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Individual Major

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Individual Major must be interdisciplinary – that is, it must be a cohesive program of study incorporating courses from several academic programs.  It also must conform to all of the University’s requirements for graduation and be approved by:

• The Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• At least one faculty advisor selected by the student
• The Individualized Learning Committee

Seven steps to developing an Individual Major:
1)  Identify your interests and research your career objectives and educational needs

• Discuss your career plans with others (faculty, family, professional contacts).
• Use the Internet and other resources to find additional information.

2)  Discuss your plans with potential faculty advisors and then with the Associate Dean of Liberal Arts    
            and Sciences

• Contact a member of the faculty who is knowledgeable in the area of your         Individual Major. The faculty member also should be willing to guide your studies and to recommend approval of your program.
• After choosing your faculty advisor, discuss your plans with the Associate Dean. Students should bring the proposal to the Associate Dean at the beginning of their junior year to ensure timely graduation.

3)  Prepare your Individual Major proposal

• Work with your faculty advisor to prepare a proposal three to five pages typed, double-spaced. The proposal should describe and explain why and/or how an Individual Major will allow you to achieve your objectives.

4)  Proposals should include the following:

• Title (which will appear on your transcript)
• Personal background: Relevant experience and interests
• Career goals
• Explanation of why you want an Individual Major
• Description of how the courses represent a cohesive program of study
• Timetable for completion
• Post-graduate plans

5)  List all courses you propose to complete for your Individual Major

• Divide your list into lower-level and upper-level courses. In creating the list, you should consult not only with your faculty advisor, but also with faculty teaching in programs in which you will be taking courses.
• List the course number, credits and title, and anticipated completion date as shown in the example below.           

           
            Your list must contain at least 30 upper-level credits organized around an interdisciplinary theme. Keep in mind the Individual Major is an interdisciplinary program; your courses must come from at least two different academic areas/fields of study.

5)  Get a letter of support from your faculty advisor

• If the draft proposal and the list of courses are acceptable to the faculty advisor(s), request a letter of support from the advisor(s) to include with the proposal. Letters should indicate that the faculty advisor is confident that you will be able to manage the major and that he or she is willing to serve as an advisor.

6)  Discuss your proposal with the Associate Dean

• The Associate Dean will review your proposed program of study to assure it is clearly written, fulfills all University requirements, reflects the University emphasis on interdisciplinary study, and can be completed in a timely manner.

7)  Submit your final proposal to the Associate Dean and schedule a meeting with the Individualized       Learning Committee
            The completed proposal should contain:

• Your narrative
• The list of courses and timeline for completing the Individual Major
• An unofficial copy of your transcript
• A letter or letters from the faculty member(s) who will be your advisor(s)

            The Associate Dean will review the revised proposal one more time to assure that your program still conforms to all the University requirements, and will then forward your proposal to the Individualized Learning Committee for final review.

            The Individualized Learning Committee will review your proposal and will:

• Approve the proposal
• Request revision and resubmission of the proposal
• Deny the proposal

            If possible, you should attend the meeting of the Committee to explain your proposal and answer questions.  The Associate Dean will notify you of the Committee’s decision.

            Examples of completed Individual Major Programs include: 

• Theatre Administration
• Political Economy
• Women’s Health Issues
• Mathematical Physics
• Music and Society
• Environmental Health Management
• Narrative Psychology

For more information contact:
Donna Ritch, Associate Dean
Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
2420 Nicolet Drive
Theatre Hall 335
Green Bay WI 54311-7001
920-465-2274
Email:  ritchd@uwgb.edu