Individualized Major Program (Fall 2014)

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individualized major graduate
Carl D’Oleo-Lundgren ’14 (CLAS) created an individualized major in international relations. (Frank Dahlmeyer ’10 (CLAS)/UConn Photo)

The Individualized Major (IMJR) is a self-designed, interdisciplinary major that allows students to create a program of study that fits their own interests. First established in 1974, the program has graduated more than 1900 students. Currently the program graduates 55-60 students per year. Students have chosen a wide range of topics for their majors, some unique, others more popular. International studies, health studies, and law, rights and justice themes are among the most popular. But there are many other themes, including individualized majors focused on religion, human sexuality, Deaf studies, neuroscience, public policy, and film studies. Admission to the major is by application.

New Gateway course
Following consultation with the CLAS and CAHNR CCCs, the Individualized Major Program obtained approval from the UICC to offer a one-credit gateway course to the Individualized Major, UNIV 2600 Individualized Study Across Academic Disciplines. The course uses TED talks, multidisciplinary case studies, as well as the individualized major proposal writing process to explore:

  • the commonalities and differences among the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities
  • the key characteristics of the disciplines in which the student is particularly interested
  • what it means to be interdisciplinary (or multidisciplinary) and how an interdisciplinary approach might be effective in understanding certain issues.

This course is particularly appropriate for students who are freshmen, sophomores, and first semester juniors considering an IMJR.

Application Deadlines in 2014-15
Sept. 8, 2014
Oct. 6, 2014
Nov. 10, 2014
Feb. 23, 2015
March 30, 2015

Last Opportunity for Juniors to Apply
The Individualized Major Program requires students to apply before they begin their last 30 credits. This allows the student’s advisors and the Individualized Major Advisory and Admissions Committee to play a significant role in advising the student and shaping his/her plan of study.

In order to be able to do this effectively, the Individualized Major Advisory and Admissions Committee has set the following deadlines as the last opportunity for current juniors planning to graduate in May 2016 to apply:

  • Students planning an IMJR as single major: Feb. 23, 2015
  • Students planning an IMJR as a double major or additional degree: March 30, 2015

Please encourage students interested in an IMJR to apply early so that they have adequate time to plan their studies!

If you have questions about the Individualized Major Program, please contact the director at monica.vanbeusekom@uconn.edu or 860-486-0324.

Monica van Beusekom, Ph.D.
Director, Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program
(860) 486-0324
monica.vanbeusekom@uconn.edu

Return to Enrichment Programs Faculty Update Fall 2014