Program Overview

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Introduction to the Individualized Studies Major

The Individualized Studies major at Plattsburgh State University of New York is designed for students whose academic interests are cross-disciplinary, do not fit within traditional disciplines, or whose career and professional goals cannot be met by existing programs at Plattsburgh. With the help of a faculty advisor, this option allows students to design a major degree program that meets their needs and interests.

What Will I Learn?

If your interests cut across traditional disciplines or departments, or your career or professional goals cannot be met by other programs at Plattsburgh, the individualized studies major can help meet your needs. You can create your own major with the help of a faculty adviser.

What is Unique About Our Program?

Choose a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree

A bachelor of arts degree must include a minimum of 90 credit hours in liberal arts courses; a bachelor of science degree must include a minimum of 60 credit hours in liberal arts courses. Both options require completion of SUNY Plattsburghs General Education Program, 42 credits of courses at the 300400 level, and 120 total credits. Both options require 13 credits of intensive writing through the INT 402 course, in addition to completion of an advanced writing course in a minor or concentration (or ENG 301 or other approved AWR course).

Program Requirements

Curriculum 0360/0450

The major in Individualized Studies is designed for students whose academic interests are cross-disciplinary, do not fit within traditional disciplines, or whose career and professional goals cannot be met by existing programs at Plattsburgh. With the help of a faculty advisor, this option allows students to design a major degree program that meets their needs and interests.

Additional Degree Requirements

1. Completion of all Undergraduate Degree Requirements, including General Education: The Cardinal Core Curriculum, elective courses if applicable, and a total of 120 credits minimum.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in Major Departmental Requirements.

Major Departmental Requirements 37-81 Credits

There are two Study Options, Contractual and General.

• The Individualized Studies, Contractual major requires a contracted program of study to be integrated with a capstone experience.
  • In consultation with an academic advisor, students select minor, concentration(s), and/or focus areas from any undergraduate program of study at SUNY Plattsburgh.
  • A minor is an approved program of study and completion of a minor is noted on the transcript.
  • A concentration is a minimum of 18 credits in one discipline (courses with the same prefix).
  • A focus area requires completion of courses with the same prefix, or related prefixes.
  • Students are encouraged to pursue a focus area in depth, and to integrate focus areas from related programs of study.
  • Students are encouraged to complete an internship or other appropriate experience in their minor area.
  • The proposed curriculum for the program must be approved by the Individualized Studies Committee.
  • The title of the degree program can be proposed by the student with approval of the Individualized Studies Committee.
• The General Studies option is developed with a faculty advisor and may be selected at any time in the student's course of study.
  • It requires the approval of the Director for the Center of Interdisciplinary and Area Studies and the appropriate Dean.

Option 1: Contractual Studies (Curr 0360) 34-75 cr.

• Minor/Concentration 18-24 cr.
• Minor/Focus Area 12-24 cr.
• Concentration/Cognates 0-18 cr.
• Approved AWR Course 3 cr.
• Capstone Experience 0-3 cr.
• INT 402 - Integrative Writing (1 to 3 cr.)

Option 2: General Studies (Curr 0450) 49-63 cr.

• Minor or Concentration 18-24 cr.
• Focus Area I or Second Minor 15-18 cr.
• Focus Area II 12-15 cr.
• Approved AWR Course 3 cr.
• INT 402 - Integrative Writing (1 to 3 cr.)

Additional Programs in Interdisciplinary Studies

• Africana Studies Minor
• Food and Farming Minor
• Individualized Studies Minor
• Jewish Studies Minor
• Legal Studies Minor

Center for Interdisciplinary & Area Studies

Take a Multi-disciplinary Approach to Learning

Complement your major with minors in Africana studies, Asian studies, Canadian studies, Jewish studies, legal studies or Qu嶵ec studies. Learn to think independently and critically from a range of perspectives as you work with faculty and departments across campus.