A new way to build a degree: Miami launches Bachelor of Philosophy in Individualized Studies
'Western ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs don’t just cross a bridge from college to career. They build that bridge'
A new way to build a degree: Miami launches Bachelor of Philosophy in Individualized Studies
'Western ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs don’t just cross a bridge from college to career. They build that bridge'
From climate change to AI, today’s challenges are too complex to be solved within the boundaries of a single discipline. They require new kinds of critical and independent thinkers. Those who can bridge fields, adapt quickly and approach problems from multiple perspectives.
Connecting ideas in innovative and adventurous ways that reflect the demands of today’s workforce is exactly what ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ’s Western Program in Individualized Studies is designed to do.
This fall, the program will reintroduce a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) in Individualized Studies, which will further expand opportunities for ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs to design their own interdisciplinary degree program.
Recently approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the new degree builds on the existing Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Individualized Studies while offering an even more flexible option for ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs interested in creating academic pathways that span the humanities, sciences, arts, and social sciences.
Despite its name, the Bachelor of Philosophy is not a traditional philosophy degree.
Rather, it is a distinct designation that reflects a more self-directed, inquiry-driven approach to learning and sets it apart from the existing BA, which follows a more traditional liberal arts structure.
“Many of the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs we attract have very particular interests that are not fully fulfilled by a specific degree program,” said Andrew Busch, director of the Western Program in Individualized Studies. “They want to do a research project that doesn't quite exist elsewhere, and we have a history of being a forerunner to new programs.
“It also makes a great additive degree that separates ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs from others in their major — by providing them an opportunity to address complex, real world problems via a highly interdisciplinary original research project that combines perspectives from several disciplines—which makes them more competitive.”
While the Bachelor of Philosophy offers greater flexibility, both individualized degree options still maintain the same level of academic rigor.
Each is grounded in a shared interdisciplinary core that includes 19 credit hours of coursework. Students then shape the individualized portion of the major in close collaboration with faculty and staff advisors by selecting courses from across the university, which can also include study abroad, independent study and internship experiences.
“Western's distinctive flavor, the passion and enthusiasm of its ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs, and their unique problem-solving spirit make the Western Program one of Miami's greatest hidden gems,” said Renée Baernstein, dean of the College of Arts and Science. “Whether completing a BA or a B.Phil., majors in Individualized Studies bring creativity and analytical skills to the world. We are all better off for their presence.”
The Bachelor of Philosophy builds on the Western Program's rich history.
“I was very excited to become director of the Western Program and Center before I arrived,” Busch said. “My excitement only grew when I learned about the program's legacy, as the Western College for Women and as the Western College Program and School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the unique history of the B.Phil. In all its iterations, Western has produced rigorous, creative thinkers who have made a difference in diverse professions around the world. Bringing back the B.Phil. honors this legacy and offers Miami ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs a chance to connect to Western's history.”
Individualized Studies BA graduates have gone on to careers in law, medicine, government and public service, including roles as advisors to presidents and ambassadors. Others have pursued careers in business, environmental work and education, and often use their interdisciplinary background as a competitive advantage by leveraging independent inquiry, creativity and the ability to connect ideas across fields.
The Bachelor of Philosophy in Individualized Studies degree will be available beginning in fall 2026.
“Nationally, the Bachelor of Philosophy degree denotes an academically rigorous, individually designed course of study that prepares ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs for a lifetime of success,” Baernstein said. “For more than four decades, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs in Miami's School of Individualized Studies (the Western College Program) proudly earned this degree. I'm thrilled that the Western ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs of today will have the chance to follow in their footsteps.”
And as an addition being offered alongside the existing BA, the Bachelor of Philosophy serves as a natural extension of the program’s strengths, while building on the foundation of the Western tradition by continuing to emphasize the critical importance of independent inquiry and adventurous interdisciplinary thinking.
“Western ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs don’t just cross a bridge from college to career. They build that bridge,” Busch said. “And along the way, they develop a toolbox they’ll use for the rest of their lives.”