Degree Program Options
Attention Denver College Students:
If you’re not entirely sure what you would like your major to be, want to major in something that isn’t offered at your school, or are like me and want five majors but not the work load of five majors, turn your attention to your campus’ Individualized Degree Program.
I just attended a meeting on IDP and let me tell you, this is the way to go.
Take my situation for example: I want to study psychology, marketing, journalism, and public relations and then apply this knowledge to the fields of sociology and political science. Everything I just mentioned can be a degree in their own right, but I don’t have the time, money, or dedication to get all five or six or seven degrees! Enter the Individualized Degree Program (IDP) in which you can basically design your own major and choose the classes needed for someone (like yourself) to major in this field. I haven’t quite decided what to call my major (that’s right, you get to name it!) but I’ll be able to include the best of psychology, marketing, political science, etc. and only the courses that apply directly to my interest instead of something like Stats for Psych majors.
Many people choose the IDP program simply because none of the majors offered at their school suits their interests. CU Boulder has some 200 major programs while Metro State has around 50 or so. At either school it is entirely possible that there will be students not interested in the available majors. Again, enter the IDP program.
So if you are looking to enhance your learning experience and can’t do so with the offered majors, try looking into your campus’ Individualized Degree Program. Me doing so has certainly added a lot of value to my schooling and has motivated me to work harder.
And when you’re ready for a masters or PhD, might I suggest a program through Denver University? DU offers graduate courses through a program or division of their school they have aptly named ‘University College.’ So wait a minute here, just wait a minute - is it a college or a university? Tee hee
August 30th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Very interesting. So, you design your major/degree? How long typically does it take to receive a degree in xyz (whatever you choose)? Of course I’m assuming it depends on whether you want to be an engineer or an underwater basket weaver.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
How would you then get into a graduate program if you have created your own degree? Would you just make up classes that you are missing or find a ‘design your own PhD program’? Most graduate programs require a degree and a certain GPA for admission. Just curious!! :0)I graduated with a dual major BA in art and psychology and yes, it was a lot of work!
September 1st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
The director of the design your-own-major program explained it this way:
to graduate you need to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, with so many hours being in general studies, so many hours in your area of interest, etc. Basically whoever is designing the degree chooses if it will need 120 credit hours thats it, or 160 credit hours, or more.
The director lady, a really nice lady, is also working towards her PhD and is designing her PhD program right now. That’s perhaps what I will end up doing someday for my graduate work as well.
Good questions from Laura and Ferocious Kitty both! I appreciate everyone’s interest in this subject!