Individually Designed Major Requirements - COLS (BA/BS)

Option I with a Minor

Major - 33 units

  1. Select 33 units in consultation with individually designed major committee. The major may include no more that 21 units in any one department and must include at least 17 units numbered 300 or above. 
  2. An applied or integrative learning experience should be included in the program (e.g., an internship, undergraduate research, senior thesis, or study abroad).

An approved minor is required for this major.

Writing Proficiency Requirement: ENGLISH 370, ENGLISH 371, ENGLISH 372 or other approved writing intensive course.  

Unique requirements: Submission of an ePortfolio and completion of exit interview.

Option II without a Minor

Major - 54 units

  1. Select 54 units in consultation with individualized major committee. The major may include no more than 24 units in any one department and must include at least 27 units in courses numbered 300 or above.
  2. An applied or integrative learning experience should be included in the program (e.g., an internship, undergraduate research, senior thesis, or study abroad).

No minor is required.

Writing Proficiency Requirement: ENGLISH 370, ENGLISH 371, ENGLISH 372 or other approved writing intensive course.  

Unique requirements: Submission of an ePortfolio and completion of exit interview.

Approval Process

In either Option I or II of the Individually Designed Major you will choose as an advisor a faculty member whose competence is in the area of your interest. Together with the advisor you will plan the major and submit a detailed outline of the major and a statement of its rationale and goals to the College Committee on Individually Designed Majors for its approval. The proposed major must be approved, with the possibility of subsequent amendment, no later than the beginning of your junior year. Your program of study must be planned and approved in advance of admission to the major. Any changes in your major at a later date will require written permission of the Committee.

Under either Option I or II, you may count at most 40 units from any one department for fulfillment of total degree requirements. It is a requirement that over half the units in either option must be in courses numbered 300 or above. At least 50 percent of the units counting toward your major requirements must be earned subsequent to your admission to the major. You may take work outside the College of Letters and Sciences but more than one-half the units in your major must be earned in the College. Primary supervision of the major rests with the Committee on Individually Designed Majors. Inquiries should be directed to Assistant Dean, College of Letters and Sciences, who Chairs the Committee on Individually Designed Majors.