Nov 01, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

Self-Designed Interdisciplinary Major

Location(s): On Campus


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In addition to the standard disciplinary majors, Wesleyan allows interested students to design their own interdisciplinary major. An interdisciplinary major should be planned by a student in consultation with a faculty advisor and representatives of each of the major and minor programs involved. The major should interrelate at least two (2) fields of learning, yet have a central and cohesive theme. It is reserved for students who have a strong interest in interdisciplinary studies and who have demonstrated both initiative and academic excellence. The interdisciplinary nature of the major will be indicated on the student’s transcript.

Guidelines for Proposing a Self-Designed Interdisciplinary Major:

  1. The self-designed interdisciplinary major must include at least 39 semester hours, beyond the general education requirements.
  2. If the major and minor programs involved have courses in methodology, these must also be included in the major.
  3. A minimum of 21 of the 39 hours should be at or above the 300-level, exclusive of the senior project, honors thesis, or internship. These 21 hours should include at least three courses from each of the major and minor programs involved.
  4. The interdisciplinary proposal should define the exact nature and objectives of the major and explain why it is a more appropriate alternative for the student than existing majors.
  5. Proposals may be submitted after a student’s first semester at Wesleyan College.
  6. Proposals must be submitted before a student has earned 90 credit hours.
  7. At the time the proposal is submitted, the student must have a Wesleyan College grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher.

Procedures for Submission and Review of the Proposed Interdisciplinary Major:

  1. The interested student must choose an advisor from one of the disciplines involved.
  2. Proposals must be coordinated with and approved by all departments involved in the plan of study before submission for final approval by the Curriculum Committee.
  3. The student, with the help of the faculty advisor, will prepare a proposal for the interdisciplinary major. The form for the proposal can be found on Wesportal, Wesnet, Registrar’s Office - Student, Forms. The proposal must detail the rationale for the interdisciplinary major, its learning goals, and intended coursework.
  4. Interdisciplinary major proposal forms must be submitted for approval to the Curriculum Committee.
  5. The Curriculum Committee will review proposals and make recommendations as to the validity and viability of each proposal. Changes requested by the Committee to the proposed plan of study must be made by the student within two weeks of the initial review. At its next regularly scheduled meeting, the Curriculum Committee will review the final proposal and make a decision regarding its acceptance.
  6. Any unforeseen or necessary changes in the proposal can be approved by the faculty advisor, in consultation with the Curriculum Committee.

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