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 should 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 "Proposal for a Self-Designed Major or Minor" form provided by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (available at OneStop and on the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Blackboard Site). 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 as long as a certain number of credits are completed at the College (as detailed below). 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 nor 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 (cross-registered courses do not count)
At least 50 percent of credits completed after approval of the Self-Designed Major
Support of two faculty sponsors

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
Minimum of 10 credits earned at The College of St. Scholastica (cross-registered courses do not count)
At least 4 credits must be completed after approval of the Self-Designed Minor
Support of two faculty sponsors

Policies

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all the courses in the Self-Designed Major or Minor.
The plan of study approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee cannot be revised by the
student and/or faculty sponsors without approval from the Committee.