Environmental factors (faculty integration and student integration) and self-determination theory factors (perceived autonomy, perceived competence, and perceived relatedness) were used to predict academic major satisfaction. It was hypothesized that environmental factors and self-determination factors would directly predict major satisfaction. In line with this, it was predicted that a path model which included environmental factors would prove to be a better fit than a model that did not. It was also predicted that environmental factors would directly predict self-determination factors, and that self-determination factors would mediate the relation between environmental factors and major satisfaction. Path analysis was used to test the hypotheses. In a sample of 332 college students, it was found that environmental factors did not directly predict major satisfaction, and a path model which included environmental factors was not a better fit. Environmental factors did indirectly predict major satisfaction, with self-determination factors as a mediator. Self-determination factors were directly predicted by environmental factors, and did directly predict major satisfaction. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Keywords: academic major satisfaction, perceived autonomy, perceived competence, perceived relatedness, perceived autonomy, faculty integration, student integration