How do I apply?
During the second half of your sophomore year or during your junior year, identify potential faculty advisor(s) in relevant disciplines and develop a proposal with their guidance. Together, determine the name of the major, the learning objectives, previous coursework that meets some of your objectives, additional courses that you will take to meet the remaining objectives, and any experiential learning opportunities (study away, internships) that will be applicable. Consult with department chairs to confirm that your intended courses will be offered when you need them.
All students seeking an Individualized Major in Interdisciplinary Studies will submit a proposal via email to the program director (the Dean of the College of Liberal Studies). Proposals must include the following elements:
- Personal Information:
- Your name
- Student ID
- Proposed name of your individualized major
- Current major(s) and/or minor(s), including which ones you will retain and which major (if any) will be replaced by the individualized major
- Intended graduation date
- Statement of Objectives (no more than 350 words)
Describe the major’s learning objectives and why an individualized course of study is more appropriate than a standard disciplinary degree program. Make sure to offer a rationale for this major. You are encouraged to discuss vocational or career aspirations and how this course of study contributes to meeting those goals. You should develop this statement in conversation with your faculty advisor(s).
- A Program of Study (no more than 450 words)
Describe how the major’s learning objectives will be met through coursework, independent study, study away, internships, and/or other means. This description must include specific course prefixes, numbers, and titles. Make sure to connect each learning objective directly to one or more of your courses or experiential learning opportunities (study away, internship, etc.) and explain how it will be met through that course or opportunity.
The program of study must include the following elements:
- At least 36 semester hours;
- At least 12 semester hours of upper-division courses, not including a capstone;
- At least eight semester hours each from at least two different disciplines;
- A capstone course or other summative experience, such as an internship, although this requirement is optional if you have already completed a capstone in another major; and
- No more than eight semester hours that also fulfill requirements for another major or minor (that “double dip”).
- A Schedule of Courses
Prepare a schedule of courses that includes the term and year that you took or will take each course in your proposed major, including study away and internships (see the sample format below). Department chairs must be consulted about availability of future courses to ensure that they will be offered, and you must include confirmation of those offerings in your schedule.
Sample format:
| Course Prefix and # | Name of course | When you will take or have taken the course | If not yet taken, have you confirmed that the course will be offered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIST 337 | History of Mexico | J Term 2025 | Already taken |
| NAIS 250 | Intro to Native American and Indigenous Studies | Fall 2026 | Yes |
| ENGL 216 | Topics in Literature: Native American Lit | Spring 2027 | No |
| HGST 201 | Intro to HGST | Fall 2027 | No |
- Context and Background (no more than 350 words)
Provide any additional context for this individualized major that might clarify your reasons for proposing it. This may include a discussion of previous academic work, life experiences, professional work experience, or other information relevant to this choice of major. - Name of Preferred Faculty Advisor(s)
Identify one faculty member who has agreed to serve as your primary advisor. You should also identify one or two additional faculty members who have agreed to serve as secondary advisors. Make sure to consult with the program director prior to drafting your proposal if you would like guidance in identifying possible advisors.
Upon receipt of the proposal, the program director will invite your faculty advisors to complete a Faculty Recommendation Form, in which they assess your ability to meet the major’s learning goals and confirm their willingness to support you as a primary or secondary advisor. You will be notified if the proposal has been approved or if further revisions are necessary, usually within two weeks of submission.
After approval of your proposal, the Office of the Registrar will create the major and make a CAPP report available to you. You should meet with your faculty advisor(s) at least once each semester during your course of study, especially during advising weeks. All subsequent changes to the program of study must be submitted in writing and approved by the committee of faculty members and the program director. Any change to the senior thesis/capstone plan must also be approved by the Dean of Assessment and Core Curriculum.
Completion of the Individualized Major in Interdisciplinary Studies and completion of all other university requirements leads to the conferral of the B.A. degree.