A Synoptic Major is a course of study devised by an individual student in consultation with faculty advisors. Synoptic majors are typically interdisciplinary in nature. Students may elect to undertake a Minor course of study if they choose. Minor courses of study are offered by the departments of Anthropology, Art, Biology, Classics, Dance and Drama, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Literatures, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Studies, and Sociology. A Concentration is very similar to a minor, except that it is interdisciplinary in nature.
Most interdisciplinary programs offer a concentration, while a few offer a major only.
While faculty members and administrative officers stand ready to counsel students about degree requirements, the final responsibility for meeting degree requirements rests with each student. They must be in residence at Kenyon for at least two years, one of them the senior year, and must earn no fewer than 8 units of credit on a letter-grade basis at the College. This may include credit transferred to Kenyon from other institutions, International Baccalaureate credit, and advanced placement credit. However, only grades earned at Kenyon are computed in the student' s grade point average. Candidates for the degree must select courses in accordance with the College' s academic policies and regulations and must successfully complete a major course of study, including satisfactory completion of the Senior Exercise.