Individualized Major

The Individualized Major is an interdisciplinary program resulting in a B.A. from the College of Arts & Sciences. This program facilitates the creation of student-designed interdisciplinary majors whose primary emphasis is in the liberal arts. It allows students with interests that cross traditional departmental and disciplinary boundaries to combine those interests in coherent and meaningful ways, building upon—and using in new ways—the resources available in the College, and bringing in expertise from the professional schools as needed.

Students develop majors in consultation with faculty sponsors and propose them to a committee responsible for ensuring that individualized majors are distinct from fields of study available in existing degrees and majors and that they conform to College and university standards of breadth, depth, and rigor. Approved majors normally combine courses from two or more College departments, and, as needed, from the professional schools, with independent and self-directed work. In addition to granting admission to the program, the committee works with students' faculty sponsors to monitor student progress, evaluate theses or projects, and administer final oral reviews.

First-semester freshmen interested in pursuing an Individualized Major are encouraged to take introductory courses in subjects relevant to their interests as a way of exploring disciplines in their individualized majors, satisfying pre-requisites for more advanced courses, and becoming acquainted with potential faculty sponsors.

Learn more about the program’s application process or contact imp@iu.edu to discuss your ideas.