Major and Minor Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences

Major Programs

Trinity offers an approach to majors that provides interdisciplinary support and enhances each program of study. This approach creates an essential link between the liberal arts, the major, and a selected professional focus.

When choosing a major, a student is encouraged to select a self-designed focus area. For example, a sociology or psychology major may want to focus on a career in health care or corporate management, and select related internship experiences; a history major may choose to focus on public policy, law, education, or preparation for a graduate program. This creates a broad range of professional options for each Trinity student and an enriched academic environment for the community.

There are three approaches to the major program: the traditional major in one discipline, the interdisciplinary major, and the individualized major. The specific requirements for receiving a degree in each discipline will appear with program descriptions. Students should declare their major during their second academic year.

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Traditional and Interdisciplinary Majors

Traditional and interdisciplinary majors in the College of Arts and Sciences provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills in a focused area of study. The following majors are offered:

Biochemistry Health Services**
Biology History
Business Administration Human Relations
Chemistry International Affairs
Communication Journalism and Media Studies***
Community Education * Mathematics
Criminal Justice Nursing**
Early Childhood Education* Occupational Therapy Assistant**
Elementary Education* Political Science
English Psychology
Forensic Science Sociology

* Offered in conjunction with the School of Education
** Offered in conjunction with the School of Nursing and Health Professions
*** Offered in conjunction with the School of Professional Studies

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Individualized Majors and Minors

The Individualized Major or Minor

Individualized concentrations are unique because they are not structured by a program or combination of programs, but rather they grow out of an individual student’s interest in a particular problem; a given profession; or a period, place, or theme to be approached from multiple points of view. Individualized majors and minors must be designed with and supported by a faculty advisor, in accordance with the student’s abilities and goals. They must also display coherence and purpose.

Proposals for individualized majors and minors must include:

  • A description of the proposed major or minor, including goals and objectives.
  • An explanation of interest in the proposed major or minor.
  • A description of how the proposed major or minor differs from existing majors.
  • An illustration of how programs at Trinity contribute to the formation of this major or minor.
  • A list of courses which the student plans to take, the semesters in which these courses are offered, and the instructors teaching the courses; the student should explain how these courses fit the goals for this major or minor.
  • Letters of support and approval of the major or minor from the faculty advisor and the faculty member planning to supervise the proposed individualized major or minor. The letter from the supervising faculty member must indicate his or her commitment to the supervision of the major or minor in its entirety. These letters must accompany the proposal.

Students considering individualized majors or minors must consult with their academic advisors and program chairs, who can provide detailed information about the application, development, and evaluation of such a program. Proposals for individualized majors must be approved by the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum and Academic Policy (CAS CAP) Committee. Proposals are usually submitted during the sophomore year or early junior year, and applications submitted after the beginning of the second semester of the junior year will not be approved.

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Minor Programs

Students may be interested in pursuing a focused area of study outside of their major program of study. The academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences provide for this interest by offering program minors in the following areas:

[columnize cols=3] Art History
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Communication
Community Education
Criminal Justice
Economics
Education
English
Fine Arts
Forensic Psychology
History
International Affairs
Language & Cultural Studies
Mathematics
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies & Theology
Sociology
Women’s Studies[/columnize]

* Offered in conjunction with the School of Education

In addition, students have the opportunity to develop and design individualized minors that reflect their personal or professional interests. Students who wish to take advantage of this option should work with Program Chairs in order to be sure that requirements are met. Individualized minors may be new configurations of courses or programs of study that have been previously approved, such as Applied Statistics, Bioethics, or Children, Family, and Public Policy.

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Electives

Students choose electives from programs complementary to their major. In consultation with an advisor, students can choose electives that reflect personal interests or career goals. Professional studies courses may be taken in a variety of fields; internships also offer job-related field experience and learning.

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Interdisciplinary and Supporting Courses

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a wide array of courses that are interdisciplinary in nature, as well as supporting courses that in certain cases serve to fulfill the General Education Curriculum requirements. For descriptions of such courses that are not listed as part of a major or minor program, see the Interdisciplinary and Supporting Courses page in this catalog.

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