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Independent Concentrations

Even though Brown offers nearly 80 undergraduate concentrations, students still have the option of creating and designing their own. Independent concentrations—usually focusing on a broad problem, theme, or question, rather than a discipline— must be sponsored by at least one faculty member and reviewed and approved by the College Curriculum Council.

Students interested in pursuing an independent concentration must submit a proposal prior to the end of their sixth semester. To do so, they must work closely with a faculty advisor to ensure that their ideas are developed properly. Preparing, revising, and approving an independent concentration is a process that requires several months.

Concentration proposals must include a signed statement from a member of the University faculty above the level of instructor in support of the proposal (Emeriti faculty, adjunct instructors, and visiting lecturers are ineligible to serve as Independent Concentration Faculty Advisors). The statement must demonstrate support for the concentration and indicate the faculty member's commitment to serve as the student's primary advisor. Please see the "IC Faculty Advisor Info Sheet" on the CRC website.

For a complete description of the Independent Concentration proposal and the approval process, please download the Independent Concentration program guide on this page. Students are also encouraged to contact the IC Coordinator, or Dean Besenia Rodriguez.