Interdisciplinary Major
Highly qualified students may design an Interdisciplinary Major, with a unified focus, on a topic not available as a regular major. The Interdisciplinary Major consists of courses offered by two or more departments for a minimum of 42 hours. Students must submit a proposal outlining the nature of the major, a list of courses to be included, evidence of a comparable major at another university (and their requirements) if available, and at least one letter of support from a faculty member who has agreed to be the student’s research advisor. A second faculty member must agree to advise the student on the project as well, and although a letter of support from this second faculty member is not required, it is encouraged. The interdisciplinary major may be declared after the student completes 40 hours; however, planning for the major should begin as early as possible. A second major may not be declared. A minor may be declared; however, courses used in the interdisciplinary major may not also meet the requirements in the minor.
Students are required to complete an independent senior project, approved and reviewed by the advisor and readers from participating departments, and they must formally defend their project at the conclusion of their senior year. A student who declares an Interdisciplinary Major, but who fails to complete the proposed plan, must still complete a regular major to graduate. Proposals are reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Major Committee, a five-member committee composed of one faculty member from each College division.
- If a currently offered major or major/minor combination could satisfy the requirements of the proposed interdisciplinary major, the student should be advised to pursue the established major.
- The Interdisciplinary Major has one required course, IND 399, which will be facilitated by the student’s research advisor. Other independent studies courses may not be used to fulfill requirements.
- Courses offered by Interdisciplinary Programs and Interdisciplinary Minors without a major may be used.
- Proposals for pre-professional majors (such as pre-med, pre-business, or entrepreneurship) will not be approved. Students who wish to pursue these types of programs will be advised to follow one of the curricular paths already established by College departments and/or the Wake Forest School of Business.
- Proposed interdisciplinary majors that appear to be designed to avoid particular required courses in established majors will not be approved.
- Students may declare an approved interdisciplinary major after completing 40 hours. Upon the approval of the Interdisciplinary Major Committee, students may use a limited number of already completed courses to satisfy the requirements of the major.
- Completed proposals should be submitted to the Interdisciplinary Major Committee by February 1 of the student’s sophomore year. This will allow sufficient time for review and approval in advance of registration for the following fall term.
- Students should review previously approved applications for the Interdisciplinary Major as models for their own proposals. A sample of previously approved applications can be retrieved from the chair of the Interdisciplinary Major committee.
- Interdisciplinary majors may be built on existing interdisciplinary minors; however, in keeping with the student-designed aspect of this program, the proposal should demonstrate a focus that is adapted to the particular student‘s interests and should demonstrate more depth than the minor in at least two disciplines.
- Students should consult with faculty from relevant departments about the feasibility of completing the proposed courses during their time at Wake Forest. Courses listed in the proposal should be selected from those that are offered regularly at Wake Forest. Alternates for specific courses should be provided, just in case they are not offered.
- Once a proposal has been approved by the Interdisciplinary Major Committee, the registrar will be notified so that the student may register for major courses in relevant departments. Students should be aware, however, that the Interdisciplinary major does not guarantee registration in courses within particular departments. Students who are interested in the Interdisciplinary Major are encouraged to meet with the chairs of relevant departments to discuss the possibility of registering for departmental courses should they be approved.
- To determine the feasibility of their ideas, interested students should schedule a meeting with the chair of the Interdisciplinary Major Committee no later than the fall semester of their sophomore year.
- Minimum 3.3 GPA required.
- A robust written proposal that explores the student’s general and specific academic interests; provides a curricular justification for pursuing the major; and establishes a clearly articulated rationale that explains why a traditional major or major/minor combination will not suffice.
- A curriculum map that lists major courses with alternates.
- List of requirements for this major at another institution (if available).
- Faculty letters of support: one required, two preferred
- Include a signed letter of support by a faculty advisor who has agreed to be the research advisor and direct the senior project. The research advisor will be the instructor of record for IND 399, to be taken in the spring semester of the student’s senior year.
- If possible, include a letter of support from a second faculty advisor from a separate department.
- Official or unofficial transcripts.

Deadline
Applications are due by Feb. 1 of the student’s sophomore year.
Contact
Dr. Eric Stottlemyer
Chair of the Interdisciplinary Majors Committee
Office of the Dean of the College
104 Reynolda Hall
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC 27106-7387
stottlem@wfu.edu