Applying to the Major

The title should express the central theme of the major you are proposing. For example, a program that focuses on literature from multiple cultural traditions might be called “World Literatures” or “Comparative Literature,” while a program that looks at environmental issues from a scientific and policy perspective might be called something like, “Environmental Studies” or “Green Studies.” For a better sense of the kinds of themes and titles you might think up and propose, see the liberal studies example themes.

If accepted to the program, you and your advisor may decide to revise the title at some point. The title does not appear on a diploma or transcript, but you may choose to reference it on a resume or in post-graduate applications, and faculty may refer to it in letters of recommendation.

You will need to describe the multi-disciplinary theme of your proposed program of study and explain both why it makes sense as a coherent academic program and why it makes sense for you, specifically. There are three things you must address:

1. Describe the central theme that ties together your proposed major. (200-300 words) Your response must offer an academically sound explanation of the central theme you are proposing.
2. Explain your course selection. (200-300 words) Why did you pick this particular minor as the foundation for your major? How do the additional courses or minor you selected fit together and add new perspectives to the larger theme?
3. What are your academic and professional goals? Why is this program the best option to help you achieve those goals? (100-200 words) Why is an individualized program a better option to help you accomplish those goals than any of the established majors? How would adding an multi-disciplinary perspective to your studies help you pursue future academic or professional opportunities?

You will use this form to list the specific courses that would make up your proposed major. Similar to the way that majors in, for example, Political Science or Earth and Environmental Sciences lay out all the courses required for their programs in the Undergraduate Catalog, you will outline the courses for your own proposed major. Be sure you have factored in all the requirements for the Major in Liberal Studies as well as the requirements for the minor that you chose as the foundation for your program.

If your proposed major program is accepted to Liberal Studies, the courses listed in the application are the only ones approved to complete your major. Any changes or substitutions for any reason (include seat/course availability) must be formally approved.

To simplify things, we encourage you to give yourself logical options and alternatives when choosing courses. For example, if your program is built around the Anthropology minor, which requires 3 courses (9 hours) of elective coursework in ANTH, you might propose 6 ANTH courses that are relevant to the theme of your major. If approved, any 3 of those 6 courses may potentially satisfy that requirement. Remember that the courses taken must satisfy all official requirements for the Major in Liberal Studies.

See the liberal studies example themes to get an an idea of what a multidisciplinary theme might look like. For requirements of specific minors and potential course options, see the Undergraduate Catalog. Pay attention to the listed course prerequisites and other restrictions; approval to use it in the Liberal Studies major assumes prior completion of the necessary prerequisites.

Keep in mind that your ability to enroll in any course will be subject to all standard prerequisites, restrictions, seat availability, etc. set by that department and/or college. Registration is not and cannot be guaranteed.

• Required for Application: Proposed Course List worksheet
• (Example 1)
• (Example 2)

The College will consider a current transcript or degree audit along with the materials you submit, but you are not responsible for providing it.