Individualized Studies
What is Individualized Studies?
Students who find that standard majors do not satisfy their intellectual interests should consider individualized studies programs. These self-designed majors offer opportunities for exceptional and self-motivated students to explore innovative and multidisciplinary fields of knowledge. Although the requirements for such majors vary from campus to campus, generally, the student is expected to design and propose a course of study to meets unique educational objectives that are not addressed by standard majors. This plan is then reviewed for approval by a faculty committee organized to supervise the student and to assess the student’s progress. The specific nature of such programs varies among institutions, as do the rules for obtaining approval to engage in such studies. The goal of individualized studies programs is to allow students to create their own learning goals and sets of courses. These programs often require independent reading and research projects. They may also require internships or engagement with outside organizations that further the educational interests of the student. A student must meet all of the normal expectations for a degree by way of distribution of lower and upper division courses and by way of required courses and electives.
Individualized studies majors are given many names within different institutions including individualized major, self-directed study and interdisciplinary study.
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What Kinds of Students Major in Individualized Studies?
Typical students in the individualized studies program are almost always high-achieving, highly motivated, self-starters, who have a serious educational goal in mind. They need to be able to initiate the process of deciding on an educational objective and a course of study designed to meet that objective. Advisors assist them, but it is assumed that individualized studies students take on the responsibility for making progress along an educational path that they design and implement. Normally, individualized studies programs of study require a student to integrate advanced knowledge from a wide range of disciplines and apply them to the construction of a coherent plan of study. Maintenance of an exceptionally high grade point average is usually required.
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What Courses Do Individualized Studies Majors Take?
The individualized studies student designs the course of study, so there is no single set of courses required. This is, in effect, an honors program that assumes the student will create a coherent learning plan from existing home campus courses, courses taken at other institutions, internships and service learning opportunities, independent studies and research projects. An interdisciplinary approach is required, otherwise a traditional major is recommended.
Students engaging in an individually designed major study program are not exempt from most campus graduation requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all other graduation requirements are met.
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What Types of Positions Do Individualized Studies Majors Take after College?
The manner in which a student selects and combines courses will dictate the fields that will be open to them upon graduation. In most instances individualized studies students use the individualized program to go on to graduate studies in a profession or in and academic discipline. If employment after graduation is important, however, the individualized program needs to be set up with this objective in mind.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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University Departments to Consider
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offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
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Two-Year College Curriculums
to Consider
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to campuses wishing to see their majors listed
on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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