YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY

INDIVIDUALIZED CURRICULUM PROGRAM

A program of study designed for those individuals whose needs may not be met appropriately by existing programs

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INTRODUCTION:

The Individualized Curriculum Program (ICP) is designed for the serious student whose well-defined educational goals are not served by existing majors within the University. It is a program that allows students, with the assistance of a faculty committee, to create unique interdisciplinary majors. Typically, with careful advising, the combination of a traditional major, a traditional minor and electives can fulfill a student's educational objectives. However, there are some cases in which an ICP may be more appropriate.

To learn more about ICPs, select one of the section headings below:

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I. Examples of Individualized Curricula

II. Standard Programs

III. Cases when an ICP is not appropriate

IV. Policies and procedures

V. Steps for graduating with an ICP degree

VI. Who to contact for more information

VII. Required forms

Last updated: October 6, 2000 by James H. Mike

I. EXAMPLES OF INDIVIDUALIZED CURRICULA

An ICP is appropriate for a student with interests that are broad enough to require a significant number of courses from several departments, and integrated enough to form a coherent program of study. A second type of ICP is one that combines courses from only two or three disciplines to create a major which is common to many universities, but which is not currently offered at YSU. Third, a student who has an associate degree for which there is not a standard "two plus two" program for a baccalaureate degree may develop an ICP.

A traditional major consists of at least 30 s.h. in one department with grades of "C" or better. Instead of a major, an ICP includes a concentration of at least 48 s.h. of coursework drawn from several departments. An ICP does not include a minor. Coursework that would normally make up a minor is included as part of the concentration. Listed below are examples of ICP programs that have been developed at YSU in the past, along with the departments making up the concentration.

• Urban Development: Economics, Geography, Political Science and Sociology.
• Quantitative Business Analysis: Accounting, Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics.
• Gerontology: Sociology, Psychology, Nursing, Health Sciences and Social Work.
• Bio-Science Illustration: Biology, Studio Art and Advertising.

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II. STANDARD PROGRAMS

Some programs not offered as regular majors are available at YSU through the Individualized Curriculum Program. Students interested in one of the programs listed below should check with the ICP Coordinator of the appropriate college for information on eligibility, curriculum sheets, and degree requirements. A list of College ICP Coordinators is given in Section VI.

College of Arts & Sciences

• Journalism (AB)

College of Business Administration

• International Business (BSBA)

 College of Engineering & Technology

• Computer Engineering Technology (AAS and BSAS)
• Construction Management Technology (BSAS)
• Electromechanical Engineering Technology (AAS and BSAS)
• Facilities Engineering Technology (BSAS)
• HVAC Engineering Technology (AAS)

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III. CASES WHEN AN ICP IS NOT APPROPRIATE

• An ICP cannot be a "general studies" degree that lacks a clearly defined focus.
• Students who are undecided about a major or a career should not apply for an ICP. Instead, they should be meeting with academic advisors or Career Services staff.
• An ICP cannot be used by students who have earned a large number of credit hours without completing a major or who wish to change majors at the last minute, simply because they wish to graduate on time. ICP policy requires that students seeking a baccalaureate degree have at least 30 s.h. yet to be completed at the time the program is approved.
• Students with a GPA less than 2.50 are not eligible to apply for an ICP.
• An ICP is not appropriate for students whose goals can be met with a traditional major and minor. Students who are interested in a traditional program but unable or unwilling to complete one or more of the degree requirements (typically mathematics or foreign languages) cannot develop an ICP in the same area to avoid the requirements.
• Certain professions, such as accounting, education, engineering, or health, may require special educational certification, and some employers may have very specific guidelines about the types of degrees that they require. An ICP may not be appropriate in these cases.

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IV. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

0. Administration

The Director of the Individualized Curriculum Program has primary responsibility for program administration. Each college has an ICP Coordinator to provide oversight on ICP's that include coursework from their college. The ICP Advisory Committee, consisting of all the College Coordinators and chaired by the Director, meets as needed to discuss policies and procedures.

1. Eligibility requirements

1. For a baccalaureate degree, the student must have at least 32 s.h. completed.
2. The student's GPA must be at least 2.50.
3. For a baccalaureate degree the student must have at least 30 s.h. left to complete once the program has been approved. For an associate degree, there must be at least 20 s.h.'s remaining.

2. Application Procedure

1. Students applying for an ICP shall first submit a pre-proposal justifying the need for the proposed program of study. Click here for the required form. The pre-proposal includes the following items:
   1. A statement of the student's educational and career goals.
   2. A statement explaining why the student's goals cannot be met within existing university programs.
   3. A general description of the proposed program.

Note: Pre-proposals are not required for the standard programs described in Section II.

2. If the pre-proposal is approved, the student submits a proposal that describes the proposed program in detail. The proposal is developed with the assistance of a faculty committee chosen by the student. For a baccalaureate degree, the committee must consist of at least three full-service faculty members; or two full-service faculty members for an associate degree. The faculty committee serves in an advisory role only. Approval of a program is given only by the dean of the college granting the degree sought. To receive approval, the program must be of an academic scope and intensity comparable to conventional baccalaureate programs offered by the University. The proposal includes a list of all courses that the student has already taken, along with the additional coursework needed to fulfill all degree requirements. Click here for the required form.

3. Program Requirements

1. Each program will include a concentration of at least 48 s.h. Courses with grades of "D" or "F" and courses taken on a CR/NC basis may not be applied toward the concentration.
2. Concentrations may not include more than 4 semester hours of individualized study.
3. The degree sought (B.S., A.B., B.S.A.S., etc.) must be a degree offered by at least one of the departments represented in the concentration
4. Programs shall meet all university requirements and requirements of the college in which the degree is given. A summary of the University requirements related to the General Education Requirement (GER) is given below.  Details are outlined in the University Bulletin.
5. At least 60 s.h. of courses numbered 2600 or higher, of which 48 s.h. must be in courses number 3700 or higher, must be completed for the degree. Some degrees include a foreign language requirement and may also specify additional requirements. Check the Undergraduate Bulletin for complete details.
6. Approval of an ICP does not free a student from prerequisites associated with courses in the program. Departmental and college/school prerequisites are listed in the YSU catalog.

Summary of GE Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree

1. Essential Skills
   1. Writing I & II - 2 courses
   2. Speech - 1 course
   3. Mathematics - 1 course
2. Knowledge Domains
   1. Natural Science - 2 or 3 courses
   2. Artistic & Literary Perspective - 2 or 3 courses
   3. Societies and Institutions - 2 or 3 courses
   4. Personal & Social Responsibility - 2 courses
   5. Selected Topics and Electives - 1 course

TOTAL: 15 courses

NOTES: Writing-intensive and oral communication-intensive courses are to be integrated in other courses at the upper division level. Critical thinking-intensive components may be integrated at the lower-division or upper-division level. An upper division capstone course is required, and should preferentially be taken in the ICP concentration area.

Associate Degree

1. Writing I & II - 2 courses
2. Four additional courses from at least three of the following areas: Mathematics, Speech, Natural Science, Artistic and Literary Perspectives, Societies and Institutions, and Personal & Social Responsibility. No more than one course counted toward the requirement may be in mathematics.

TOTAL: 6 courses

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4. Changes in Approved Programs

Students must complete all courses specified on the approved program. Changes must be requested in writing using the Change in ICP form. The College ICP Coordinator, in consultation with the student's faculty committee must approve changes. Students wishing to take a class not listed on the approved program must receive approval prior to registering for the class. Valid reasons for changing a program would include a course conflict during the last semester, a proposed class dropped from catalog, more appropriate courses added to catalog, or a modification in career goal.

5. Other issues

The director of the program has the authority to make final rulings on issues that arise which are not covered by the preceding policies or by existing University policies.

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V. STEPS FOR GRADUATING WITH AN ICP DEGREE

1. The student must submit a pre-proposal to the ICP Director.
2. The Director will then circulate the pre-proposal to the appropriate department chairs, deans, and College ICP Coordinators. At least three weeks should be allowed for circulation and review of the pre-proposal.
3. a. If there are objections to the pre-proposal, the Director will notify the student. Any problems that are detected at this time must be resolved before proceeding any further. Possible resolutions to these problems may include the student enrolling in a traditional degree program or submitting a modified pre-proposal that addresses and satisfies any stated objections.

3. b. If there are no objections to the pre-proposal, the Director will inform the student that they are free to develop a complete proposal with the assistance of their faculty committee. The student is also informed at this time as to which college will grant the degree. The Director will sign the pre-proposal and forward it to the ICP Coordinator of the college that will grant the degree.
4. Student then submits the complete proposal to the appropriate College Coordinator.
5. College Coordinator reviews proposal to see if it meets all University, college and degree requirements. The Coordinator also confers with faculty advisors to verify their endorsement and make any needed modifications. The Coordinator notifies student of any changes that are needed. Allow at least three weeks for review of the final proposal.
6. College Coordinator submits proposal to the appropriate dean for final approval.
7. Dean returns approved program to College Coordinator who notifies student of approval.
8. The College Coordinator has responsibility for all matters that are normally handled by the chair of a student's major department, including advising and approval of any course substitutions.
9. Student informs College Coordinators office of intention to graduate at least two semesters before the intended semester of graduation.
10. Student obtains application for graduation from college advisors.

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VI. WHO TO CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Program Director normally handles new inquiries and initial pre-proposals. The individual College Coordinators can also answer general questions about ICPs and provide information about standard programs offered by their college.

Program Director:

Dr. James H. Mike
Room 104, DeBartolo Hall

Mailing address:

College of Arts & Sciences
Youngstown State University
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555

Phone: (330) 742-1517
Fax: (330) 742-2304
E-mail: jhmike@cc.ysu.edu

College ICP Coordinators:

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VII. REQUIRED FORMS

The forms below are provided in PDF format and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing or printing. Click here to get a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Pre-proposal form

Proposal form

Change in ICP form

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