The Individualized (INDI) Major program exists specifically for students whose work bridges diverse media and falls outside regular program and departmental structures. Individualized students study combined disciplines to transcend specific media by working in combinations of 2D, 3D, time-based, and written forms.
The INDI major is meant to serve students doing truly cross-disciplinary and conceptually based work. Before beginning the process of applying to the Individualized Major, students should talk to an INDI advisor and carefully consider the rigors of pursuing a career as a hybrid artist/designer.
The INDI major is an honors program and academic excellence is expected. Students are required to design a comprehensive course of study and to monitor their progress through graduation.
CCA also offers a comprehensive Individualized Major website specifically designed to facilitate the program.
Proposal and Approval Process
Three courses are required for INDI majors: one each at the sophomore, junior, and senior level. These classes give structure to the major and create community and guidance to the students.
PREPARATION AND APPROVAL: INDIV20001, Individualized Mentorship Tutorial.
This class helps the student prepare the groundwork for doing interdisciplinary work and helps each individual student evaluate whether the INDI major is appropriate. Students are guided to balance their work load across disciplines to build basic skill sets in multiple media and develop critical skills. The class emphasizes how students define and write their INDI proposals, which include a proposed curriculum and a contract for their junior and senior years.
Individualized Mentorship also requires students to develop a web portfolio that will be maintained throughout their individualized program. At completion, students will either be approved as INDI majors or will be directed into an existing major.
This course requirement must be completed by the end of a student's sophomore year. (For advanced transfer students, the course must be completed after the first semester at CCA). No student will be admitted into the INDI Major program without this approval process.
DEVELOPMENT: INDIV30001 Individualized Critique
This required course is open only to INDI majors who have taken the Individualized Mentorship class and have reached junior standing.
Individualized Critique expands on the goals of considered studio practice in combined mediums as begun in Individualized Mentorship and promotes the development of presentational and critical skills.
Coursework includes how to make oral and visual presentations, prepare and present portfolio documentation in multiple formats, write a statement and résumé, and assemble a senior project proposal.
COMPLETION: INDIV 40001 Individualized Senior Project
Senior project is the culmination of the individualized course of study. Students will present a final project/exhibition and work with faculty to realize their proposal. The class work is composed of group and individual presentations, as well as lectures from visiting artists. Students may take Senior Project classes in specific departments, but must take the Individualized Senior Project class in their final semester. Senior Project exhibits must be viewed and approved by INDI advisors and faculty before graduation is authorized.
How to Apply
Preliminary requirements: have a discussion with your current advisor, as well as with an individualized advisor; and register for the Individualized Mentorship class.
To apply to the Individualzed Major program, a student must be currently enrolled at CCA and have completed the core curriculum. (Transfer students must have completed at least one semester of CCA studio work.) Details about the application process are available from the Individualized Major advisor in the Student Affairs Office.
Individualized majors may base their work in two or more studio areas:
Or they may base their work in one or more studio areas and one of the following:
Community Arts
SMART Teaching Concentration
Writing and Literature
For more information, please visit CCA's Individualized Major website.
