Applicant’s Name
UID#
Major or Minor Sequence
Rationale
Note to Applicant:
Replace this note and the prompt below with your Rationale statement. The Rationale
statement is part of the application and should be included in the application itself, not as a
separate file.
Illinois State University offers students the opportunity, under the Major or Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies, to
construct an individualized program of study that differs from the University’s regular major and minor programs.
Students pursuing a Major or Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies take existing University courses which lead to the
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor or Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
The Major (as well as the Minor) in Interdisciplinary Studies is described in greater detail in your catalog.
Interdisciplinary Studies is among a set of program descriptions that can be found in the section of your catalog
on “University-Wide Programs.”
When you are ready to begin the process of applying for the Major or Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies, your first
task is to provide a brief essay (500 words, 2 pages double-spaced) in which you articulate carefully the rationale
for your special, contracted major or minor. Your essay should have 3 main parts:
A. In this part of your essay, you must spell out your learning objectives. This is really the cornerstone of
your essay in that it establishes the foundation of your request to pursue this special contracted major or
minor. The major or minor that you design will be evaluated, at least in part, on the basis of how well it
addresses the learning objectives you spell out in this opening section. Therefore, make sure that you
think carefully about your objectives. If you think about saying that you just want to get out of here or that
you just want a good job, think some more. Objectives of that sort are not the stuff that successful
Interdisciplinary Studies applications are made of. We are looking for more substantive objectives. You
might need to tell us about the career path that you want to be prepared for. You will probably need to
describe in some detail the expertise that you want to have – for that career path or possibly just because
you are driven by a strong curiosity in that direction.
B. In this part, you must give a general overview of the particular major or minor you wish to propose. Give it
a name/identity, and discuss briefly how the program addresses your learning objectives.
C. In this part, you must elaborate a bit more carefully on the program sketched only briefly in response to
(B). Discuss briefly the courses you would like to include in your major or minor and how they come
together to form a coherent program. Discuss also how this set of courses addresses your learning
objectives.
This essay is not a hoop -- not a bureaucratic obstacle. It is a professional document with a very serious purpose.
You must remember that you are engaged in a professional discourse, the ultimate goal of which is fulfillment of
requirements for a Bachelor's degree at Illinois State University. You need to present an effective argument that
will establish good reasons for the University to allow you to pursue a special major or minor of your own design.
That is exactly what you are doing when you apply for the Interdisciplinary Studies major or minor. All of the
regular majors and minors offered by the University go through a rigorous process of curricular review (at various
levels) before they can be implemented. Beyond that, they go through periodic reviews by outside accrediting
agencies for as long as the University chooses to offer those majors and minors. Your proposal for your particular
plan of study for the Interdisciplinary Studies major or minor is not subjected to anything nearly as rigorous as
this. However, you cannot expect the University to approve your proposal just because you ask nicely. You must
assume the professional responsibility of making a good, strong case for the program you are proposing.