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Self-Designed Majors and Minors

Self-Designed Majors and Minors

Consistent with the Benedictine heritage stressing the uniqueness of the individual, students who wish to pursue a course of study not accommodated by majors and minors offered at The College of St. Scholastica may design their own major or minor in consultation with two faculty sponsors. Courses selected should create an intellectually coherent course of study in which each course is related to the student's objectives for the major or minor. Students may wish to use outside resources, such as curricular plans from academic or professional societies or the requirements for similar majors and minors at other colleges that offer such programs, in developing their proposals.

Proposal for a Self-Designed major or minor

A Proposal for the Self-Designed Major or Minor should be developed using the Guidelines provided by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. The Self-Designed Major or Minor may include courses not available at CSS or off-campus and international study programs and may include cross-disciplinary studies. The support of two faculty sponsors is required. 

The Proposal Form and narrative are submitted to the Chair of the Committee by the student.  The Committee reviews the proposal and may provide suggestions for revision and resubmission. The Chair's signature indicates the approval of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

Self-Designed majors

The program for the Self-Designed Major must meet the following requirements:

  • No fewer than 34 and no more than 58 credits
  • At least 12 credits at the 3000-level or above
  • A minimum of 16 credits earned at The College of St. Scholastica
  • At least one-half of the credits must be completed after the major is approved.

Self-Designed minors

The curriculum for a Self-Designed Minor must meet the following requirements:

  • No fewer than 18 and no more than 22 credits
  • At least 8 credits at the 3000-level or above
  • A minimum of 10 credits earned at The College of St. Scholastica. 
  • At least one-third of the credits must be completed after the minor is approved.

Policies

Students must earn grades of C or better in all the courses in their Self-Designed Major or Minor.
The approved plan of study cannot be revised by the student or faculty advisers without approval from the Committee.