While the educational goals of most students are adequately met by existing degree programs, those who can demonstrate that the usual requirements of conventional programs prevent them from adequately meeting their goals may apply. An important standard for admission to the Bachelor of Philosophy degree program will be the ability of students to demonstrate that their stated goals are viable and worthy of a college degree.

The faculty mentor is responsible for assisting the student in planning the program and in achieving the proposed goals. The mentor must be able to certify to the Bachelor of Philosophy Degree Committee that the student has achieved the stated goals. The basis of this certification might be a comprehensive examination (written or oral), a written report, a public seminar or performance, or the presentation of a paper to a national meeting of a professional society, etc. A faculty member may serve as mentor for only one student at any given time.

The program is administered by an intercollege committee under the Office of the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education. The Bachelor of Philosophy Degree Committee is responsible for selecting the students and their faculty mentors for the program, annually examining the progress of all students in the program, and approving the completion of the degree based on the certification made by the faculty mentor.