate students who are still exploring their options. The divisions prepare opportunities to help students make their own study plans. Based on the different admission structures for choosing majors, we should consider what we can learn regarding students’ self-development by exploring majors, and how universities can help students working on these processes.