CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY

INFORMATION FOR SPECIAL STUDIES MAJORS

Under certain conditions, an undergraduate student may design a major to fit his or her special interests and needs.  Special studies majors are normally interdisciplinary in nature and are composed of courses from several departments in the University.  The majors have a central topic or theme of study and may provide background study for particular career goals.  Special studies majors should not be considered when an existing major offered by the University provides the appropriate plan of study for a student’s stated goals.  The Special Studies Committee will consider proposals only when it is clear that no present major offered by the University meets the needs of the student.

Students who wish to plan special studies major should seek advice from a faculty member in one of the disciplines related to their interests.  With the help of the faculty member, they select courses for the major and prepare a proposal, which must be approved by the Special Studies Committee.  Students interested in following special studies major are urged to confer with faculty early in their careers.  An application normally should be filed prior to the completion of 60 credit hours.  Applications will be accepted only in rare circumstances after a student has completed 90 credit hours.
 

Conditions of special studies majors:

1.  Student eligibility:  Students must be matriculated at CCSU and must be in good standing academically.  Applicants must have completed at least 12 credits at Central or have transferred at least 30 credits from another institution.

2.  Faculty advisor:  A member of the instructional faculty will serve as faculty advisor for each special studies major upon request of the student.  The faculty advisor helps in selection of courses that constitute the proposed major and must approve the final application.

3.  Content of the major:  The courses selected for the major must be offered currently at Central.  Transfer course credits may be included, if appropriate.  At least half of the credits in the major must be upper division (300 and 400 level) courses.

4.  Major size:  A major of 36-42 credits is recommended.  However, if a larger major is desired, majors may total 54-60 credits. 

5.  Degree requirements:  A special studies major may lead to either a B.A. or B.S. degree and must have a minimum of 122 credit hours.  If the proposed major consists of 36-42 credits, the student must also declare and complete a conventional minor.  If a larger major of 54-60 credits is proposed, no minor is required.  Special studies majors must satisfy all academic requirements of the University, including general education and all course prerequisite requirements.

6.  Proposal:  After planning the major, students must prepare a proposal and write a justification, using the application form of Special Studies majors.  Forms may be obtained in the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences or downloaded from the University web page.  The application must be approved and signed by the faculty advisor as well as by the chairpersons of all departments from which three of more courses are selected for the major and by the Dean of the school of the advisor.  After all signatures have been obtained, applications should be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences by October 1 or March 1. 

Approval of special studies majors is by a majority of the Special Studies Committee, a subcommittee of the University Curriculum Committee.  The Special Studies Committee includes the Chair of the Curriculum Committee, the chairs of the Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Professional Studies, General Education, and Technology subcommittees of the Curriculum Committee, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences or his/her designee as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
 

Click here to download Application Form

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