Academic Services

Proposal Process

IIM Proposal Deadlines:
Fall 2024 — Friday, Oct. 18
Spring 2025 — Friday, March 14

A comprehensive guide to proposing an Independent Interdisciplinary Major can be found in the IIM Proposal Guide (pdf).

Getting Started

  1. Review our list of frequently asked questions.

  2. Print and read the IIM checklist (pdf).

  3. Schedule an appointment with the IIM Coordinator, by emailing iim@brandeis.edu or calling 781-736-3470. The Coordinator can help guide you through the IIM proposal process from start to finish.

  4. Approach faculty members about possibly serving as one of your three IIM advisors. Bring give them a copy of the Memo to Faculty Advisors (pdf), which explains the program and the faculty member's responsibilities as an advisor.

Submitting a Proposal

Complete proposals include:

  • IIM Application (pdf) (this includes a cover sheet and your proposed course curriculum),

  • a written proposal,

  • a signed letter of support from your faculty advisors, and

  • a copy of 3-4 comparable program descriptions from other colleges/universities

Proposals must be submitted via email to iim@brandeis.edu as a pdf document.

Review Process

IIM proposals are reviewed once each semester by the IIM subcommittee. The IIM subcommittee is made up of four faculty members, one from each of the four schools (Science, Humanities, Social Science and Creative Arts), the Senior Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences for Undergraduate Education and the IIM Coordinator in the Office of Academic Services. They meet once a semester to review students' proposals and make final approvals. The subcommittee pays careful attention to the interdisciplinary and liberal arts context of the IIM, the coherence of the set of classes and how the IIM fits into the student's overall academic plan.