Contract Major

Contract Major

A contract major is a coherent program of studies leading to a B.A. or B.S. degree, proposed by a student in consultation with a faculty adviser. The program must fulfill general education and other university-wide degree requirements including a major comprising a minimum of 36 credits (at 200 level and above)  related to a specialized topic, theme or area of concentration. Credits in the major may be drawn from the course offerings of one or more academic departments and at least half of them must be taken at Western Connecticut State University. The contract must be approved by the chairs of the departments from which nine or more credits are taken, by the Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards, and by the Provost.  Following these approvals the student files a Change of Major request with the Registrar.

Proposals are normally presented before the completion of 75 credits. They must exhibit academic integrity and rigor. Therefore, students are cautioned that the later a proposal is presented, the greater the chance that more than the minimum number of credits for the bachelor's degree will be required to complete the contract major. The student applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 overall and 2.5 in all Major courses. Inclusion of a senior thesis or project is strongly advised.

The intent of the contract major is to allow students whose academic interests extend beyond existing majors sufficient flexibility to design a program of studies appropriate to their academic goals.

Departments and faculty advisers in fields related to the student's interests may provide guidance on developing the proposal.

Applications are due by MARCH 1 to enter in the Fall Semester and OCTOBER 1 to enter in the Spring Semester.  Late applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

International students who are already studying in the US should apply as transfer students. Graduate students should follow the instructions for graduate admissions. To apply, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. Online application

1. Medical forms
2. Personal Essay explaining your reasons for seeking admission OR on a topic of your choice

1. Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers or employers – OPTIONAL

1. Official Test Scores.  All applicants, including those from English-speaking countries, must show proof of proficiency in English by taking one of the following tests.  We recommend that native English speakers take the SAT or ACT and non-native speakers take the TOEFL or IELTS.  The accepted tests and the required minimum scores are as follows:
   • SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test): Applicants must score at least a 510 on the Critical Reading (CR) and a 510 on the Writing (W) sections.
   • ACT: (American College Test):
     Applicants must score a 21 on the English and a 21 on the optional Writing sections.
   • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): There are three different formats.  The required score depends on the format you take.  Applicants must score a 79 on the Internet Based Test (IBT), a 213 on the Computer Based Test (CBT) or a 550 on the paper based test (PB)
   • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Applicants must score at least a 6.
   • MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Applicants must score at least a 77.

1. High School and University Diplomas and Transcripts with Foreign Credit Evaluation Students must submit their high school diploma, high school transcript, and university transcript (if the student has prior college coursework).  If you attended high school or college outside of the U.S, your documents MUST be evaluated by one of the following agencies or through opens in a new windowSpanTran.  Students with no prior college coursework may submit a document by document evaluation.  Students who have taken university courses must submit a course by course transcript evaluation of all courses taken abroad.

1. Affidavit of Support opens in a new window(Download the 2021-2022 form)opens PDF file  Students must show proof of adequate financial support to pay for their tuition and living expenses while in the U.S.  Applicants should have the affidavit form signed by a bank representative in their country and must submit ORIGINAL bank statements, dated no more than 6 months before their anticipated start date, showing the required amount of support.

1. $50 Non-Refundable Application Fee The fee can paid by Check or Money Order in US Dollars and sent to Office of University Admissions Western Connecticut State University 181 White Street Danbury, CT 06810 Applicants may also pay by credit card by submitting a credit card authorization formopens PDF file .  DO NOT SEND CASH.

1. ACCEPTED STUDENTS ALREADY IN THE U.S. (TRANSFER STUDENTS):
   If you already have valid F-1 student status by being enrolled at another school, college or university in the United States, you will have to complete a required Transfer Verification Form. Once this is done and you confirm this with our International Services Coordinator, the international student advisor at your current school will need to release your SEVIS record to WCSU. Your new WCSU I-20, endorsed for pending transfer, is mailed to you as soon as the release date for your SEVIS record (as determined by your previous school) is reached. Once you are enrolled at WCSU and we have confirmed your registration, the transfer process will be completed. If you are in initial F-1 status, a new I-20 will be issued to you. You must report to the International Services Office within 15 days of your arrival.