How To Create Your Own Major In College
BOSTON (CBS) - When Jennifer Chevinsky was a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, she couldn't find a major she wanted.
Instead of transferring to a different school, she created her own major. A mix of science, philosophy and anthropology, it's called bio-ethics in cross-cultural perspectives.
"My major in bio-ethics enabled be to study what I found really interesting," she said. "It allowed me to take classes I could be fully engaged in and not have to sit through other classes that didn't interest me as much."
According to the College Board, more than 900 colleges and universities now allow students to develop their own program of study. That's up more than five-percent from just a few years ago.
WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben reports.
Margaret Lamb is Jennifer's advisor at The University of Connecticut. She has helped a number of students customize their majors.
"It's creative. It's motivating and in the end it's something they can take away that is more than just a diploma," she said.
Debra Humphries of The Association for American Colleges and Universities says many employers embrace this unique course of study.
"I actually think we're moving into a phase where the major itself and what it's called is far less important than the skills and abilities and experiences one actually has," she said.
But she cautions this type of program will not work for every field, particularly jobs that require licenses.
"Things like engineering or nursing or sometimes teaching," she said.
It also takes the right kind of student to be successful.
"The individualized major program is not going to be a good fit for students who aren't determined, for students who aren't good time managers," Lamb said.
Jennifer hopes her specialized major will spark the attention of admissions directors when she starts applying to medical school.
"It's gone extremely well and has provided me opportunities that I think I would otherwise never be able to have," she said.
Experts say students who are interested in individualized majors need to be passionate about their field of study.
The schools need to sign off on their major and that usually requires a rigorous review process.
