These guidelines were put together by SAS Judicial and Academic Review Chair 2022-2023 Rina Nagashima, with the help of self-designed majors Julienne Ho ‘23, Samanatha Quach ‘23, Ellen Wang ‘25, and Gabrielle Ollig ‘21. Keep in mind that the advice listed is based on our experiences only.

 Official Guidelines
 Check the Scripps website for the most updated guidelines on self-designed majors. Submit your petition to the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) here.

In exceptional cases a student may petition the Academic Policy Subcommittee of the FEC for approval of a self-designed major. The major must consist of a minimum of ten semester courses or their equivalent (including senior thesis); these courses should allow the student to acquire mastery of the skills, methods, principles, theories, and history related to the course of study. The major will culminate in a thesis that will allow the student to demonstrate the acquired expertise. To plan the course of study the student will work closely with a Scripps academic adviser with experience and fluency in the field. The petition for this self-designed course of study must include:
  • A description of the major and its learning objectives.
  • An explanation as to why/how proposed major is an intellectual course of study with a unified and coherent subject matter.
  • An explanation as to why proposed area of study cannot be accommodated by existing majors, minors, and electives and/or any combinations thereof.
  • Statements from at least two faculty members who will be working with the student, defending and supporting the petition. These statements must include a detailed explanation of the basis for this course of study and why the area of study cannot be served by existing 5-C majors, minors, or a combination thereof.
  • A signature of a Scripps faculty member who agrees, barring unusual or unforeseen circumstances, to serve as a reader for the thesis and, if this Scripps faculty member cannot serve as first reader, then the proposal must, in addition, be signed by a Claremont Colleges faculty member who agrees, barring unusual or unforeseen circumstance, to serve as first reader for the thesis.
  • Initially, a student major petition form must be signed by individual faculty members whose courses are being counted towards the self-designed major. Subsequent changes to the proposed major requires only the major adviser’s signature.

Advice from Self-Designed Majors
  • When explaining your reasons for self-designing, explain why a self-designed major is your only option.
  • Outline a draft of your major proposal before talking to faculty for their support and signatures. Then, they will have a better idea of what you are envisioning and can give feedback.
  • Keep in mind that you will need signatures from faculty of classes you have yet to take. Department heads can be good for this.
  • The thesis readers that you list on your proposal are not hard commitments. This is really more of a placeholder until you are actually in your senior year and know what you want to work on and who you want to work with.
  • Be prepared for people to try and talk you out of it! They are just trying to look out for your best interest and not all students are up to the work this takes. If you know that you have the passion and drive to do this, just be persistent so they can see that you’re willing to put in the work to see this through. 
    • Also keep in mind that some departments may get funding based on how many students take their major, so they may want you to major in their department instead. You should do what’s best for you.
  • If possible, you should base your major proposal curriculum on an existing major, either at the other 5Cs or a comparable university/college in the US. Evidence of other colleges implementing such a major can strengthen your argument that this major is an “intellectual course of study with a unified and coherent subject matter.”

Sample Petitions for Self-Designed Majors 
Engineering & Design by Julienne Ho ‘23
  • There’s a whole lot in my folder linked above. I modified the HCD major to just be “design” as I wanted a broader degree title. That was a headache and a half. 
  • Getting a good advisor who believes in you is my #1 advice 
  • If you know what you want, go out and get it. I believe in you. Don’t stop til you have the major that you want. I am willing to provide you moral support until you get there!
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (917) 826-7120

Human-Centered Design Proposal by Samantha Quach ‘23
  • Human-centered design is a problem-solving approach that seeks to address the needs of the target demographic being designed for. HCD and collaborative thinking/design classes and workshops are offered at the Hive. 
  • HCD is applicable to a variety of disciplines/career paths, I will most likely pursue a career in UX and Product Design. 
  • Since Human-centered design is a preexisting concept and other 5C students have previously majored in it, it wasn't hard to get my petition approved. Technically, I am also an off-campus major since HCD is offered at Pomona's Hive. I am open to speaking to students interested in Human-centered design.
  • Email: [email protected] 

Education Studies Proposal by Ellen Wang ‘25
Peace, Conflict, and Global Governance Proposal by Gabrielle Ollig ‘21