Self-Designed Programs of Study

Chair: Dr. Robin L. Cadwallader, rcadwallader@francis.edu, 814-472-3342

Saint Francis University offers an interdisciplinary option for students who want to design their own majors or minors. For example, a student might wish to combine courses in political science, management, psychology, and sociology in order to gain an understanding of how people behave in organizations. Another student might choose courses in business, communications, and psychology with the idea of becoming a business writer. A self-designed major or minor may greatly expand a student’s future career options as it provides students with a greater range of educational possibilities. Some recent self-designed majors include Human Rights, Global Cultures, and Healthcare Administration; a recent self-designed minor includes Art Therapy.

Students choosing to design their own majors must do so prior to completing their final 48 semester credits; students choosing to design their own minors can do so at any time, but should do so before their final semester of courses. Students involved in the self-designed major program are required to engage in independent studies that advance the knowledge of the students’ chosen areas of emphasis and are encouraged to hold internships to gain practical knowledge of their intended fields. The work of each student pursuing a self-designed major or minor will be overseen by a faculty committee chosen by the student.

The opportunity to design one’s major is a valuable experience. Designing one’s major requires discipline, responsibility, organization, and perseverance. However, the personal and professional rewards gained in creating and earning a self-designed major are significant. Those interested in the self-designed major or minor should contact either the Chair of the self-designed programs or the Vice President for Academic Affairs and review the guidelines for self-designed programs.