2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Oct 07, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Studies, Individualized Degree Plan Concentration, B.A.


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The Interdisciplinary Studies major with an Individualized Degree Plan at Cal Poly Humboldt invites students to become collaborators in the design of their own learning and earn a degree that aligns with their specific educational, career, and life-long learning goals. By providing the opportunity to customize a program of study, students are able to identify, explore, and develop their individual intellectual and professional interests.

An interdisciplinary degree readies students for a range of educational and professional pathways, including graduate study and careers across the public and private sectors in which possessing broad knowledge and skills is an asset. They can tailor their coursework toward graduate programs and careers in interdisciplinary and emerging fields like renewable energy, user experience research, sustainable design, urban and regional planning, advocacy, healthcare, entrepreneurship and many more. In addition, students acquire interdisciplinary habits of mind that can enable them to transition through different careers and take advantage of evolving employment opportunities.

The Interdisciplinary Studies, IDP concentration is not intended to bypass normal graduation requirements or to avoid certain requirements of a regular major offered at Cal Poly Humboldt.

If you are interested in this program, please contact the IDP director to discuss your educational and career goals. The IDP director will evaluate your completed courses and help you explore the individualized degree plan options.

Contact Information

Director, Individualized Degree Plan (IDP)

Rebecca Robertson, Ph.D.
Office of Academic Affairs 
rebecca.robertson@humboldt.edu

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major does not include a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course. Students must take a GWAR certified writing intensive course to fulfill the requirement. 

Requirements for the Major (45 Units)


All major coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or better (or a grade of Credit for courses with Mandatory CR/NC grading). All students must complete the three courses required for the concentration, plus 36 units of coursework on their approved Individualized Degree Plan.

Concentration Courses (9 Units)


Complete the following three courses.

Optional Internship (0-6 Units)


Up to 6 units may be included in the individualized degree plan (IDP) or may be taken as elective units.

Individualized Degree Plan (IDP) Breadth and Depth Requirement (36 Units)


The Individualized Degree Plan (IDP) should have a focus defined by topic, theme, educational or career pathway, and show a progression from less-advanced to more advanced/specialized coursework. The IDP requires approved coursework planned according to one of the following options. 

All options require 36 units, with at least 15 units taken at the upper division level. At least 9 of those 15 upper division units must be courses numbered 310 or above (i.e., courses that are NOT designated as GE). 

Option A: The 36 units are taken in two areas of emphasis, with at least 15 units taken in each area. Courses in each emphasis area may be drawn from an existing major, minor, or certificate of study.

Option B: The 36 units are taken in three areas of emphasis with at least 9 units in each area. Courses in each emphasis may be drawn from an existing major, minor, or certificate of study. 

Option C: The 36 units are taken in at least two disciplines, plus a minor chosen from the catalog. Units taken in minor may be included in the IDP. See Minors  in the catalog for options.

Individualized Degree Plan Proposal

Students create an individualized degree proposal in consultation with faculty representing each area of focus. It is recommended that students submit their individualized degree proposal at least three semesters before they plan to graduate. The proposal must be submitted at least one semester prior to graduation.

Individualized Degree Plans are considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval is determined on the basis of the academic merit of the proposed course of study, the proposal rationale, the applicant’s potential for successful completion of the program, and on the ability of the University to support the proposed program.

Personal Statement

Students are required to write a personal statement that identifies the IDP focus and areas of emphasis, with a description of their educational, career, and lifelong learning goals, and how their proposed plan advances towards these goals.

Required Approval

The IDP proposal must be approved by the department chair representing each area of study, the IDP program director and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. The IDP program director will submit the student’s approved IDP to the Office of the Registrar.

Student Records

The Office of the Registrar will formalize the approval and update the student’s degree audit per the terms of the IDP. Please note: Upon graduation the student will have earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, which will be listed on the student’s diploma. The student’s transcript will include a concentration of Individualized Degree Plan. Neither the diploma nor the transcript will include specific titles from the IDP.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and critically evaluate disciplinary assumptions, approaches, theories, and evidence 
  2. Apply interdisciplinary approaches and evidence to critically evaluate, understand, contextualize, and propose solutions to complex problems 
  3. Conduct research and/or engage in creative activities that synthesize theoretical and/or methodological frameworks from more than one discipline to produce new or expanded knowledge that crosses disciplinary boundaries 
  4. Use digital media and technology to effectively communicate interdisciplinary knowledge and its applications both orally and in writing 
  5. Reflect on and apply their interdisciplinary learning to life beyond Cal Poly Humboldt

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