Some students have intellectual and professional interests that reach beyond the boundaries of a particular major program. These students may create an independent major. The independent major is interdisciplinary in nature and suitable for highly motivated students willing to assume exceptional responsibility for their own education.

Outcomes

Many independent majors go on to graduate school. Others go directly into the corporate world, government agencies, or nonprofit work

Expert faculty, individual attention

As an independent major, you’ll work hand-in-hand with a group of three faculty members representing different departments.

Opportunities outside the classroom

Research: Most independent majors will engage in original research as part of their senior capstone and can present their research findings at the annual on-campus Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF)

Elon Experiences: Like all Elon students, students pursuing independent majors are encouraged to build on their classroom knowledge by pursuing internships, service learning, study abroad, and other experiential education opportunities.

Eligibility for Fellows programs

Independent majors may qualify for Honors Fellows and Elon College Fellows programs. These programs offer scholarship support, study abroad grants, and other opportunities.

Recent independent major topics

Recent students have proposed independent majors in the following areas:

  • African Biogeography, Ecology and Conservation
  • Architecture
  • Biophysics
  • Collaborative Leadership
  • German Studies
  • Human Centered Enterprise
  • Industrial Design Studies
  • International Documentary Studies
  • Jewish Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Native American Studies
  • Neuroscience
  • Philanthropic Documentary Production
  • Quantitative Finance
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Urban Studies
  • Women’s, Gender & Sexualities Studies

Application process

Select the tab at left to learn about the application process and get started.