POSM: Program of Study Management

What is Program of Study Management (POSM)?

The Program of Study Management (POSM) system is an electronic workflow that allows undergraduate students to manage their degree program(s) online. POSM is accessed in MyPortal on the Student Profile.  Students can use this system to:

  • Declare or Add a Major
  • Declare or Add a Minor
  • Undeclare a Major
  • Undeclare a Minor
  • Change, Add or Remove a Cognate, Concentration or Track
  • Change Degree (BA, BS, AB)
  • Update Major, Minor, or Certificate Catalog Year
  • Declare or Add Undergraduate Certificate
  • Undeclare Undergraduate Certificate

All changes to a student's degree program must be approved by the academic department or program. Submission of a POSM request does not change a student's degree program instantaneously. It is the first step of the approval process by the academic department or program. Once a student completes a POSM request form and clicks submit, the information is electronically delivered to the appropriate approval personnel within the requested program/department.  The department/program will notify the student if additional information/action is needed to complete the POSM request.  Some departments/programs have specific requirements (i.e. a face-to-face meeting, a writing sample, an audition, etc.) for their major applicants.

Notifications will be sent to the student's college-issued e-mail account regarding the status of a request. Students will receive a confirmation e-mail when the process is complete.  Once a student has received a confirmation e-mail regarding their POSM request, the program of study change will appear in their degree audit.

Note:  Not all offered majors, minors, and concentrations can be combined due to academic policy.  Please consult with the specific Department regarding any policies prohibiting certain combinations. 

Why Should I Declare?

Declaring your major is instrumental to your academic success at the College of Charleston. This will help you plan the most efficient and beneficial path to your degree. Currently enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate students must declare a major no later than the second semester of their sophomore year (45-60 credit hours). The deadline to declare a major for each semester is posted on the Academic Advising and Planning Center website. Students can submit their major declaration requests online through the Program of Study Management (POSM) tile located on the Student Profile in MyPortal. Students who do not meet the deadline will have a “Missing Major Declaration” registration hold will be placed on their account.  In order to release this hold, the student must either declare a major in the Program of Study Management (POSM) system or meet with their academic advisor.

For More Information on POSM

POSM Frequently Asked Questions from Students (PDF)

Help resources (Procedure Manual and Quick Guides) for the Program of Study Management (POSM) system are located in the Student Resources on the Office of the Registrar's Hub

You can also e-mail us at posm@cofc.edu.