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What Can I Do With a Major in Individualized Studies?
The Individualized Studies: Western Program is dedicated to developing students as independent thinkers with the skills to address the complex challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Western's seminar style classes emphasize critical analysis, integration of ideas, class discussion, and writing — skills that are essential for future success.
Working closely with faculty and academic advisors, students design their own interdisciplinary major by integrating courses offered by two or more departments and programs. The major may include related coursework from study abroad, internships, and service learning. The individualized studies major is a good fit for self-directed students with multiple interest areas and for students entering Miami with substantial earned credit hours (transfer, PSEOP, AP/IB).
Students complete a senior project, which reflects their individually created program of study. Students take a sequence of courses in which they propose their project, complete their research and make a formal presentation. The senior project fulfills the Miami Plan capstone requirement.
Interests
Students who complete self-designed academic programs gain the perspectives and practical skills needed to define and shape their own career paths. The major in Individualized Studies provides flexibility for students who have multiple interests and are excited by the intersections between these areas of inquiry. The major is also a good fit for students with specific career goals who prefer to create a focus of study that is not offered through a single department. Some examples of senior projects created by Western students include:
- Animal welfare
- Art and life science for medical illustration
- Art therapy
- Bioethics
- Business in a changing society
- Creative writing and performance art
- Economic development and micro-financing
- Ecotourism
- Event planning (political, social, sports)
- Entrepreneurship and minority-owned business
- Environmental awareness and education
- Environmental justice and politics
- Fashion and culture
- Feminist perspectives in advertising
- Film and globalization
- Gender and society: realities and issues
- Geochemistry and lake chemistry
- Human rights, ethnic policy, political reform
- Land use and amphibian populations
- Marine ecology and paleoecology
- Medical ethics
- Museum studies: interactive museums
- NGOs: role and impact
- Outdoor education and leadership
- Photography and journalism
- Poverty studies and social work
- Pre-Law, ethics and public accountability
- Pre-Med, environmental toxins and the brain
- Public health and indigenous populations
- Science and art
- Science and faith
- Social entrepreneurship
- Social problems and the law
- Special education and the built environment
- Theater for social change
- Youth subcultures and education
Competencies
- Project Management/Research
- Design and conduct major research projects
Organize ideas and materials
Recognize relationships, patterns, and structures
Assess resources
Clarify/develop ideas and theories
Review/evaluate projects or ideas
Communication Write reports and articles
Summarize and present results through written and spoken media
Compose and express points of view and listen to the views of others
Describe and evaluate issues, problems, and events
Present proposals and reports to groups - Creativity
- Develop/generate ideas
Explore cultural expression
Take purposeful risks
Think creatively and originally
Review/evaluate projects or ideas - Communication
- Write reports and articles
Summarize and present results through written and spoken media - Human Relations
- Value diversity and respect difference
Engage with other learners to discuss ideas and concepts
Sensitivity to cultural perceptions and viewpoints
Live as an active member of a community
Sensitivity to ethical issues - Analytical
- Summarize and interpret data
Think critically and problem solve
Synthesize and integrate information and ideas - Integrative Thinking and Learning
- Understand connections between various subject areas
Ask and investigate questions
Learn in multiple settings and from multiple sources
Adapt ideas and values
Generate new ideas and think independently
Understand issues in context
Uncover and challenge assumptions
Deal with ambiguity, irony and paradox
Opportunities - Careers
Career options for individualized studies majors are extensive and depend, in part, on the student's self-designed curriculum. The expertise acquired through the senior project will give Individualized Studies graduates a competitive edge in their chosen career fields. Graduates may pursue careers in government, education, business, human services, communication, the arts, law, medicine, and research. Graduates may also participate in such service opportunities as the Peace Corps, Americorps, Teach for America, and teaching English abroad.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Individualized Studies majors may pursue graduate and professional studies including: law, medicine, dentistry, social work, library science, public health, public administration, international affairs, business, anthropology, literature, photography, theatre, history, women's studies, urban planning, clinical psychology, ministry, creative writing, and education.
Opportunities - Experiential
Coursework from study abroad programs may be incorporated into students' self-designed major and inform their senior project. In addition, students may participate regularly in internship programs, service organizations and volunteer opportunities that provide a practical application in their field of study.
Sources of Additional Information
- Individualized Studies: Western Program (112 Peabody Hall, 529-2233, western@MiamiOH.edu)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.