BA Degree

Mission Statement

The Contract Major allows students to pursue multi-disciplinary studies of their choosing to construct their personal and individualized major by combining two or three areas of study.

Developed in the freshman or sophomore year by working closely with an advisor, the Contract allows a student to set his or her own program which, after approval by Academic Unit Chairs/ Directors from the areas of study and by the Academic Affairs Council, becomes that student's individualized graduation requirement. The Contract must incorporate at least two but no more than three discrete areas of study with a minimum of 15 credits in each. Up to 12 credits from general education may be incorporated in the contract. The program concludes with an independent Capstone project (e.g., a paper or thesis, creative exhibit or performance, research project) that is to be included in the 39-hour 3000-4000 level credit hour requirement.

Degree Requirements

A.  General Education Requirements:  36-47 hours

B.  Major Requirements:  45 hours

• The Contract - 42 hours*
• The Capstone Project - 3 hours

C.  General Electives:  36-47 hours

Note:   In addition to a major, a student may select a minor. Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take.

Note:   The major may provide fewer than 39 hours of 3000-4000 level course work, therefore any remaining 3000-4000 level hours will need to come from a minor, liberal arts elective studies in depth, and/or general electives.

Exit Assessment

The Capstone project is proposed in the first semester of the senior year and takes place in the final semester. It must integrate and show the relatedness of the areas in the Contract. Students register for the capstone course as a Directed Study, 4DS3, using the prefix of the predominant discipline.

TOTAL:  128 credit hours