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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Individualized Studies Major

Pursue a personalized academic path that ignites your passion. Explore our individualized major program to build your own journey.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Program Type

Major

Credit Hours

124

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Salem Campus

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Three students holding up an item and analyzing it

An Individualized Major

Build bridges between disciplines and focus on the things you care about most. Use our interdisciplinary major to create new paths. Students have explored neuroscience, Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, and comparative literature.

Why choose Individualized Studies at Willamette?

  • Pave your own path. Combine different subjects within a liberal arts curriculum to pursue topics you're interested in. Complete research papers, explore internship opportunities, and use faculty mentorship to prepare for the future.
  • Learn outside the classroom. We're a vibrant community of thinkers, creators, and explorers. Join a student group to expand your academic pursuits and collaborate with other students.
  • Take your education abroad. Students can study abroad. Our advisors will work with you to find other colleges that can support your individual major. Consider taking courses in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, or even Australia!

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Alumni Stories

No matter what major you pursue, you'll have the support of alumni, staff, and faculty. Our graduates have created a variety of majors. They've also pursued graduate school and careers in various industries.

Stories

Our Faculty
Work closely with a variety of faculty members to develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Our individualized studies program relies on faculty mentorship and academic advisors to ensure students are on the right track. Use small classroom sizes and mentorship options to thrive in your personal journey.
Professor Mary Bachvarova leading a class.

Curriculum

Build an interdisciplinary education based on your passions. Take courses on a variety of topics to enhance your understanding and broaden your perspective. Whatever path you choose, you'll have access to research and internship opportunities that will set the stage for your future. Combine courses from at least two disciplines to create your major.

Program Requirements

While each Individualized Major will look different, all Individualized Majors must include:

  • At least 8 and no more than 14 credits
  • No more than 8 credits from the same disciplinary prefix
  • At least 3 upper-division credits and at least 3 lower-division credits
  • At least one Writing-centered credit
  • An integrative senior capstone

If the Independent Major is a second major, no more than 50% of the coursework in the first major may be counted towards it.

Two students working at a desk during a class.
Admissions Information

Students seeking to begin the process of designing an Individualized Major should contact the College of Arts & Sciences Deans’ Office, either in person at Smullin 108 or via email at cla-dean@willamette.edu.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting students pursuing an Individualized Major with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

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FAQs

Willamette University

Individualized Major