The Individualized Major provides undergraduates with an opportunity to arrange an individually designed degree program when their educational aims fall between established disciplinary boundaries. This major is administered directly by the associate dean for undergraduate education of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Students should develop a program during the sophomore year, since they are normally expected to embark on the program by the beginning of the junior year. An individualized major typically involves only two or three academic areas—at least one of which must be in the Eberly College—and the program should be planned so the student attains academic depth that matches the depth and rigor of a traditional major. Following an initial discussion with the associate dean, a student interested in this program should seek the counsel of several faculty members, one of whom will become the student’s advisor. The student must submit a formal proposal to the associate dean for acceptance into the program. The student should seek the advisor’s assistance with preparation of the proposal and must then obtain an endorsement from a faculty member in each area of academic concentration. This endorsement should attest to the academic integrity of the student’s proposal. The proposal should include: a definition of the area of concentration, a statement of the objectives served by the program, and a list of courses that will constitute the program. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For more information, contact Dr. Nicholas Evans at: 304-293-4611 or via email at: Nicholas.Evans@mail.wvu.edu Or visit the web at: www.as.wvu.edu/indiv.html

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
Students may be accepted into the Individualized Major Program after they complete 58 hours of course work with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. A formal proposal that describes the program and outlines the course work, which has been endorsed by a faculty member, must be submitted.

Curriculum
WVU baccalaureate graduates are expected to possess knowledge and experience in the General Education Curriculum. Students must earn a total of at least 128 hours to graduate. All students must complete a capstone course as part of their requirements.

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Career options for students choosing the Individualized Major vary widely, depending on the program chosen. Students are urged to consider the employment opportunities available and should consult with faculty members, counselors in the Career Services Center, and other professionals prior to submitting a proposal.

Graduate School Opportunities
By carefully planning a program in consultation with faculty members, students choosing the Individualized Major can prepare for acceptance into graduate school or professional schools such as business, journalism, law, medicine, and public administration.

Salary Range
The salary potential of students completing an Individualized Major vary widely, depending on the marketability of the program emphasis. In general, according to the US Office of Personnel Management, government positions requiring a bachelor’s degree have an average beginning salary range of $25,000 to $35,000.