Individualized Studies

Bachelor of Arts (A. B.) or Bachelor of Science (S. B.)

Individual interests or unusual career goals may lead the Elmira College student to do one of several different things:

Most students who pursue this option complete the requirements for an established major and sometimes a minor, but work far in advance with faculty and career advisors to set up a special internship for late in the junior year or in the senior year.  A few work with two advisors to arrange their own major from the hundreds of existing courses.  Advanced work is required for any major; a collection of introductory and intermediate courses does not necessarily challenge or build intellectual ability to the baccalaureate level.

For the A.B. (Artium Baccalaurei), at least 90 of the required credits for the degree must be in the liberal arts and sciences. For the S.B. (Scientiae Baccalaurei) , at least 60 credits must be in the liberal arts and sciences. For both, the major must consist of no fewer than 36 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned in courses numbered 3000 or above, and at least 18 credits must be selected from one discipline or from closely related disciplines. All Individualized Majors must include a writing intensive (W) course.

In addition to the required number of credits needed to complete the major, all students must also fulfill the general degree requirements in order to graduate. In the past Elmira College students have developed individualized majors such as Arts Management, Advertising, Scientific Illustration, Sports Marketing-Management, and Communications. 

In addition to the required number of credits needed to complete the major, all students must also fulfill the general degree requirements in order to graduate.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Stephen F. Coleman,
Associate Dean of Faculty
(607) 735-1795
scoleman@elmira.edu