Program II

Trinity College of Arts and Sciences offers Program II as an opportunity for students to create individualized degree programs that are not available through Program I.   Although Program II is structured similarly to Program I in that both depth and breadth of study are emphasized, Program II allows students to pursue focused academic interests that may not be achieved through a major(s) in Program I, or that may necessitate interdisciplinary work.

In order for students to participate in Program II, students and a program advisor must design and submit a detailed curriculum outlining a proposed course of study.   The application process must also include a letter of support from the program advisor and a personal statement that clearly articulates the student's interests and academic pursuits.   Each proposal is reviewed by the Program II committee, which includes an academic dean, a student representative, and three faculty members. It is not uncommon for proposals to be rejected upon their first submission, but accepted after suggested revisions made.

Program II may lead to graduation in either A.B or B.S. programs and are eligible for graduation with distinction.   With pre-approval, course work completed while studying abroad, through Inter-Institutional Agreement, or through other accredited U.S Universities may count towards a Program II.  

If a student is interested in Program II, it is important that they attend one of the four yearly meetings held by Dr. Norman C. Keul's office (Directory of Program II: Associate Dean for Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies) and also visit the Program II website (http://www.aas.duke.edu/trinity/program2/).

Program II is different than International Comparative Studies (http://www.jhfc.duke.edu/ics/) in that the latter allows students to concentrate their interdisciplinary studies primarily based on geographic locations rather than a core topic that is independent of geographic location.