This information is intended for current undergraduate students in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP), as well as students interested in changing their major into COSSPP beginning Fall 2026.
Beginning Fall 2026, several COSSPP undergraduate programs have important curriculum and program updates. These include three new undergraduate majors, updated major requirements for students entering certain programs beginning Fall 2026, changes to approved coursework, and course-prefix changes that may affect multiple majors.
It is important to understand that not every Fall 2026 change applies to every student in the same way. Some major requirements are based on when a student entered or changed into the major, while other curriculum changes apply to all students regardless of when they entered the program.
Students should review the information below carefully and meet with a COSSPP academic advisor if they have questions about how these changes apply to their individual academic record.
New COSSPP Majors Beginning Fall 2026
Beginning Fall 2026, students are eligible to explore changing into three new undergraduate majors offered through COSSPP:
Students interested in one of these programs should meet with a COSSPP academic advisor to review the major requirements and discuss how previously completed coursework may apply toward the degree.
Important Information for F-1 International Students
FSU is not currently authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the bachelor’s degree programs in Emergency Management, Intelligence Studies, or Civics and Liberty Studies.
International students who require an F-1 visa should not apply to or change into these majors at this time.
Certificate Eligibility for Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies Majors
Students majoring in Emergency Management or U.S. Intelligence Studies should also be aware of restrictions regarding related undergraduate certificates.
Students in either of these majors:
- Are not eligible to also pursue the Undergraduate Certificate in Emergency Management (EM).
- Are not eligible to also pursue the Undergraduate Certificate in U.S. Intelligence Studies (USIS).
- May still pursue the Undergraduate Certificate in Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
Updates to Existing COSSPP Majors
Economics
Course Eligibility: Applies to All Economics Majors and Minors
Students should be aware of important updates regarding which Economics courses may be applied toward the Economics major and Economics minor.
The following requirements apply to all Economics students, regardless of when they declared the major or minor:
- ECO 2000 does not count toward Economics major electives or elsewhere within the Economics major.
- ECO 3042, when taken Summer 2023 or later, does not count toward Economics major electives or elsewhere within the Economics major.
- ECO 3041, when taken Fall 2026 or later, does not count toward Economics major electives or elsewhere within the Economics major.
- These same restrictions apply to students completing the Economics minor. ECO 2000 and ECO 3042 cannot be applied toward the minor, and ECO 3041 taken Fall 2026 or later cannot be applied toward the minor.
- Exceptions will not be made to allow these courses to satisfy Economics major or minor requirements.
For ECO 3041, the semester in which the course was completed is important. Students who completed ECO 3041 prior to Fall 2026 may have the course applied based on the approved Economics coursework in effect when the course was taken.
Students enrolling in ECO 3041 beginning Fall 2026 should not plan for the course to satisfy any portion of the Economics major or minor.
Public Health
There are two important Fall 2026 updates for Public Health students. One applies to all Public Health majors, while the other applies specifically to students declaring the Public Health major beginning Fall 2026.
Public Health Major Electives: Applies to All Students
Beginning Summer 2026, all Public Health majors should use the current approved Public Health elective list published on the Public Health website when selecting future coursework to satisfy Public Health major elective requirements.
Approved elective options may change as curriculum and course offerings are updated. Students should therefore review the current approved list when registering for future coursework rather than relying on an elective list from a previous semester.
This does not affect previously completed coursework. Courses completed prior to Fall 2026 that were approved to satisfy a Public Health major elective requirement at the time they were taken will continue to apply toward the major as appropriate.
View Public Health Degree Requirements and Approved Electives
Students Declaring Public Health Beginning Fall 2026
Students who declare the Public Health major beginning Fall 2026 will be held to the updated Fall 2026 major requirements.
Under these requirements, the Public Health major consists of 34 total credit hours, including the new:
PHC 4913 – Public Health Capstone (1 credit hour)
Students who were already declared as Public Health majors prior to Fall 2026 are not subject to the new 34-hour major or PHC 4913 requirement based solely on this curriculum change. However, as noted above, all students should use the current approved elective list when selecting future Public Health major electives.
Geography
New Major Requirements Beginning Fall 2026
The Geography major requirements have changed beginning Fall 2026. The requirements that apply to a student depend on when the student entered the Geography major.
Students who entered the Geography major prior to Fall 2026 should continue to reference the historical major requirements applicable to students who entered the program before Fall 2026.
Students who enter or change into the Geography major beginning Fall 2026 will follow the new Fall 2026 major requirements.
Both the historical requirements for students entering prior to Fall 2026 and the new requirements for students entering Fall 2026 forward are available on the Geography website:
View Geography Undergraduate Major Requirements
Because the requirements differ depending on when a student entered the major, students should carefully review the appropriate requirements and meet with a COSSPP academic advisor if they have questions about which requirements apply to their academic record.
Additional Fall 2026 Course Updates Affecting Multiple COSSPP Majors
PAD Courses Transitioning to the DSC Prefix
Beginning Fall 2026, students should also be aware that many undergraduate courses previously offered under the PAD prefix have transitioned to the DSC (Domestic Security) prefix.
These changes may be relevant to students across multiple COSSPP majors, including:
- Political Science
- International Affairs
- Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Students should be mindful of the new DSC prefix when searching for coursework and determining how courses may apply toward their remaining major requirements.
Students should not assume that a course is no longer available or applicable simply because they previously knew the course under a PAD prefix. Because the applicability of individual courses may depend on a student’s major and requirements, students should review the detailed information regarding these changes and consult with an academic advisor when needed.
Review Additional Information About the PAD to DSC Course Changes
How Do I Know Which Fall 2026 Requirements Apply to Me?
The most important distinction is when you entered or changed into your major and the type of curriculum change involved.
For programs with new Fall 2026 major requirements, students who were already in the major prior to Fall 2026 may continue under their applicable earlier major requirements, while students entering or changing into the major beginning Fall 2026 may be subject to the new requirements.
However, being under an earlier set of major requirements does not necessarily mean that every future course option remains unchanged. Departments may update approved electives, course prefixes, course offerings, or other curriculum options over time. For this reason, students should always review current departmental information when selecting future coursework.
Previously completed coursework will be reviewed based on the requirements and approved coursework applicable to the student as appropriate.
Have Questions About Your Major Requirements?
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a COSSPP academic advisor if they have questions about how any of these Fall 2026 changes apply to their individual academic record.
Click Here for Fall 2026 Drop/Add Advising Information
An academic advisor can help you identify which major requirements apply to you, review previously completed coursework, and determine how courses you are considering for future semesters may apply toward your degree.
When in doubt, verify how a course will apply toward your major before enrolling.