Request Info > Apply > Visit Us >

Individualized Majoronline or on-campus

Are you highly motivated?

Watch the video about designing your own major, 1 minute longWith our Individualized Major, you’ll mold classes from our existing programs along with internship options into a one-of-a-kind degree that fulfills your own personal vision.

Some Individualized Majors our students have designed include:

  • Consciousness-Based Community Development
  • Agro-ecology & Sustainability
  • Creativity for Social Change

You can also blend majors together to graduate sooner by focusing specifically on your area of interest. You’ll be guided through the creation process of your major by an academic advisor who will help you every step of the way.


How it works

After you enroll at MIU you create a written proposal summarizing your proposed major and its set of courses. Courses in the Individualized Major are flexible as you progress, allowing your degree to grow with your vision. Students with a large number of transfer credits can be fast-tracked into the Individualized Major soon after arrival on campus.

Get started by contacting Adriene

Adriene Crimson, admissions counselorAdriene Crimson is this program’s admissions counselor for US students. Adriene will provide you with all the details of becoming a student, including connecting you with program faculty when you have questions.

Contact Adriene >

Contact Adriene >

International applicants may connect with us through our international inquiry form.


See how it all connects

Art faculty mentoring studentAt the end of your program, you’ll prepare a senior thesis tying together what you’ve learned. Through our unique system of Consciousness-Based education, you’ll connect at the deepest level everything you’ve learned and see how it fits into your own life.

Our close-knit campus and online community will support your personal and academic growth, providing a positive, encouraging environment where you can become your best self.

Transcendental Meditation

students meditating in a classroom

All MIU students practice the Transcendental Meditation® technique daily. This effortless, evidence-based technique has been found to enhance practical intelligence and creativity, promote clear, insightful thinking, and greatly reduce stress. Learn more ➤

Featured faculty

Cathy Gorini

Catherine Gorini

Cathy Gorini

Catherine Gorini is Director of the Individualized Major and Professor of Mathematics. She received an Award for Outstanding College Teaching from the Mathematical Association of America in 2001. Her research interests include Maharishi’s Vedic Mathematics; using the Transcendental Meditation® technique in the teaching of mathematics; geometry and symmetry; undergraduate mathematics education; using Geometer’s Sketchpad to study Euclidean geometry or analytic geometry; using JavaSketchpad to create interactive geometry web pages. Cathy received her MA and PhD from the University of Virginia and did her undergraduate work in mathematics at Cornell University.

Featured Alum

aditi-16-14
aditi-16-14

“Instead of molding myself into a major, I wanted to create a major that expresses who I am. I’m able to pick courses that are immediately applicable, so I can start using what I learned immediately. I really appreciate that.”

— Aditi Gentsch
Individualized Major

Cost & Aid, 2024-25

    US On-Campus Undergraduate

    This estimate is based on one year for a typical on-campus Federal Pell Grant recipient (represents 80% of our onsite undergraduates). File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then contact our financial aid office for questions on variables.

    Annual Cost and Typical Financial Aid
    Tuition and fees$16,530
    Housing (single room) and meals*$7,400
    Grants and Scholarship (typical)-$14,400
    Net cost per year$9,530
    Federal student loans-$9,530
    Your payment$0

    *Applicable only to students living on campus

    Additional Financial Aid Information

    $2,400 Federal Work Study is available toward your estimated $4,800 out of pocket costs.
    Scholarship from MIU described above consists of the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Education Grant and is based on (1) full-time enrollment and (2) financial need based on expected FAFSA outcome.
    Repayment begins after your enrollment ends. Unique repayment plans are available such as income-based, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and deferments based on low income or unemployment.

    There are a variety of money-saving tax benefits to assist in reducing the cost of education expenses. More about education tax benefits.
    Veterans should contact the VA for information on Veterans Education Benefits. Veterans eligible for BAH monthly benefits: The VA utilizes a scale of credits per block of courses; therefore, the VA sometimes pays part-time benefits for an individual month while the university delivers full-time federal aid for an entire semester. Our Veterans Certifying Official is our Director of Financial Aid.

    Loan Repayment Options

    Payments are a fixed amount that ensures your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).
    Payments may be fixed or graduated and will ensure that your loans are paid off within 25 years.
    Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, and are for an amount that will ensure your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).
    Your monthly payments will be either 10 or 15 percent of discretionary income (depending on when you received your first loans), but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan.
    Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. Any outstanding balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years.
    Your monthly payment is based on annual income, but your loan will be paid in full within 15 years.

    Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date. For more information, contact us at finaid@miu.edu for a quick reply — normally one business day — or see more about financial aid.

    US Online Undergraduate

    This estimate is based on one year for a typical online Federal Pell Grant recipient (represents 70% of our online undergraduates). File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then contact our financial aid office for questions on variables.

    Annual Cost and Typical Financial Aid
    Tuition and fees$16,190
    Grants and scholarship (typical)-$11,400
    Net cost per year$4,790
    Federal student loan-$4,790
    Your payment$0

    Part time online enrollment is available. Tuition is $600 per credit with normal load of 9-11 credits. Federal student loans are available and the federal Pell Grant is proportional to the credit load.

    Additional Financial Aid Information

    The grants and scholarship described above consist of the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Grant, and institutional scholarship based on (1) full-time enrollment and (2) financial need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
    Many companies offer tuition assistance programs to their employees. If you’re currently employed, we encourage you to check on this. If they offer assistance, please contact MIU’s Financial Aid office.
    Federal Student Loans have limits based on lifetime usage, annual limits, and limited to the educational costs for each semester. Here are the annual maximum limits:

    • $5,500 per year for first-year dependent
    • $6,500 per year for second-year dependent
    • $7,500 per year for third, fourth, fifth-year dependent
    • $9,500 per year for first-year independent
    • $10,500 per year for second-year independent
    • $12,500 per year for third, fourth, fifth-year independent
    Federal Student Loan Repayment is postponed as long as you are enrolled at least half-time each semester. If your enrollment drops below half-time, you have a six-month grace period before repayment begins. There are also postponements for low income and unemployment, as well as repayment based on income and Public Service Forgiveness.

    There are a variety of money-saving tax benefits to assist in reducing the cost of education expenses. More about education tax benefits.
    Veterans should contact the VA for information on Veterans Education Benefits. Veterans eligible for BAH monthly benefits: The VA utilizes a scale of credits per block of courses; therefore, the VA sometimes pays part-time benefits for an individual month while the university delivers full-time federal aid for an entire semester. Our Veterans Certifying Official is our Director of Financial Aid.

    Loan Repayment Options

    Payments are a fixed amount that ensures your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).
    Payments may be fixed or graduated and will ensure that your loans are paid off within 25 years.
    Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, and are for an amount that will ensure your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).
    Your monthly payments will be either 10 or 15 percent of discretionary income (depending on when you received your first loans), but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan.
    Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. Any outstanding balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years.
    Your monthly payment is based on annual income, but your loan will be paid in full within 15 years.

    Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date. For more information, contact us at finaid@miu.edu for a quick reply — normally one business day — or see more about financial aid.

    International On-Campus Undergraduate

    Annual Cost and Typical Financial Aid
    Tuition and fees$16,530
    Housing (single room) and meals$7,400
    Health insurance (estimate)$1,992
    Personal expenses, books, unexpected needs (estimate)$3,500
    Cost Per Year$29,422

    Full-time students may apply for up to $6,000 scholarship based on qualifying level of documented family income. Our undergraduate scholarship application form will be available upon application to the university.


    Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date.

    International Online Undergraduate

    Typically, online enrollment is two courses at a time (17 credits) or one course at a time (9-11 credits), per semester (two semesters per year).

    Tuition and Fees per Semester
    Full-time (12 or more credits)$8,095
    Fewer than 12 credits$600 per credit


    Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date.

Next Steps

request info

Get your questions answered
and download our free booklet.

Request info >
visit us

Sign up for one-on-one virtual visits,
Visitors Weekend, or Visitors Saturday.

Learn more >
apply to mum

Our next entries:
Aug 2024 and Feb 2025

Apply > Apply >
X

Follow MIU