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Self-Designed
About the Program
Are you interested in a course of study that doesn't quite fit in a single major? Are your interests better served by courses from several academic disciplines? Do you want to develop a secondary major that more directly links your academic interests with career plans? If so, a self-designed major may be right for you.
Examples of Self-Designed Majors
Self-designed majors have previously been on topics including:
Biophysical chemistry
European politics
Environmental economics
Global ethics
Health analytics
Honors Project
Self-designed major students are encouraged to complete an honors project as part of their course of study. Just like honors students in set majors, you will begin working with an advisor no later than spring of your junior year to formulate a proposal. During your senior year, you will pursue your research and present your findings in the spring.
Previous projects have been on topics including:
Remittance behavior of highly-skilled Albanian migrantsSocial media practices and cybernationalism
Welfare reform and American exceptionalism
Risk factors of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Virginia
Oppression in contemporary young adult fiction
Alumni Spotlight
Jamie Holt '22 self-designed a photojournalism major while completing a French and Francophone studies major. While at William & Mary, she became the photographer for the Theatre, Speech & Dance Department as well as photographing almost every home football game. She is now the director of arts photography at the University of Virginia.
Hear from a Student
"My advisors and professors helped me with developing my major into one that was personal to me, but would also be beneficial to my career. In addition, they have helped me with planning for my career after I graduate." — Emily Han '25, environmental and ocean sciences (self-designed) major from Midlothian, VA
Talk to Us
Want to learn more?
Self-Designed
Contact Us
- Ask an academic advisor: Contact the Advising Center