Undeclared and Undecided Advising

Why Undecided?

Choosing the temporary major of Undecided allows students to explore which major best fits their interests.

There are multiple reasons why a student could be undecided, but the most frequent answer is that they are seeking further information to make an informed decision.

If you have varied interests in engineering and computing but are unsure which you excel at or enjoy working with the most, consider choosing Undecided Engineering and Computing.

Undecided Engineering and Computing students may need more time to:

• Assess their own goals, interests, and abilities
• Become aware of majors offered
• Evaluate majors offered
• Explore the job market

When do Undecided students declare a major?

Undecided students must declare a major within five fall/spring semesters or by the time they earn 60 credits, which ever comes first. However, it is ideal if they have declared a major by the end of their second semester since that is when the majors start to diverge and have less common courses.

Why Undeclared?

Students are placed in the temporary major of CEC-Undeclared when they applied to a CEC major but did not meet the selective admission requirements of the major. Students also change to CEC-Undeclared while they are working towards meeting the criteria to declare a major different from their current major.

When do Undeclared students declare a major?

Undeclared students must declare a major within five fall/spring semesters or by the time they earn 60 credits, which ever comes first. However, it is ideal if they have declared a major by the end of their third semester since upper level (300-400 level) major courses are restricted to declared majors.

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) wants to make sure students understand the various majors before making a change of major within CEC. Students should understand what a particular major involves, what skills are required to be successful in the major, and what graduates can do with the major.

To learn a more about the major you are interested in follow the steps below. 

1. Review the courses required for the major by viewing the major’s Academic Plan document (Links on CEC Advising website). 

2. Be aware that engineering, computer science, and statistics subjects have significant math requirements. Consider your level of math interest when choosing a major. 

3. Review documents that provide more details about various CEC majors.  

• Descriptions of Engineering and Computing Majors
• Difference between majors in Cyber Security Field for Transfer Students _{(students admitted as transfer)}
• Difference between majors in Cyber Security Field for Freshmen Students _{(students admitted as freshmen)}
• Difference between majors in Computing Field for Transfer Students _{(students admitted as transfer)}
• Difference between majors in Computing Field for Freshmen Students _{(students admitted as freshmen)}

4. Explore CEC major career information. 

• Technology Industry-Specific Resources 
• Engineering Industry-Specific Resources 
• Data Science Industry-Specific Resources 

5. CEC offers the following Bachelor of Science programs:

• Applied Computer Science
• Bioengineering
• Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Cyber Security Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Information Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Statistics
• Systems and Industrial Engineering

Additional Resources

Career Services – Choosing a Major or Career

How to Explore Majors

Majors in the College of Engineering and Computing are selective admission majors. Therefore, students must meet certain criteria to be in a particular major. Students not admitted to a declared CEC major or students wanting to change from any other major (including other CEC majors) to a CEC major must meet the criteria established to declare that major. Find out more information regarding the criteria and declaration process.

The criteria to declare always involves completing a specific course or a set of courses and a specific GPA. Thus, students should utilize all university resources to ensure high academic performance to meet the criteria - resources such as Learning Services and Tutoring. Refer to 'Major Exploration' section to learn about the specific CEC major options.

Timely Declaration of a major

CEC-Undeclared and Undecided students must become eligible to declare a CEC major within FIVE (5) fall/spring semesters, regardless of enrollment status (full-time, part-time) or by the time 60 overall credits (includes transfer credit) have been earned per university policy AP.5.3.1 Declaration of Major, which ever comes first. Not being eligible to declare within five (5) fall/spring semesters will result in termination from CEC. University policy states that students with 60 or more credits in an Undeclared or Undecided major will have a hold on their registration for future semesters until they declare a degree-granting major. Students are responsible for confirming they meet the criteria to declare their intended major.

The Undeclared and Undecided Academic Advisors in the College of Engineering and Computing advise Undeclared and Undecided Engineering and Computing students, as well as any student wanting to change their major into or within CEC.

Academic Advisors assist students with making decisions in addition to developing academic and career goals. Advisors also provide resources, answer questions, and help students interpret policies.

Preparing for an Advising Appointment

Students should prepare, in advance, for their advising appointment. The student-advisor relationship is collaborative. Therefore, advisors will not simply tell students what to do without students having researched on their own first. Follow the steps below before an appointment.

1. Review the criteria to declare CEC majors
2. Review the academic plan of the major of interest to know what courses are required 
3. If needed, take the math placement test
4. Check course prerequisites by searching courses in the catalog
5. Check Degree Works for degree and Mason Core progress
6. View the schedule of classes
7. For course registration advising check your registration time ticket on Patriot Web. Make sure all holds are resolved prior to the registration date/time. 

Academic Advisors

Alison Bartnek

Alison Bartnek has been advising students for several years, working in elementary schools, high schools, and higher education before beginning as the CEC Undeclared/Undecided advisor at George Mason in January 2018. She earned a M.A. in School Counseling from Marymount University, and a B.A. in Psychology from James Madison University.

Nora Gerrity

Nora Gerrity (she/her) joined the CEC Undeclared/Undecided team in April 2022. She has a BA in Psychology, and she earned her Masters from Mason in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her favorite part of her job is helping students make a game plan to meet their goals. Her personal and professional mantra is "Strive for progress, not perfection."

Jess Ostrowski-Wright

Jessica Ostrowski-Wright (she/her) joined the CEC Undeclared/Undecided Advising Team in Spring 2022. She studied Psychology at James Madison University before coming to Mason to complete an M.A. in Global Affairs and a Graduate Certificate in Women & Gender Studies. She enjoys working with our new and returning students to help them make the most of their Mason experience!

*DaFran Ware

DaFran Ware (she/her) has been advising students for over 15 years in engineering majors at three universities. She earned a M.A. in Higher Education and B.A. in Psychology both, from George Mason University. _{*DaFran is only available a month prior to and during course registration times each semester.} 

Schedule an Advising Appointment

1. Click here: https://gmu.campus.eab.com
2. Login with your NET I.D. and password
3. Click the Get Assistance button.  
4. Choose Academic Advising as your appointment type.
5. Select College of Engineering and Computing Undeclared (or Undecided) Advising as your Service
   • If your major in Navigate is not CEC Undeclared or Undecided you must select “Advising Outside of your Major”  
6. Pick a Date to see the list of available times of available Advisors.
7. Select a time that works with your schedule.*
8. Type in the comment section what you want to discuss.
9. Select Email and Text Message Reminder
10. Click Schedule to finalize your appointment.

^{*If there are no appointments available that means they are all booked. Return to the scheduling website in a few days or the next week as advisors only open appointments on a weekly basis. Otherwise email your questions. Be sure to include your name, Gnumber, and the major you are pursuing in your email to cecunde@gmu.edu.}

Drop-ins are for quick conversations regarding summer/fall 2025 course registration for currently enrolled students ONLY. _{Fall 2025 admitted students will be advised after spring 2025 concludes and during New Student Orientation.}

April 2 - May 1, 2025

Wednesdays - 9:30 - 11:30am

Thursdays - 1:30 - 3:30pm

Location: Nguyen Bldg. Room 2500 & Virtual on Zoom (See Navigate for Advisors specific locations at specific times https://gmu.campus.eab.com).

Drop-in virtual and/or in-person advising* is only offered at specific times of the semester. At all other times advising is by appointment only.

_{*Drop-in means no appointment is needed. Students that come to drop-ins are seen in the order they arrive. Wait times can be long. Plan accordingly.}

Click the links to access various documents used during academic advising.

Orientation Documents

Transfer Student Orientation Presentation

Things to Remember from Transfer Student Orientation

Freshmen Student Orientation Presentation

Things to Remember from Freshmen Orientation

Course Registration/Planning Documents

Academic/Course Planning Sheet

_{Use in conjunction with Academic Advisor and academic plan document for specific CEC major of interest.}

First-Semester Planner for Freshmen

_{Document explains which courses to register for first semester.}

Approved ENGH 302 Sections

_{ENGH 302 sections are sorted by major. CEC students must take a ENGH 302 approved by the CEC major they are pursuing.}

Exploring CEC Majors

How to Explore Majors

Descriptions of Engineering and Computing Majors

Difference between majors in Cyber Security Field for Transfer Students _{(students admitted as transfer)}

Difference between majors in Cyber Security Field for Freshmen Students _{(students admitted as freshmen)}

Difference between majors in Computing Field for Transfer Students _{(students admitted as transfer)}

Difference between majors in Computing Field for Freshmen Students _{(students admitted as freshmen)}