BDIC Brochure

What is BDIC?

What is the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration or BDIC program at UMass Amherst?

Everybody knows you can't just fit a square peg into a round hose At UMass Amherst, we know that not every student “fits” easily into one academic major Sometimes students have strong interests and abilities in a variety of academic fields, or they envision careers that require preparation in two or more disciplines. For them, majoring in one area - or even double majoring - just won't work.

Does this sound like you? Through the BDIC Program, you can create your own customized major! With faculty guidance, you can design an individualized academic program of study leading to a BA or BS degree, depending on your field of study.

BDIC students select courses from two or more academic departments or schools within the university, and the other members of the Five-College Consortium (Hampshire, Smith, Mount Holyoke , and Amherst Colleges ). Independent study and/or internships are encouraged, as are study abroad and domestic exchange opportunities.

How To Apply?

Admission to BDIC is open to regularly enrolled UMass students, transfer students from other colleges, and those seeking a second bachelor's degree. All must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average and thirty credits.

Acceptance into the program is decided on the basis of a curriculum proposal in which the student outlines his or her course of study. Peer advisors are available to advise students and provide technical assistance in developing a proposal from draft form to the final document. Ultimately, the proposal must be reviewed by a peer advisor, endorsed by a faculty member who agrees to serve as a sponsor, and approved by a BDIC supervisor.

What Are the Requirements For a BDIC Major?

Please refer to the General Program information section.

How Do BDIC Alumni Fare in the "Real World"?

Graduates of the Program have been very successful in the employment sector and in graduate or professional school. Recent surveys of alumni continue to show that over 80% of those responding are in car eers or graduate school (or both) that are directly related to their individual concentrations. Such success stems from the high level of motivation and capacity for self-direction characteristic of students who design their own major, as well as the spe cificity of their academic preparation for a given career and/or graduate program of study.

As our alumni themselves have put it when describing the influence BDIC had on their careers:

"BDIC allowed me to pursue my career goals in the most efficient, unconstrained manner possible. An excellent program."

"It helped me to realize that I could think, plan and complete ideas and projects outside of traditional pathways."

"The integration of my academic studies and career-oriented practica allowed me to find out what I could do and what I liked to do."

"I learned to be independent while earning essentially a triple major in a set of subjects which prepared me well for an MBA...and, later, for my work."

"The setting of goals and career counseling in BDIC were very important to my development."

"My BDIC degree was instrumental in my being hired."

Students interested in the BDIC Program are encouraged to visit the office and consult a member of the advising staff. Those at a distance should feel free to call or write to BDIC.

BDIC Main Office

608 Goodell
413-545-2504
Office hours: 9-5 Mon-Fri
Summer hours: 8-4 Mon-Fri

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