BSc (Independent Major) in Chestnut Hill United States | Boston College

Typically, students are expected to enroll in standard degree programs provided by academic departments. However, in exceptional cases where a student's unique academic interests cannot be fulfilled through conventional majors, double majors, or major-minor combinations, the Educational Policy Committee may authorize an interdisciplinary Independent Major. Applicants for an Independent Major generally need to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA. With guidance from a faculty advisor, the student must design a 36-credit curriculum (typically twelve courses), with at least 30 upper-level credits. This program should span no more than three departments and adhere to a well-articulated unifying theme. The proposed major must demonstrate equivalent rigor and cohesion to traditional departmental majors, incorporating a capstone project or thesis that validates the intellectual integrity of the Independent Major, along with continuous evaluation by both student and advisor. Proposals must be submitted to the Dean's Office by March 1 of the student's second year, after which the Dean will forward it to the Educational Policy Committee for review. Normally, an Independent Major will serve as the student's sole primary field of study.