Overview

Students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences at Oberlin College & Conservatory must apply for the Individual Major, which lets students focus their academic work on an interdisciplinary topic outside the framework of an existing department or program.

The Major as Part of the Oberlin B.A.

Intellectual depth and breadth are the two essential poles of a liberal education. Depth is realized through intensive training in a major, whereas breadth results from the assimilation of the content, approach, and insights of several different disciplines.

Oberlin’s general education requirements encourage students to seek breadth in their education, while the major requirements help them to achieve depth.

In a departmental major, you would pursue depth through intensive training in a discipline represented by a department or program (e.g., Biology, History, or Creative Writing).

Requirements for such majors are published in the Course Catalog and on department websites; it can be useful for you to study these in order to understand the depth and intensity (e.g., the level of advanced work) expected in an Oberlin College major.

The Process of the IM

The Individual Major is created in collaboration between you and two faculty advisors, who work together to define a common topic for the major and to articulate how it fits with the liberal arts goals of the Bachelor of Arts degree at Oberlin.

The process usually begins in the sophomore year (and no later than the first semester of the junior year). With faculty advice, you name and develop the major, propose the relevant coursework for it, and present a coherent rationale that explains its focus, purpose, and viability as an Oberlin liberal arts major.

Your written proposal and faculty recommendations go before the Individual Majors Committee, a faculty committee which either approves it, suggests changes, or denies it. If approved, the major becomes a contract between you and the college, though changes may be necessary as faculty go on leave or courses are changed.

These changes are made in consultation with your advisors and the IM Committee. After the proposal is completed, you may return to the IM Committee to propose an Honors project in your IM. When completed, the title of the IM is recorded on your transcript.

Programme Structure

Courses can include:

Advocacy Communications
Food Studies
Architecture and Environmental Design
Narrative Studies
Arts Management
Linguistics
Empowering through Music
The Major Romance Languages
Music Journalism and Promotion

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Oberlin, United States

Disciplines

General Studies View 577 other Bachelors in General Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

A complete application includes:

A personal essay
One letter of recommendation from a core subject teacher
Secondary school report and high school transcript
Transfer students only: college report, college transcript, and mid-term report

Optional materials include:

SAT or ACT scores
Interview
Art or performance supplemental materials
Research abstract or résumé
One additional recommendation letter

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

68340 USD / year

≈ 68340 USD / year
Out-of-State

68340 USD / year

≈ 68340 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

68340 USD / year

≈ 68340 USD / year

Living costs

Oberlin

United States

1070 - 1765 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Individual Major.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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