# Independent Concentration
**Source**: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduateconcentrations/independent-concentration
**Parent**: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
The Independent Concentration program is for students interested in actively constructing an interdisciplinary concentration, representing a coherent field of study that Brown does not offer.
Degree Type
A.B., Sc.B.
department
[Independent Concentrations](https://crc.brown.edu/curricular-options/independent-concentrations)
[More Information](https://crc.brown.edu/curricular-options/independent-concentrations)
[All Programs](https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs)
CIP Code
30.0000ℹ
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.
[Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/eligible-cip-codes-for-the-stem-opt-extension)
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# Independent Concentration
The Independent Concentration program is for students interested in actively constructing an interdisciplinary concentration, representing a coherent field of study that Brown does not offer.
The Independent Concentration program is for students interested in actively constructing an interdisciplinary concentration, representing a coherent field of study that Brown does not offer and that cannot be studied cohesively within a standard concentration. Such fields may include emerging areas of study in the academy, such as "Disability Studies" or "Educational Neuroscience," and broader interdisciplinary areas, such as "Aesthetics," "Geography," or "Migration Studies." The proposal process consists of the following steps: (1) Meeting with the Curricular Resource Center's [IC Peer Coordinators or IC Dean](https://crc.brown.edu/curricular-options/independent-concentrations); (2) Completing a draft [IC Application](https://crc.brown.edu/curricular-options/independent-concentrations/develop-independent-concentration-proposal) and soliciting feedback from the Peer Coordinators; (3) Identifying an approved Faculty Sponsor (an advisor) and obtaining a letter of support; and (4) Submitting the application and letter of support by one of the six deadlines during the academic year. Independent Concentration proposals are reviewed and approved by the College Curriculum Council.
Once approved, all independent concentrators receive dedicated advising support from their IC Faculty Advisor and the IC Dean. Independent Concentrators must complete a senior capstone. Students interested in pursuing honors should read the [IC Honors Thesis Guidelines](https://crc.brown.edu/curricular-options/independent-concentrations/find-resources-current-icers).
- [List of requirements](https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/indp)
- [Honors website](https://crc.brown.edu/curricular-options/independent-concentrations/find-resources-current-icers)
## Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Design a curriculum around a broad problem or theme not covered in the Brown curriculum
- Collaborate closely with faculty sponsors
- Produce a significant piece of original research or creative work
## Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)
Student Leaders: Anita Zahiri, Sonam Shulman, Sydney Chon, Zoe Florida, Manan Pancholy, Kyla Zhang, Emily Lin
## Graduating Class
| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | 16 | 7 |
| 2022 | 21 | 7 |
| 2023 | 20 | 11 |
| 2024 | 18 | 5 |
| 2025 | 15 | 10 |
Alums who have created their unique concentration and academic pathway at Brown have gone on to pursue various endeavors, including startups, healthcare, architecture, finance, and social justice organizations. Alums have obtained PhDs in fields related to or adjacent to their IC, and several are their organizations' chief executive officers, financial officers, or presidents, continuing the entrepreneurial spirit that led them to create their concentrations.
What are Independent Concentration concentrators doing…
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.
- [Peggy Chang](mailto:Margaret_Chang@brown.edu)