Individualized Major Proposal
Instructions
To pursue an individualized major (iisp.uconn.edu), you must go through the admissions process. If you are a freshman,
sophomore or first-semester junior, we highly recommend that you enroll in our gateway course, UNIV 2600
Individualized Study Across Academic Disciplines (iisp.uconn.edu/gateway-course). This course will guide you through
the application process and introduce you to some principles of interdisciplinary thinking. Otherwise, we recommend
that you meet with an academic advisor (Michael Cunningham or Monica van Beusekom) at least two or three times
before submitting your application. You will also consult with three faculty advisors who have expertise in the areas of
study you are including in your major. Together, we can help you to formulate a successful proposal.
Plan of Study
Draft a plan of study (iisp.uconn.edu/plan-of-study). The plan must consist of at least 36 credits of 2000-level or higher
courses, 18 of which must be from the college granting your degree, and must include the following:

Research Methods Course. A research methods course will introduce you to how knowledge is produced and
evaluated in a particular discipline. Choose one from an academic department that is integral to your major.
Some examples include: COMM 3000Q, SOCI 3201, PSYC 2100WQ, or HIST 2100.

Capstone. The three capstone options are: UNIV 4600W Capstone Course, UNIV 4697W Senior Thesis, or an
approved alternative (iisp.uconn.edu/imjr-capstone). Note: Honors students must complete the thesis option.

Writing Intensive Course. A writing intensive course that is relevant to the major theme. This will normally be
designated “W” in the course catalog and is in addition to the capstone. If you are proposing a major in CAHNR,
this course must be from a department in CAHNR.
We strongly recommend that you include experiential learning in your plan of study, such as an internship, research, or
study abroad (iisp.uconn.edu/experiential-learning).
Bachelor of Science
Completed individualized majors in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources will be Bachelor of Science
degrees. If you intend to complete a Bachelor of Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you must include 24
credits of science courses in your individualized major plan of study and fulfill the CLAS general education requirements
for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Statement of Purpose
Draft a statement of purpose (iisp.uconn.edu/statement-of-purpose). Your statement of purpose should be about two
or three pages long (double-spaced) and address, in any order, the following four questions:

What is the academic focus of your proposed major? On what theme, issue, question or problem does your
major focus?

Why have you chosen this academic focus? What experiences (academic, co-curricular, or other) shaped your
decision to design this individualized major?

What do you hope to learn while pursuing the major and how will you build it? From what disciplines or
departments will you draw your courses? What insights do you hope to gain from your courses? How will you
integrate them into a coherent whole? One effective way to address this question is to consider what the
subthemes of your proposed major are and how the courses you’ve included address those sub-themes.
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)

How does this major fit into your academic and career goals? Will you be pursuing a minor or another major?
Will you be doing an internship, undergraduate research, or study abroad? Are you planning for a particular
career or graduate program? How does the IMJR fit your long-term goals?
Double Major/Additional Degree
Students planning a double major or additional degree must fill in a double major worksheet/additional degree
worksheet and a double major declaration/additional degree petition. See http://iisp.uconn.edu/plan-of-study/
Faculty Advisors
Identify three faculty advisors with expertise on the theme of your major (iisp.uconn.edu/faculty-advisors). Meet with
them to discuss your ideas for the major and to review your proposal. Be sure to revise your proposal according to your
faculty advisors’ recommendations.
Proposal Forms: Step-by-step instructions
1. Fill in your name, address, telephone number, etc in the top boxes of the Plan of Study form.
2. Fill in the courses that will comprise your major on the Plan of Study form.

In the Type column enter “W” for the writing intensive course, “RM” for the research methods course(s), “E” for
experiential learning (internship, study abroad, or independent study/research), or “H” if it will count towards
your honors requirements (if applicable).

In the Dept. Course# column enter the department and course number (e.g. COMM 3000Q)

In the Title column enter the title of the course (e.g. Research Methods in Communication)

In the Cr. column enter the number of credits for the course.

Leave the Prerequisites column empty if you have met the prerequisites for the course. Otherwise, list the
prerequisites that you still need for the course.

In the Semester column list the semester in which you took the course or are planning to take the course (e.g.
Spring 2017). We understand that this is subject to change – just make your best guess.

Don’t forget to include your plans for experiential learning in the appropriate box at the end of the form.
3. Sign the Plan of Study.
4. Insert your Statement of Purpose in the designated area, following the plan of study.
5. If applicable, fill in the Double Major Worksheet/Additional Degree Worksheet and Double Major Declaration
Form/Additional Degree Petition, and attach them to the proposal.
6. Obtain your faculty advisors’ signatures in the appropriate boxes on the Advisors’ Feedback and Endorsement
sheet.
7. Submit the completed proposal to the IMJR Office (Rowe 403) before 4:00 pm on the deadline date
(http://iisp.uconn.edu/imjr-deadlines/).
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
Catalog Requirements (CLAS)
Below are the requirements for the individualized major as listed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of
the Undergraduate Catalog.
GPA and Credit Requirements
Students with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher may apply for an individualized major. An individualized major
requires a field of concentration of at least 36 credits numbered 2000 or higher. The 36 credits may come from two or
more departments in the University. At least 18 credits shall come from departments of this College. The student may
include no more than 6 credits of independent study nor more than 12 credits of field work. To graduate, students must
earn a grade point average of 2.5 or better in the 36 concentration credits.
Degree
Individualized majors may contribute to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees.
General Requirements
Students may submit proposals for admission to the individualized major once they achieve third semester status and
may be admitted after completing three semesters of work (45 credits). The latest they may submit proposals is prior to
beginning their final 30 credits of study. The proposed field of concentration must show coherence of subject matter or
principle and have academic merit. Internship, field work, research, or study abroad is recommended as part of the
proposed plan of study. Students may include the individualized major in a double major plan of study, but at least 24
credits of the individualized major plan must not overlap with the student’s other major and its related field courses.
Capstone
All students with approved individualized major plans of study must complete a capstone course as part of their
concentration credits: they must register for UNIV 4600W (UNIV 4697W for honors and other students writing a thesis)
during their last academic year. (Double majors and additional degree students may meet the capstone course
requirement by substitution if they register for a capstone course or thesis in the final year of their other major.)
Writing in the Major
Writing in the major requirement: All students must nominate one other course numbered 2000 or higher in which they
will write in a relevant academic discipline (where feasible, this course should be a W course) and, in addition, take UNIV
4600W (or UNIV 4697W). (Double majors and additional degree students may choose to satisfy the exit level writing in
the major competency outside the Individualized Major.)
Information Literacy
Information literacy competency: All majors must take UNIV 4600W (or UNIV 4697W). In addition, all majors must
include one research methods or research course in their plans of study. (Double majors and additional degree students
may choose to satisfy the information literacy competency outside the Individualized Major.)
Computer Technology
Computer technology competency: The University’s basic entrance expectations are considered to be adequate for
Individualized Majors in general. However, Individualized Majors are required to consider if more advanced computer
technology competency is required for their major and, if yes, specify as part of their plan of study how they will achieve
it.
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
Catalog Requirements (CAHNR)
Below are the requirements for the individualized major as listed in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural
Resources section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
Credit Requirements
The Individualized Major program allows students to create a major that is not otherwise offered at the University of
Connecticut. Students pursuing an Individualized Major must meet all university-level and college-level requirements for
graduation and complete at least 36 credits numbered 2000 or above.
Requirements for the Major
Requirements for declaring and completing an Individualized Major are listed below:
 Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to declare an Individualized Major.
 Students must submit a proposed statement of purpose and identify three faculty members who are willing to
serve as an advisory committee.
 An Individualized Major has a minimum of 36 credits numbered 2000 or above courses which must: be from two
or more departments; include at least 18 credits from departments in the College of Agriculture, Health and
Natural Resources; be approved by the student’s advisory committee; be taken at the University of Connecticut;
have a combined Grade Point Average of at least 2.5; include no more than 6 credits of Independent Study and
Internship; not to be taken on Pass/Fail; meet all requirements of the “36 Credit Group” of the College of
Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
Computer Technology
To satisfy the general education requirement for the computer technology competency, Individualized Majors must
meet the University’s entrance expectations. They will not have to meet any advanced requirement for computer
technology.
Writing in the Major
The writing in the major and information literacy requirements will be satisfied by meeting these requirements for any
of the majors within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
IMJR Proposal: Plan of Study
Major
Title:
Last Name:
First Name:
Student Admin #:
Home Address:
Cell Phone:
List any double major or additional degrees:
UConn Email:
Planned Grad Date:
College of Major:
If CLAS, BA or BS?
Honors Student?
Honors in IMJR?
Credits Earned:
Current GPA:
PART A: Preferred Courses
Type Dept. Course#
Title
Cr. Prerequisites
Semester
taken/planned
Cr. Prerequisites
Notes
Total Credits:
Your major must include at least 36 credits.
You will be expected to complete the total number of credits that you propose.
PART B: Alternative Courses
Type Dept. Course#
Title
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
Computer Literacy
Is more advanced computer technology competency required for your IMJR? If so, what courses will apply?
Experiential Learning
Briefly describe any internships, study abroad, or research that you have planned.
Student Signature
I have read the catalog requirements and discussed my proposed plan for completion of an individualized major and my
other degree requirements with my prospective advisors. I wish to apply to the individualized major program.
Signature: ___________________________________________________________________Date: ________________
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
IMJR Proposal: Statement of Purpose
Insert the Statement of Purpose here.
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
IMJR Proposal: Advisors’ Feedback and Endorsement
Applicants for the individualized major are expected to seek the advice and support of three faculty members who have
expertise in the areas they wish to study. We welcome your feedback on the student’s plan of study and statement of
purpose.
Please note that:
 A student’s primary advisor must be from the college (CLAS or CAHNR) from which the student plans to graduate
and must be tenured, tenure-track, or in-residence faculty.
 Second and third advisors may be from other schools and colleges and may be adjunct faculty (provided their
department permits) if they will be at UConn as long as the student.
For more on advising individualized majors, please see the information on our website (iisp.uconn.edu), under the “Info
for Faculty” tab.
Primary Advisor
Name:
UConn Email:

Is the proposal (statement of purpose and plan of study) coherent and feasible?

What courses are most critical to the proposed major?

Do you have any other recommendations or information?
Signature:
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
Department:
Date:
Advisor #2
Name:
UConn Email:

Is the proposal (statement of purpose and plan of study) coherent and feasible?

What courses are most critical to the proposed major?

Do you have any other recommendations or information?
Signature:
Department:
Date:
Advisor #3
Name:
UConn Email:

Is the proposal (statement of purpose and plan of study) coherent and feasible?

What courses are most critical to the proposed major?

Do you have any other recommendations or information?
Signature:
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
Department:
Date:
IMJR Proposal: Decision Sheet
Conditions set by the IMJR Advisory and Admissions Committee
Recommendations made by the IMJR Advisory and Admissions Committee
Director’s Signature
IMJR Director:
Signature:
Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.iisp.uconn.edu)
Date: