Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a sample of some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. If your question still isn't answered, please feel free to contact us.

Q1: The Diversity Minor sounds like a great program! How do I learn more and/or sign up?

Come in and talk to us! We'd love to learn more about you, tell you about the program, answer your questions, and get you signed up. You must have at least 90 credit hours to officially declare the minor, but it never hurts to get started early.

Q2: When are office hours for advising?

Because we are graduate students, our hours change quarter-to-quarter depending on our classes. Here are the drop-in hours for Winter 2010 (Jan. 4 - Mar. 12, 2010):

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00-1:00
• Tuesday: 2:00-3:00

If those times don't work for you, though, we are always happy to set up an appointment! Please e-mail us at divminor@uw.edu to set something up. Padelford B-507 is where you can find us.

Q3: There is a course that I believe should count for the Diversity Minor. What steps do I take to make it count?

Students oftentimes ask whether past, present, and future courses can count for the minor. If there's a class that you believe might be a good fit, we would love to hear more about it! If at all possible, a syllabus (hard or electronic copy) is ideal, because we can get an idea of what work is done and what books are read on a weekly basis. If you can't get a syllabus, please at least provide a description of the course from UW's Course Catalog. The more information you can provide us, the better! In the past, a syllabus has made all the difference, so try to contact the course instructor if you've long lost your old copy. In addition, let us know which category (Arts/Cultural, Historical, Contemporary/Institutional, or Global) you think it should be under. Here is where you can find information about the criteria of each category.

Please know that it takes some time to approve courses for the minor, so plan well ahead!

Q4: Can transfer courses count for the minor as well?

Yes! 15 of the 25 required credit hours for the minor must be completed here at UW, so that means 10 credit hours (usually 2 courses) may be transferred in from another institution. It must be approved as UW credit. If you have a course or two that you'd like for us to consider for the minor, we do require a copy of the syllabus (hard or electronic copy). If you no longer have your old syllabus, please try to contact your previous course instructor or department for a copy. Also, please let us know which category (Arts/Cultural, Historical, Contemporary/Institutional, Global, or Applications) you think it might fall under. Here is where you can find information about the criteria of each category.

Q5: My DARS report for the Diversity Minor is confusing. How can I make sure that I'm on track?

Send us an e-mail anytime at divminor@uw.edu. We can either set up an appointment to go over your progress within the minor together, or we can e-mail you the requirements that you've met so far and what you still have left to complete.

Q6: Do I need to submit graduation paperwork for the minor? When do I do that?

Before you graduate, a Graduation DARS report will need to be submitted by one of us advisers. You don't need to sign it, but please contact us to let us know that you've completed all of the requirements and are ready to have your paperwork sent in. This can be done at any point during your last year, so just keep us posted.

Q7: How many classes can overlap between my major and the Diversity Minor?

With the Diversity Minor, you can take a maximum of 10 credit hours (usually 2 courses) within any one department, including your major department. So, for example, if you are an American Ethnic Studies major, you can only count two AES classes for the Diversity Minor, even though it might look as if you've completed all of the requirements for the minor with the AES classes on your DARS report. Aside from those two, you'll have to collect another 15 credits from other departments.

Q8: I tried to sign up for a class, but it's only open to students within the major right now! I was counting on that class. What should I do now?

You can try to contact the professor to see if s/he will give you an Add Code for the course, but unfortunately there are no guarantees. Feel free to let them know that you are a Diversity Minor student and that the course would help you complete the minor. If the course is crosslisted with a course in another department, check to see if you can sign up in through the other class instead. To prevent something like this from happening, try your best to plan ahead. You don't have to wait until the registration period begins to ask professors for Add Codes, and since there are usually waitlists, you'll want to jump on the list early. Remember to always come up with a backup plan just in case!