Individualized Studies (Western Program), College of Arts and Science

The Western Program in Individualized Studies houses two degree programs, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.), both of which allow for a highly individualized and flexible program of study that provides �þ��s with the opportunity to explore their interests in unique and personalized ways. These distinctive, interdisciplinary programs encourage intentional, integrated learning that culminate in a senior research project which showcases �þ��s’ talents and interests and serves as an entry point to diverse careers or graduate education. Students in both programs receive differentiated mentorship from advisors and faculty and enjoy close relationships with them and with other �þ��s via our Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation. The Western Program is like a liberal arts college within the larger university, where �þ��s become independent thinkers and doers and develop a unique sense of community and belonging.

Nicholas Money working with a group of �þ��s in the woods.

B.A. in Individualized Studies

The B.A. in Individualized Studies offers �þ��s a more traditional liberal arts program of study that is highly integrated into the College of Arts and Science curriculum. The degree incorporates division requirements that offer a built-in path of exploration and provides a streamlined focused program of study. The B.A. is the perfect major to compliment your humanities, language, and social science interests.

Collage of memorabilia from the 50th anniversary celebration in 2024.

B.Phil. in Individualized Studies

The B.Phil. in Individualized Studies offers �þ��s a novel, highly self-directed degree program that suits intentional learners. It provides �þ��s broadly flexible options with a greater emphasis on individual coursework and upper-level classes. The BPhil is the perfect major to compliment your creative, professional, and technological interests.

Individualized Studies Minor

The Minor in Individualized Studies is available to �þ��s in all majors and is designed to broaden their educational experience and widen professional opportunities. Plan of study for each �þ�� must be approved by Western Program advisor.

Western Center

The Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation is housed in Room 022 of Peabody Hall, located on Miami’s bucolic Western Campus. The Center provides a space for Western and other Miami �þ��s to collaborate, relax, and socialize. Weekly and seasonal events, like Pancake Breakfast and our annual pumpkin carving, provide opportunities for �þ��s to develop a sense of community and become part of living-learning communities. Additionally, the Center sponsors intellectual and community events such as Westfest, a yearly festival open to all Miami �þ��s and community members, and speaker series like the annual Western College Legacy Seminar, which provide connection to wider Miami community and highlights the Center’s social and intellectual mission. Programming and activities honor the rich history of social activism and community engagement on the Western campus and work to imbue today’s �þ��s with a sense of social responsibility.

Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation

The Western Advantage

Miami’s Western Program promotes critical and independent thinking and equips �þ��s with the skills and perspectives to tackle today’s complex global challenges. Faculty are trained in interdisciplinary fields and they draw from humanities, sciences, arts, social sciences, and professional programs in their teaching. Along with the rest of the team, they are dedicated mentors who strive to get to know �þ��s, as intellectuals and as people.

The program and center are located in historic Peabody Hall, where �þ��s and faculty work together as members of vibrant, diverse, and motivated cohort. The Western Program values creativity, risk-taking, global perspectives, co-curricular and community-engaged learning, and active citizenship. It makes a great home for adventurous, independent thinkers who desire to build their own bridge from college to career. See the link below for some of the innovative research projects Western �þ��s have undertaken in recent years.

Senior Projects

A Western Student speaking at graduation

"The Western Program at Miami provides self-directed �þ��s the opportunity to create unique, interdisciplinary degrees that suit their specific interests and passions. An individualized plan of study allows them the autonomy to design their own intellectual path while also engaging them with core classes focused on critical thinking, global perspectives, and skill development. Small class sizes and attentive, flexible faculty mentors provide a unique learning environment and foster a sense of community that encourage �þ��s to thrive. Western �þ��s do not just cross a bridge from college to career; they build that bridge. And along the way they develop a toolbox that they will use for the rest of their lives."

Andrew Busch, Director

Advising

Zackary Hill, Coordinator and Advisor of the Individualized Studies (Western Program), has ten years of experience in academia as either an instructor or an advisor. For further information about Individualized Studies, please contact:

Zackary Hill
Coordinator and Advisor, Individualized Studies (Western Program)
114 Peabody Hall
(513) 529-3796
hillzd@MiamiOH.edu

Arts and Science Academic Advising can also help with:

Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
Course Selection
Career Decision Making

Alumni

“Western alumni are engaged, civically-minded people who remain passionate about Western and its mission. We love to hear from you and seek to honor your legacy by using Western’s past to shape its future. Please contact me to discuss Western anytime.” - Andrew Busch, Ph.D., Director

Support and Engage with Western

Continuing the rich tradition of The Western College for Women and the Western College Program, the Individualized Studies Program functions at the forefront of academic innovation and community-building with �þ��s of diverse interests and backgrounds. In a time when interdisciplinarity has been adopted University wide, the Individualized Studies Program continues to push the boundaries of traditional academic programs. The Program remains fully committed to nurturing �þ��-driven majors reflecting the needs and passions of �þ��s that are not met by more traditional majors. And, the Individualized Studies Program creates and supports a community of these �þ��s and committed professors that celebrate and promote the diversity that the Program attracts.

Engagement

The Individualized Studies Program also seeks engagement by friends, alumni, parents, and others through various forms of interaction and participation. The (WAAMU) provides many different ways to support the program and to engage with the larger Western community. To learn more about ways to support the program through engagement, please visit the WAAMU group website

Designated Gifts

scholarships for incoming Western �þ��s (5860-001)
unrestricted — current program needs (5593-001)
Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation (5577-001)
senior projects (2969-001)

Over 150 Years of Tradition…

1853

The Western Female Seminary, founded in 1853, was modeled on the College of Mount Holyoke. Classes began two years later with Helen Peabody, a Mount Holyoke graduate, as principal. The seminary was supported by Oxford's Presbyterian church and provided religious practice and low-cost, high-quality, undergraduate education for women.

1894-1904

Western hired Wellesley graduate Leila McKee to be its new principal in 1888 and moved towards accreditation. From 1894 to 1904, the college was called The Western: A College and Seminary for Women. In 1904, the name was changed to The Western College for Women to reflect its status as a liberal arts institution.

1954

President Herrick Young brought an international focus to the curriculum in 1954. Under his leadership, Western recruited many international �þ��s and faculty, offered international travel seminars for its �þ��s, and emphasized global awareness and cultural studies in its courses.

1964

In 1964, volunteers for the Civil Rights initiative known as Freedom Summer trained on the campus of the Western College for Women. College �þ��s from across the country were recruited by the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, Congress of Racial Equality and other organizations to go to Mississippi to teach in Freedom Schools, build community centers, and register African-Americans to vote. Approximately 800 �þ��s trained at Western; three of these �þ��s were murdered for their activism. The Freedom Summer Memorial, adjacent to Kumler Chapel, commemorates the courage and commitment of all Freedom Summer volunteers.

1970

In 1970, Western initiated another curricular innovation by implementing an interdisciplinary approach to education called "Freedom with Responsibility." Men were admitted in 1971.

1974

Western merged with �þ�� in 1974 and became a nationally known leader in the field of interdisciplinary education. In its new institutional home in the College of Arts and Science, the Western Program continues to draw inspiration from its predecessors, aiming to honor the intellectual legacies of Western College and the Western College Program, and to build a diverse community of learners from around the university.

Western's Historic Campus

Peabody Hall is the traditional home of the Western Program. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, Peabody is a living-learning residence hall that also includes faculty offices, classrooms, learning resource centers, and a theater/lecture hall.

"New Hall" was dedicated in 1904 during Western's commencement activities. This residence hall was renamed to McKee Hall in 1917 to honor Leila S. McKee, president emerita and trustee of the college.

In 1924 construction began on another residence hall. Ten years later the trustees named this dormitory Mary Lyon Hall to recognize Western's relationship with Mount Holyoke and to honor its founder.