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Dedman College

DEDMAN COLLEGE
INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES IN THE LIBERAL ARTS

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director

The Individualized Studies major in the Liberal Arts provides students an opportunity to design an interdisciplinary program of study that brings fields of inquiry together in unique combinations not currently offered as a program in the curriculum.

Interested and academically qualified students are invited to explore this possibility with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of Dedman College, 214-768-2168. If the Plan of Study appears to have merit, the Dean will suggest faculty members in appropriate departments and divisions of the University who can provide further assistance in designing the program. Students must ask at least three faculty members to constitute a Faculty Supervisory Committee, with one serving as chair.

Program Description

Students with at least a 3.50 G.P.A. in the first 24 term hours taken in residence at SMU are eligible to pursue the program in Individualized Studies.

The program consists of individually designed majors in the liberal arts of at least 36 term hours, with a minimum of at least 24 term hours of advanced courses (3000 level or above). The program must satisfy the General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements and all other University and Dedman College graduation requirements. Students are responsible for fulfilling all prerequisites for courses taken.

The degree will be identified as a Bachelor of Arts. The transcript will refer to the major as “Individualized Studies in the Liberal Arts.” A note on the transcript will denote the specialization. Students intending to seek admission to graduate schools are encouraged to include at least 30 hours of a coherent set of courses in an identifiable disciplinary field.

The following should be submitted to the program’s director:

1. Formal Plan of Study (including goal statement and major plan).

2. Transcript.

With the director’s approval and written approval of the Faculty Supervisory Committee, materials will be submitted to the College Undergraduate Council for action.

Administrative Procedures

The Dedman College Undergraduate Council shall have the final authority to approve all individualized programs. The Chair of the Council (or a designee) will act as the Director of Individual Studies.

Prior to declaring the major, a number of steps must be completed:

1. The student and chair of the program must form a Supervisory Committee with a minimum of three members. The Supervisory Committee will provide advice and guidance to the student. At least two members, including the chair of the committee, shall be resident members of the Dedman College faculty.

2. The student will submit a Plan of Study to the director and to each Supervisory Committee member. If the committee and the director approve the Plan of Study, the Plan is then submitted for approval by the Undergraduate Council.

3. The Plan is transmitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs and to the Dedman College Dean’s office.

The Plan of Study normally should be submitted to the Dedman College Undergraduate Council for approval before the completion of 60 total term hours of coursework.

The chair of the Supervisory Committee and the College Dean’s Office will recommend candidates for graduation. The Dean of Student Records will be responsible for verifying and certifying graduation requirements.