Students, their parents, faculty, and other advisors have asked the following questions about the Individualized Major:
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1. What is an individualized major?
An individualized major is a self-designed, interdisciplinary major. It offers you the opportunity to tailor a program of study to fit your particular set of interests. If you have found that the issues and questions that interest you most are not adequately addressed by a single disciplinary approach and if you find yourself wanting to combine courses from a variety of departments that share a common theme, then the individualized major may be for you.
The individualized major is a structured plan of study, incorporating at least 36 credits of courses at the 2000-level or higher, which is thematically focused and drawn from at least two departments (typically three or four) in the University. This plan of study will often include an internship, fieldwork, or service learning and may, where appropriate, involve a period of study abroad.
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2. Who will help me develop my plan of study?
Staff and peer advisors in the Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program as well as faculty advisors will help you develop your plan of study. Most students begin by preparing a statement of purpose and plan of study in consultation with peer advisors and the academic advisor in IISP. The peer advisors and IISP staff then help the student identify three faculty members from departments relevant to the student's major who can further assist him/her with developing the major and selecting appropriate classes. [Return to top ...]
3. Can I include an internship in my major?
The Individualized Major Program strongly encourages all students to include an internship or field experience in their plan of study. An internship or field experience is an invaluable opportunity. It offers you insight into a particular career path. It gives you practical work experience. It provides an opportunity to network with other people who share your interests. The knowledge, skills, and connections that you acquire will be a key asset as you seek employment or apply to graduate or professional schools. Identifying an appropriate internship is time consuming! You will need to begin the process 9-12 months in advance. A good place to start is the Department of Career Services, located in CUE 217. A section of its website is focused exclusively on internships (www.internships.uconn.edu). It also has an Internship Guidebook available in print in the Career Services office and online at www.career.uconn.edu. [Return to top ...]
4. Can I incorporate study abroad courses in my major?
Study abroad is an important part of many individualized majors' plan of study. Study abroad can help you build academic and personal strength, and test your mettle in a new environment. If the core of a university education is to help you build new knowledge, acquire new skills, and see the world from new and varied perspectives, then study abroad is an incomparable part of university education. Identifying a program where you can pursue your interests may take some time. So plan ahead! Begin doing research on different programs at least 12-18 months before you plan to go. The Study Abroad office is located in CUE 303 and online at www.studyabroad.uconn.edu. [Return to top ...]
5. How do I officially declare an individualized major?
The Individualized Major Program requires students to apply to become individualized majors. Students prepare a formal proposal consisting of:
- a 2-3 pp. statement of purpose;
- a plan of study endorsed by three faculty members; and
- an unofficial transcript.
Other documentation may be necessary for students who plan a double major or additional degree. Admissions decisions are made by the Individualized Major Committee, which is comprised of faculty from the two colleges (CLAS and CANR) that grant degrees to Individualized Majors. The Individualized Major Committee meets several times during the Fall and Spring semesters. [Return to top ...]
6. When can I apply to the Individualized Major Program?
Students may submit proposals if they are either in their third semester or if they have completed 30 credits toward graduation. Normally a student will apply to become an individualized major in his/her sophomore or junior year. At the time of application, a student should have at least two semesters of undergraduate study left in which they can register for courses in their major. [Return to top ...]
7. How many advisors will I have?
Four. A primary advisor in your college, two associate faculty advisors, and the Individualized Major Director. [Return to top ...]
8. Can I double major with an individualized major?
Yes. A student can earn a double major with an individualized major and a traditional major within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). A double major worksheet is available to assist your planning. Students who wish to double-major in two different colleges must opt for an additional degree. [Return to top ...]
9. Can I include courses from other UConn schools or colleges? How many credits of my individualized major must be from the College in which I will be enrolled?
Yes, you can include courses from other schools or colleges such as the School of Business, the School of Fine Arts , and the Neag School of Education. Some schools or colleges may impose some restrictions. A minimum of 18 credits of the 36 2000-level or higher credits in your individualized major must be courses of the College (CLAS or CANR) in which you are enrolled. [Return to top ...]
10. Do I have to fulfill general education and college graduation requirements?
Yes, for the college in which you will be enrolled. [Return to top ...]
11. Can I earn a B.S. in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as an individualized major?
Yes. You must complete the B.S. general education requirements and have 24 credits of science courses in your plan of study. These science courses must be from CLAS departments that offer B.S. degrees. [Return to top ...]
12. If my primary major is in a science field (say Molecular and Cell Biology) and I also have an IMJR, (say Health and Social Policy in North America ) do I have to have a minimum of 24 credits in science for the IMJR?
No. You only have to fulfill the science requirements of your primary major in this case the BS (MCB) requirements, but you must still complete your IMJR's plan of study of 36 credits. Your diploma would read: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cell Biology, Health and Social Policy in North America. [Return to top ...]
13. Will it take me longer to graduate with an individualized major?
No. An individualized major requires the same number of 2000-level or higher credits as a traditional major and related area (36 credits). (But remember: You do need to apply to the program in your sophomore or fairly early in your junior year if you want a reasonable certainty that you can complete your plan of study by the end of your fourth year.) [Return to top ...]
14. What will my diploma say?
It will say that you earned a B.A. or B.S. from the College in which you are enrolled and the title of your major will be listed. This is also true of your transcript. [Return to top ...]
15. What can I do with an individualized major?
Many things! Employers and graduate schools look for particular skills and qualities. They are especially interested in strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to think critically. They want people who are able to process new information, to take initiative, and to interact effectively with others. These are all skills that you will develop as an individualized major. Graduates of the program have noted that employers and graduate schools have been impressed with the fact that they designed their own major. In a recent survey of IMJR Program graduates, one person noted, "The IMJR program is a great talking point in job interviews. Many employers like to see candidates take a more active role in their undergraduate studies." Another stated similarly, "I've found that people foremost are genuinely interested in how an Individualized Major program works. People ask a lot of questions and like the varied coursework on my transcript. The major shows one's ambition, curiosity, and creativity and employers like that." [Return to top ...]
16. What is the difference between a Bachelor of General Studies Degree and an individualized major?
The Bachelor of General Studies Degree is offered by the Center for Continuing Studies. The Center for Continuing Studies offers educational programs for working adults. The BGS degree is open to individuals who already have two years of college experience (60 credits or an Associate's degree). BGS students choose from a range of established themes or design their own theme of study in consultation with their BGS advisor. Each theme consists of at least 18 credits at the 2000-level or higher. For further details see http://continuingstudies.uconn.edu/bgs/academicprograms.html .
The Individualized Major Program is different from the BGS in several ways. It is a more comprehensive plan of study consisting of 36 credits at the 2000-level or higher. It is open to students seeking Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees from the College of Liberal Arts and Science or the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Students can apply to the Individualized Major program as early as the beginning of their third semester of undergraduate work or after completing 30 credits. Students seeking an individualized major must prepare an application proposal, including a statement of purpose and a plan of study endorsed by three faculty members. This proposal is evaluated by the Individualized Major Committee comprised of faculty members from the two Colleges granting an individualized major. [Return to top ...]
Frequently Asked Questions About the Individualized Major