As a student, you will work in consultation with your multidisciplinary studies adviser to formulate a degree proposal that details how you plan to investigate a unique theme around your interests from the viewpoint of at least three different subject areas. Given the self-designed nature of this program, you may not duplicate existing majors from any academic area.
How to Write Your Proposal
Your proposal must follow the format below:
- Proposal Coversheet: Complete the form provided by your adviser; please include a statement of your theme.
- Statement of Theme: This is an in-depth essay in which you:
- clearly and precisely articulate your theme of study
- explain why you are not able to accomplish your goals in a standard major
- Academic Plan: This is a detailed justification of each course that you have selected to meet the core and option requirements of your major.
- For the core courses, your must justify how each course relates to your theme, as well as how each course leads to the development of skills in the prescribed categories (research, critical analysis, communication, and theory/application).
- For the option courses, you must justify how each course relates to your theme and how the courses are related to one another. This section should not simply reiterate course descriptions or informational content; rather, it should address your specific curricular expectations.
- Statement of Educational and Career Expectations: This is an essay in which you summarize your goals.
- Summary of Related Activities: This essay should summarize any activities (extracurricular, employment, internship, etc.) that contribute to or are enhanced by your academic plan.
Suggested Proposal Planning
Step 1 – Before You Write Your Proposal
Timing: by the end of the first semester of enrollment
- Carefully read the Multidisciplinary Studies Guide
- Write down your fields of interest and write a draft of your theme.
Examples of themes are: “Art as a tool for the behaviors associated with the nature of human societies" (Courses in Art, Sociology, and Psychology); "American Studies: Discovering Culture thorough Art, Literature, and Historical Inquiry" (Courses in History, Sociology, and English Literature and the Arts); "Women in Management and Leadership" (Courses in Women's studies, Business, and Organizational Leadership)
- Look through the course catalog in LionPATH and begin making a list of courses you are interested in taking that would support your theme. Begin to think about why you would pick each course. Make notes. Select courses for your CORE, OPTION, and CAPSTONE.
Make an appointment with your academic adviser to discuss your theme, the list of courses you have thus far selected, and the notes that you have made. Develop a tentative timeline for the completion of your degree. (You may divide the courses by semesters.)
Step 2 – Draft Your Proposal
Timing: beginning of the second semester of enrollment
- Write a draft that discusses why you have selected your theme and why other majors do not meet the scope of your academic goals.
- Write a draft of your academic plan that explains the timeline of your courses and an explanation of why you have selected your specific courses for the CORE, OPTION, and CAPSTONE.
- Write a draft of your Educational and Career Goals.
- Write a draft that explains how your current employment, extracurricular activities, internships, etc. contribute to or are enhanced by your academic plan.
Step 3 – Finalize and Submit Your Proposal
Timing: throughout the second semester of enrollment
Make an appointment with your academic adviser to discuss your drafts. Discuss how to make a unified document.
- Edit your drafts.
- Complete the Proposal Coversheet (your adviser will provide a copy).
- Finalize your proposal into a single document.
- Submit to your adviser for revision before the end of the second semester of enrollment.
NOTE: Your proposal must be completed and approved by the College of the Liberal Arts prior to completion of 60 credits, so please plan accordingly.
Step 4 – Declare Your Major
Timing: upon approval of your proposal
If your proposal is approved, you will need to work with your adviser to request the major through LionPATH.