Students are required to declare a major by the time they have completed 90 units.

With this in mind, a future hold is placed in Winter quarter of a student's second year if they have not yet declared a major. This hold will block course registration on the effective date. Students are required to submit an approved Academic Plan to have the hold moved forward to the quarter when the student is projected to reach 90 units*. Once the student has officially declared a major, the undeclared hold will be removed. 

*Note: The 90-unit calculation does not include units completed prior to matriculating at UC Davis (i.e., AP, IB, transfer units from high school).

What to do if you have a hold

When your hold is placed in Winter quarter, you will need to do the following.

Make plans to declare a major

Contact your intended major department and submit an Academic Plan to meet the requirements to declare your intended major prior to completing 90 units. Submit the plan for approval by the major department in OASIS. You may connect with a major department by using the appointment system or drop-in advising, or emailing the department to request an appointment. 

  • Are you ready and eligible to declare your major?
    Submit a Change of Major petition online through OASIS. When the Change of Major is approved, your hold will be removed.  Hint: Check the Catalog and major department website for any requirements to declare the major. If possible, meet with a major advisor to create an academic plan (OASIS – forms & petitions).
  • Are you not on track to meet the requirements to declare your major before completing 90 units?
    Please schedule a one-on-one appointment with a College of Letters and Science advisor to discuss your options and make a plan to declare an alternate major.
  • Are you unsure of what to declare as your major? 
    Check out our on-line major exploration resources to explore your options and talk with a College of Letters & Science advisor to support you through the process.
Check the effective date

The effective date can be found in Schedule Builder and OASIS. This hold will not block your registration until that date. For example, if a hold has an effective date in March for Spring quarter, it will not prevent registration during Pass 1 in February. 

 

Watch this video to learn how to submit your change of major petition

 

Remember: Your hold will block registration after the effective date. 

Get started now to make a plan to declare your major.  Meet with advisors in advance so that you can officially declare prior to completing 90 units. It can take 1-2 weeks to have a change of major petition approved and the hold removed.

We Advise, You Decide

Advising is a partnership. Your advising team is dedicated to your academic success and to support you in achieving your personal, academic and future goals. But ultimately, your success requires you to be an active participant in the advising process.

To get the most out of advising, be ready to engage in a conversation and come prepared with questions. Remember, this is your education and it's your responsibility to take ownership of it.