COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts with a Special Major requires students to meet specific academic and structural criteria to ensure that their individualized program maintains rigor and coherence. Admission is limited to regularly matriculated students who have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, reflecting the program’s emphasis on academic strength and self-directed learning.The major itself must include at least 36 units of carefully designed coursework drawn from two or more academic disciplines, with a minimum of 24 units at the upper-division level. Depending on the scope and focus of the proposed program, a faculty committee may require additional units to ensure depth and academic quality. A key requirement is the inclusion of at least one 3-unit upper-division writing-intensive course, which helps students develop advanced research and communication skills within their interdisciplinary field.Students must propose their Special Major before reaching their senior year. At the time of application, they should have completed no more than 84 total units and must have at least 36 units remaining to finish their degree. This ensures that there is sufficient time to properly design and complete the customized program. It is important to note that General Education courses, whether lower-division or upper-division, cannot be counted toward the Special Major, although they may support the overall academic plan.The program is intended as a standalone major and cannot be combined as a double major or pursued as part of a second bachelor’s degree. Additionally, all students must complete a culminating experience, such as a research project or written thesis, which demonstrates the integration of their interdisciplinary studies. Up to three units for this final project may be included within the major requirements.Overall, these requirements ensure that the Special Major remains academically rigorous, purposeful, and well-structured while allowing students the flexibility to pursue unique educational goals.