Exploration: Discuss your idea with the Program Director and explore how to pursue it (e.g., classes,
internships, study abroad). You must have a 2.75 GPA (or 2.5 at the discretion of
the program director) after your first 30 credit hours. You may join the program at
any stage.
Draft Application: Draft a Statement of Purpose and Plan of Study and then meet with the Program Director.
The Plan of Study should be organized chronologically, showing when you will complete
the specified courses and other activities (e.g., internships).
The Statement of Purpose must convince the Coordinating Committee (think "Review Board") that you have carefully thought through your goals and are
proposing a rigorous program of study with clear academic merit. It should be 2-3
double-spaced pages in 12pt font, well-organized, clearly written, and free from grammatical
errors. Include the following four components:
Academic focus: Identify the major's themes, issues, questions and/or problems. Be sure the focus
is conceptually coherent. Title the major accurately, avoiding names of traditional
majors where possible. For example, "Science Communication and Sports" might be confused
with the existing "Science Communication" major. Consider instead "Sport Promotion"
or "Sport, Communication, and Society." Other acceptable titles would include "International
Child Welfare and Rights," "Environmental Writing," and "Mass Media, Popular Culture,
and Entrepreneurship."
Academic Content: Identify departments and courses drawn upon to cover the specified academic focus.
Carefully consider the courses you will take. Explain the themes that emerge and what
will be gained from those themes. Additionally, explain internships, field experiences,
and/or study abroad experiences that will enhance the major. You must provide a coherent,
academically rigorous plan and show why existing majors fail to meet your learning
objectives.
Personal Background: Identify past experiences (courses, research projects, jobs, internships) that have
shaped your decision to design this individualized major.
Academic and Career Goals: Explain your specific academic and career goals and how your major will help achieve
them. For example, you might explain how your major might enhance your chances of
participating in a competitive study abroad program, secure a highly desirable internship,
or gain admission to a specific sort of graduate school program. You may need to research
specific graduate school or career options to present a convincing argument. You need
not specify only one plan as you might instead detail a number of options that your
major will provide.
Identify Faculty Advisory Committee: Identify your primary advisor and two additional Winthrop faculty members who will
form your Faculty Advisory Committee and meet with them to help you develop your ideas. Solicit feedback on your Plan
of Study, Statement of Purpose, and proposal's focus, title, and academic content.
Consult advisors well before the submission deadline. Each will need to sign the Plan
of Study and Statement of Purpose.
Submit Application: Revise your materials based on feedback from your advisors and obtain their signatures
on the appropriate form. Submit to the Program Director your (1) Statement of Purpose,
(2) Plan of Study, and (3) unofficial transcript obtained from Degree Works. The Coordinating
Committee will evaluate whether the proposal is cohesive and conceptually sound, and the
feasibility of completing the planned courses and related experiences (e.g. internship,
study abroad) within the projected time frame.
Proposal Presentation: Attend the Individualized Studies Coordinating Committee meeting. Prepare a short
(two to three minutes) explanation of your major and be prepared to answer questions
about it and your future plans. The Committee meets only once each Fall and Spring
semester.
