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Individualized BA Degree

The Individualized Bachelor of Arts degree reflects the original mission of Metropolitan State University - to give students primary authority over and responsibility for their educations. With guidance from faculty in our entry course PRSP 301 Perspectives: Educational Philosophy & Planning, students design their own course of study towards the completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts. Students design their own "focus," which is often interdisciplinary, and typically involves subject areas from across the entire knowledge tradition. In addition to traditional classroom learning, students also use a variety of learning strategies such as student-directed learning (credit for prior learning or independent study) theory seminars, and internships. Examples of programs students have designed include: combining subjects from two different colleges such as political science and business administration, or focusing on broad general themes through the perspective of a variety of subject areas, such as the environmental movement, international development and Third World tourism, or community development. Students are assigned academic advisors who assist them in their progress toward completion of the degree. For more information, contact Jane.Krueger@metrostate.edu or 651-793-1783.

Acceptance to the Program

To be eligible for acceptance to the Individualized Studies major, students must submit a College of Individualized Studies Undergraduate Program Declaration Form. This form is normally submitted while taking PRSP 301, Perspectives: Educational Philosophy and Planning, but can be done prior to taking the course.

Students are considered Pre-Individualized majors before completion of PRSP 301 with their approved degree plan.

University Graduation Requirements

To earn an individualized BA degree, students must complete a total of 120 credits, including the following university graduation requirements:

Individualized Program Requirements

Students completing an individualized degree must also compete the following:

Overlap

Requirements can overlap, for example, the 20 College of Individualized Studies residency requirements also meet the university residency requirements and courses in the focus area might also meet GELS Requirements.

Focus

In PRSP 301 Perspectives: Educational Philosophy and Planning, students design individualized focus areas that address their educational goals. The focus can include transferred credits, including up to 80 technical college transfer credits, and GELS classes. We encourage students to design their degree programs within a broad framework that embraces these competence areas: communication, math/science & the natural world, vocation, avocation, humanities, community (including global citizenship and multicultural perspectives), and lifelong learning.

Creative Learning Strategies

Our students are encouraged to include a variety of learning strategies in their programs: independent studies, internships, theory seminars, and student-directed learning (which includes student-designed independent study and credit for experiential learning). The individualized BA is also available as a degree-at-a-distance.

Core Courses for Individualized BA Degree Program

To support students in developing individualized degree programs that put their educations in service of their life goals, we require two courses:

Courses and Workshops for All Students

We also offer a variety of interdisciplinary courses and workshops for all students, especially those who want to use learning gained via experience toward college credit, or want to include interdisciplinary studies in their degree programs.

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