AARC S Consideration of the Double Major

AARC’s consideration of the double major

AARC considered the Senate action, comments recorded in the Senate’s October minutes, data of present and past (last 5 years) double majors at the College provided by the Registrar, and a few examples of double majors with substantial course overlap (for example, Bus Ad and Accounting, or Biology and Allied Health Sciences).

AARC holds as its opinion that the major is defined as a “group of coordinated courses within a particular discipline” and that the responsibility and authority to decide the uniqueness of the major curriculum lies within each department or program. Note that (2/5)ths of this year’s committee are returning members from the prior year.

If there is an overlap of courses with another discipline, the program is certainly aware of such an overlap. Each department should determine for its own program whether a particular double major combination is/is not appropriate, or if there are alternate or additional courses that must be taken. It’s the AARC’s opinion that the program faculty must determine what is appropriate based on their expertise and understanding of discipline-specific norms.

The number of students who are presently undertaking a double major (75 out of 2873 undergrads) or have completed a double major in the past (average of 15.6 students/year over the past 5 years), suggest that this is not a critical concern. In addition, the requirements of the Business Administration major have changed, making it more challenging to combine majors within SEBA.

Implementation

For the more common combinations of double majors (for example, Accounting and Business Administration, or Mathematics and Physics), AARC recommends that the two departments consult and share their policies with one another. These policies (what is not appropriate, if there are course substitutions, whether there may be a combined senior project, whether only a minor will be allowed) should be outlined for each department in the Undergraduate Course Catalog.

In crafting policies, departments have authority only over their own curriculum. (For example, Physics cannot deny a student petition to also major in Math. The physics department can only deny a student from also majoring in physics. Physics can only suggest alternate or additional physics courses, not alternate or additional Math courses.)

In the case of split majors, a student may not double major with either of the disciplines that make up the split major. For example, a Biology-Physics split major may not double major with Biology or Physics. Split majors may, however, undertake a second major in other disciplines. In the case of an individualized major, the UEPC plays the part of one department. In the case of an interdisciplinary major, the department or dean in charge of the interdisciplinary curriculum plays the part of one department.

Using the present online major declaration process, when a student declares their second major, we recommend that the Registrar’s Office inform both department chairs and both faculty advisors of the student’s name and the two fields they wish to complete. The Registrar’s Office can determine whether both majors were completed based on the Course Catalog description of the major, given that departments should clearly outline their policies in the Catalog. The Registrar’s Office should consider overlapping courses as acceptable, unless otherwise stated by the department. As usual, exceptions to what’s in the Catalog must be submitted as a special petition and approved by the relevant Department chair.

Suggested catalog language is below. Some language changes reflect new FYAC procedures, new program names, or minor corrections.

Suggested catalog language (based on 2013-2014, pp 54-56)

II. Major field of study

Defined as a group of coordinated courses within a particular discipline or alternative program of study, ordinarily including at least two preparatory courses at the lower-division level and at least eight courses at the upper-division level. Certain majors may require additional background course work in related fields. The regular major groups available to students in the various curricula of the College are listed elsewhere in this catalog. A student may declare or change majors on the appropriate petition form available in the Registrar’s Office. A student graduating with a double major will receive only one degree even if the majors are in two different schools.

Students choose a major field of study, an in-depth concentration in a specific academic area, and elective courses according to their interests. (Those who have not determined a program or major field of study at entry are encouraged to take introductory courses in various fields and to settle on a major field of study only as their interests develop a sharper focus.) Students are encouraged to declare their major field of study in the Spring semester of their first year. Those who have not determined a program or major field of study are encouraged to take introductory courses in various fields and to settle on a major field of study when their interests develop a focus. Ordinarily, students must declare their major field of study by the beginning of their junior year. A student declares a major by submitting the appropriate form available from the Registrar’s Office.

ALTERNATIVE MAJORS The College offers the option of an alternative major program of study, including a Split Major, an Interdisciplinary Major, an Individualized Major, or completion of comprehensive alternative programs. Information on the alternative comprehensive programs can be found in the Curriculum Section under these headings: Integral Program, Liberal & Civic Studies Program, Pre-Professional Curricula, 3 + 2 Engineering Program, and 2 + 2 Nursing Program.

• SPLIT MAJORS. Combines work in two departments, must be approved by the chairs of the departments concerned and by the Registrar. Such majors ordinarily comprise nine upper-division courses (six courses in one field and three in another), in addition to the lowerdivision lower division prerequisites of both departments

• INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR. Includes the following: international area studies major, e.g., European studies; Latin American studies, student-directed studies (see director, of International Area Studies); American studies (see chair, Department of History); allied health science major (see advisor, Allied Health Sciences Health Science advisor, School of Science); health and human performance major (see chair, Department of Kinesiology); cross-cultural studies major (see dean, School of Liberal Arts).

• INDIVIDUALIZED MAJOR. A student who believes that his / her academic needs and purposes would be better served by a distinctive program of studies may present an individualized major plan. Besides fulfilling requirements for a major, this plan must satisfactorily lead the student toward the goal of liberal education which the College sees as essential for all of its graduates. Students wishing to pursue an individualized major must submit their proposal to the Registrar and the Chair of the Undergraduate Educational Policies Committee (UEPC) for approval. The guidelines for the proposal can be found online through the Registrar’s Office.

DOUBLE MAJOR

A student is allowed to double complete two separate major fields of study. A student must fulfill all the requirements of each major as specified by each program or department. To do so, all of the requirements for both majors must be completed unless the chair of either major program approves alterations for that student. Some individual majors may require so many courses that it is not usually possible to complete that major and another full major. It is up to the student to arrange how courses are taken, including possible summer coursework, so as to complete all requirements. Policies, including those regarding senior projects and courses that overlap between majors, vary by major and are included in each program or department's curriculum description. Split majors may not double major with either of the disciplines that make up the split major, and must consult with both major advisors when considering an additional major. Individualized majors may complete another major field, upon UEPC approval. Interdisciplinary majors must consult with the department or dean in charge of the interdisciplinary program when considering another major field.

A student who double majors receives only one degree in one school, even if the second major is in another school. The diploma will carry the name of the degree chosen by the student from the two completed; the transcript will indicate two majors were completed.

MINOR FIELD OF STUDY The College offers the option of a minor field of study, defined as a combination of at least five courses from a discipline other than that of the major field, at least three of which must be upper division. Requirements for the minor, including policies on courses that overlap with the major, vary by department and are included in each program or department's curriculum description.