Open Curriculum

The Open Curriculum is a program designed to enable students to develop their own programs of study with the guidance of faculty advisers. It provides students with an opportunity to pursue a course of study more compatible with individual background, preparation and interest than is afforded by the regular lower division curriculum. The program is intended to help students obtain a broad liberal arts training, but with more freedom of choice than is allowed with the current divisional structure. Open curriculum is not designed to allow students to fulfill graduation requirements early or to facilitate multiple majors. Also, Open curriculum should not be confused with independent study or as a way to design a major. Generally, Open Curriculum students are motivated students who wish to have some added flexibility in planning their course work to develop their particular strengths and interests.

Specifically, the Open Curriculum program can be used to allow the substitution of honors, other advanced courses, and overseas experiences for lower divisional requirements. The program does not allow students to reduce the number of lower division courses they must take. However, students with a high level of preparation in a particular field or discipline can design their own lower-division curriculum with a sophisticated and advanced course of study. Admission to the program is restricted to motivated, mature students who have special talents, interests or goals, and whose academic records reflect evidence of achievement and responsibility. You may apply at any time during your college career. Applications are considered once each semester, and they should be submitted by October 1st or March 1st to the chair of the open curriculum committee. Applications must also include the documented support of at least two College faculty members in addition to the student’s lower-division faculty advisor.