An academic minor is a declared secondary field of study or specialization during taken during undergraduate studies. Academic minors and majors differ in that the former is subordinate to the latter. Students can pursue a minor to provide specific specialization and thus make themselves more attractive to employers.  A minor usually consists of 6-8 courses. Some of the courses required for a minor may already be included in the student's major. For example, SOE Elementary Education students can obtain a minor in Reading by taking only 2 or 3 additional courses.