20 Ruttan Hall (formerly Classroom Office Bldg.) 1994 Buford Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108 www.cce.umn.edu/Inter-College-Program Appointments: (612) 624-4000 Fax: (612) 625-2402

Program Overview College of Continuing Education/Inter-College Program Major The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus is home to 19 degree-granting colleges and schools, 12 of which offer undergraduate degrees. Among them, the College of Continuing Education (CCE) is home to two individually-designed undergraduate degree options, including the Inter-College Program (ICP). The Inter-College Program, which has been in existence since 1930, offers individually-designed B.A. / B.S. degrees that draw on coursework from at least two separate University of Minnesota colleges or schools. ICP Student Profile Typically, students admitted to ICP are in their sophomore or junior years, are enrolled full-time, and are able to attend on-campus, day or evening classes. Prospective Inter-College Program students work with an ICP adviser to discuss interests and educational/post-graduate goals. They then use that information to explore curricular options. If ICP is a good match, the student will continue to meet with his/her ICP adviser to develop a course plan and major proposal. Most ICP students develop course plans with two or three departmental areas of study. ICP Proposal Development Development of the proposal requires consistent consultation with an ICP adviser and, occasionally, faculty/departmental advisers. Through these adviser meetings, students are coached through the process of crafting a plan that articulates a history of their interests and goals as well as developing a coherent course of study. The timeline for this process is one semester. When a finished ICP proposal is in place and related prerequisite coursework is complete, the proposal is submitted to faculty/departmental advisers in the student’s areas of interests for final approval. With final approval, the student transitions from ICP degree planning status to ICP major status.

ICP Admissions Prerequisites

Following attendance at an ICP information session, students schedule an appointment with an ICP adviser. Through a review of the student’s educational history and academic interests, the ICP adviser will determine if the student is ready for admission to ICP. Strongly preferred benchmarks include: • favorable performance in areas relevant to their academic interests • a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 • completion of 50 transferrable semester credits of coursework • and a demonstrated ability and willingness to work through the proposal writing process. If admissible, the ICP adviser will assist the student with College of Continuing Education (CCE) admissions paperwork. Both the adviser and student will complete an Admissions Agreement that outlines a schedule for completion of the ICP proposal. The timeline for admission to CCE/ICP for admitted UM students is at least one week prior to the start of each semester. Admission for students not currently admitted will require no less than six weeks prior to the start of the term.

ICP Degree Planning Status

In accordance with the Admissions Agreement schedule, students will work to complete a proposal that provides a history of their interests, goals, and planned course of study. • Typically, the student will need four ICP adviser meetings, and in some cases, faculty/departmental

adviser meetings to select coursework and craft the proposal. • A timeline of one semester is needed. • On average, the finished proposal is 8 – 10 double-spaced pages in length. • When the ICP adviser determines that the proposal is ready for departmental review, s/he will

explain the program approval form and the final approval process. • The student will schedule meetings with faculty/departmental advisers for final review of the

proposal. These advisers have greater familiarity with their department’s curriculum and may suggest text edits or changes to the proposed course list. Suggested changes must be incorporated into the proposal. And, until a student's program has been officially approved by the faculty/departmental adviser, it remains provisional and only proposed.

ICP Major Status

• When all faculty/departmental advisers have signed the program approval form, the student returns all related paperwork to the ICP adviser.

• ICP notifies the student via letter of the transition to ICP major status. • The ICP adviser and student will meet as needed throughout the student’s ICP academic career. • Major status is required for students to be eligible to apply for CCE grants and scholarships (except

for students with a two-year gap in their studies) and for degree clearance.

Options for Completing the ICP Major

The ICP Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) includes significant coursework in the liberal arts, such as that found in arts and humanities and the social sciences. The B.A. also requires completion of second language studies, which can be satisfied with the completion of one of two options:

• four semesters of a single language, or • two semesters of a single second language and at least eight credits of coursework that focuses on

cultural, historical, or political aspects of any country/region associated with that language.

The ICP Bachelor of Science (B.S.) includes coursework in the physical or biological sciences, has significant quantitative or investigative tools/methods expectations, or has a pronounced applied/professional component such as that found in public health, education, business, and social work.

The ICP major requires completion of the following: • 24 semester credits completed after admission to ICP • 30 University of Minnesota semester credits • 50 upper division semester credits (3000-5000 level courses), half of which must be UMTC credits • A minimum of 120 semester credits • an upper-division writing intensive course within the ICP major coursework • all ICP major courses taken on an A/F grade basis with a final grade of C- or better in each course • a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) in: all U of M courses, all upper division courses, and in each

ICP area of study or theme. • the ICP Oral Communication Requirement. Students may choose from: ABUS 4023W, COMM

1101, COMM 1313W, COMM 3411, COMM 3605W, MGMT 3033W, PSTL 1461, or WRIT 3257.

**All U of MN undergraduate degree candidates must satisfy the University’s graduation requirements. A full listing of these requirements can be viewed at: http://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/DEGREEREQUIREMENT.html

TWO AREA For the B.S., supporting coursework must relate to Areas 1 or 2.

The same restriction does not apply to B.A. electives. B.A. B.S.

Area/Dept 1 20 upper division credits Area/Dept 2 20 upper division credits Electives 10 upper division credits

Area/Dept 1 21 upper division credits Area/Dept 2 21 upper division credits Supporting 8 upper division credits

THREE AREA For both the B.A. and B.S., Area 1 represents the student’s primary interest.

B.A. B.S. Area/Dept 1 20 upper division credits Area/Dept 2 12 upper division credits Area/Dept 3 12 upper division credits Electives 6 upper division credits

Area/Dept 1 20 upper division credits Area/Dept 2 15 upper division credits Area/Dept 3 15 upper division credits

THEMATIC

A central idea unites coursework drawn from three or more areas and two colleges. This option is for students whose interests cannot be captured in a two or three area ICP degree. An ICP Health & Wellness Thematic B.S. is also available.

B.A. B.S. 40 upper division credits in ICP major (w/12-20 credits from one department) 10 upper division electives

50 upper division credits in ICP major (w/ 12-20 credits from one department)

Resources

Undergraduate Catalog – www.catalogs.umn.edu/ug This catalog lists all colleges with their associated majors and minors, as well as course descriptions and prerequisites. Financial Aid – www.cce.umn.edu/Information-Center/Financial-Aid The Financial Resources Wizard is a unique interactive tool that allows students to determine all resources available to meet educational expenses Career and Internship Services - www.careerhelp.umn.edu This link offers a presentation on how to marketing an individualized degree. https://umconnect.umn.edu/idp. Admitted ICP students have access to career services including individual counseling, workshops, online resources and campus fairs.

University of Minnesota Liberal Education Requirements Reference this link for full information on the University’s liberal education requirements: http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Registration/Additional_Registration_Information/Registering_for_Courses/Liberal_Education_Requirements.html

USelect - www.transfer.org/uselect This site allows students to determine if and how credits will transfer to the University of Minnesota. Questions may also be directed to the University’s Admissions Office at: (612) 625-2008. Transfer Admissions – www.admissions.tc.umn.edu Visit the University’s Transfer Admissions Office or website for transfer application details.

How to Take Credit Courses – www.cce.umn.edu/Information-Center/Get-Started/How-To-Take-Credit-Courses/ The College of Continuing Education’s How to Take Credit Courses is a 10-minute online presentation that provides essential information about University registration for non-admitted students. Other U of MN Individualized Degrees

College of Continuing Education (CCE) http://www.cce.umn.edu/degrees/

Offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees

College of Liberal Arts (CLA)

http://idp.class.umn.edu/ B.A. degrees ONLY (second language), both B.I.S./I.D.I.M.

require approved proposal/course plan, designed for full-time U of MN students who are able to attend courses on campus

Bachelor of Individualized Studies (B.I.S.) 3 areas of study, maximum of 21 semester credits outside CLA, final analytic paper required

Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) 3-5 areas of study, discipline-based, designed for working adults who have a 2-year gap in studies, 50 credits completed/2.5 GPA, part-time, need evening/online courses, semester-long course to develop proposal/course plan, flexible structure, requires motivation

Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (I.D.I.M.) 3-4 areas of study, all w/in CLA, unifying theme, required senior project

Preparing for an ICP Advising Session

To continue exploring your interest in ICP, please complete and submit the ICP First Advising Appointment form online at: www.cce.umn.edu/firstadvisingform Or you may complete the print copy of this form (included in your packet) and submit it to CCE using the contact information on the form. Please call the CCE Information Center at 612-624-4000 to set up your ICP first advising appointment once that form, and any necessary transcripts, have been submitted. The first meeting will introduce you to the ICP proposal process of examining your interests and defining a course of study. For you and the adviser to get the most out of that session, in advance of your appointment, we ask that you to consider the following issues and document them on the attached ICP First Advising Appointment form:

• your interest in individualized studies, • departmental areas of interest and related experience, • short-term and long-term post-graduate goals.

All ICP advising sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes. When you arrive in 20 Ruttan Hall (formerly Classroom Office Building), you will check in with the reception staff and wait for your Inter-College Program adviser to meet you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide as much advance notice as possible.

The Information Center and ICP advising staff look forward to working with you!

3/8/11