Earn a Minor in One Semester
Your SIT Study Abroad semester is more than an opportunity to learn in a new part of the world—it is an academically rigorous experience that can complement your studies at your home institution. Eligible SIT semester programs allow you to declare an SIT minor, providing formal recognition of the depth of academic learning you complete while abroad. This standout credential can help boost your future job or graduate school applications.
Declaring a minor does not require additional coursework, add to the cost of your program, or change your study abroad experience. Explore the Frequently Asked Questions below to learn how SIT minors work, how to select one, and how they appear on your academic record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a minor?
A minor is an additional area of study that students can pursue to acquire expertise and skill in an academic discipline of interest. SIT recognizes a minimum of 16 credits taken within a content area / academic discipline as a minor.
SIT is an accredited academic institution, allowing us to award students a minor for the coursework on a semester program. They are SIT’s way of recognizing the depth of learning students attain as demonstrated in their coursework and projects.
Do I have to select a minor?
Minors are optional. If you don’t declare a minor, you can still complete the program.
Are there any pre-requisites for minors?
No, there are no pre-requisites for minors beyond what may be required for the program.
Is it any extra work or additional academic rigor?
Minors require no additional work. Minors reflect the rigor of the SIT program as demonstrated through our standard coursework.
Does earning a minor cost extra?
There are no additional costs associated with opting for a minor.
How do minors transfer back to my home university?
Courses transfer based on agreements between SIT and your home university. Minors are issued independently by SIT and will be reflected on your SIT-issued transcript. The minor will not be listed on the transcript issued from your home university.
How do I declare a minor?
If you choose to declare a minor, you must do so on the admissions application when you apply for the program of your choice. Minors cannot be designated retroactively.
After choosing the program you will apply to, a drop-down menu will appear with the minor options that are available for that program. Select from the option(s) presented, and your choice of minor will be saved as part of your application.
How does the minor differ from what I will already be studying on program?
Declaring a minor does not change the SIT program course of study. Our programs, as they currently exist, qualify as a minor, so no additional work is required. Selecting a minor will not change your experience or coursework in the program.
How does the minor differ from what I will already be studying on program?
Declaring a minor does not change the SIT program course of study. Our programs, as they currently exist, qualify as a minor, so no additional work is required. Selecting a minor will not change your experience or coursework in the program.
If there are two minors offered on the program does that mean that I get to double-minor?
While a program can list multiple minors, the student must declare one minor only.
What are the benefits of choosing one minor over the other (when more than one is offered)?
This will vary by student and will likely relate to the major you are pursuing at your home institution. For example, if you are an Environmental Studies major at your university, an Arctic Studies minor might be a good complement to your primary degree, while an Environmental Science minor might be redundant. When possible, we offer two minor options so students can select the one that is most appropriate for their academic and professional goals.
Are there any restrictions on courses counting toward the minor?
The minimum grade for a course to count towards a minor is C. In order to receive a minor, students must earn a minimum of C in all courses.
Can I receive a digital badge/certification to add to my LinkedIn or other professional profile to say that I have a minor from SIT?
We encourage you to include your SIT program and SIT minor in the Education section of your LinkedIn profile. At present we don’t have a formal digital badge you can use to advertise your SIT minor. For support around showcasing your credentials, feel free to contact the SIT Career Center.
Do employers/graduate schools recognize SIT minors?
SIT is a nationally accredited higher education institution. All employers/graduate schools will recognize a SIT minor as shown on your SIT transcript.