Individual Major

(Please note that it is critical to meet with a Counselor in the Dean’s Office during the creation of the proposal. Proposals must be submitted prior to completion of 120 quarter units.)

Individual Major Forms

Individual Major Handbook and Proposal Packet
Fillable Proposal Packet

What is an individual major?

The Individual Major Program allows students the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary program of study to meet educational and professional objectives which cannot be achieved within existing majors.

The individual major can...

• Target interests to provide a cohesive major that meets academic and career goals.
• Prepare for employment or graduate school in a chosen field of study.
• Establish precedence for new fields of study.

Creating an individual major

1. Contact the Dean's Office to discuss a potential individual major and discuss the IM handbook and proposal packet, and quarterly deadlines.
   
2. Determine educational and career objectives by speaking to faculty and persons in career positions.
3. Write a statement of purpose which describes your individual major and why it best meets the stated educational objectives.
4. In consultation with at least two faculty members, select course work from at least two areas of specialization to complement defined educational and career goals.
5. University, college and major requirements must be incorporated into the proposal.
6. The completed proposal must be submitted to the individual major committee prior to completion of 120 quarter units. See the Dean's Office for deadlines each quarter.

Examples of approved individual majors

• Fashion in the Media
• Agricultural Ethnobotany
• Winemaking and Marketing
• Agricultural Education
• Cultural Urban Design
• Permaculture
• Physiology and Financial Management for Healthcare
• Animal Science and Policy
• Landscape Conservation Restoration
• Sustainable Housing Development
• International Wine Business