Students in the MA in Individualized Studies Program design a master's degree that meets their unique academic and professional needs. They start with a question, issue or problem that has meaning and urgency for them and their communities. They undertake interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies, moving among, between, and beyond academic disciplines, to arrive at new questions. They immerse themselves in their topics of inquiry, building a solid understanding of historical and contemporary thinking within traditions and disciplines central to their specific study. Integrating knowledge and rigorous research methodology, students create programs that are directly relevant to their lives.
Working with faculty advisors, students develop semester goals and degree plans that incorporate research with personal explorations, interrogate historical and cultural assumptions, and examine epistemological and theoretical contexts. Students undertake engaged practice, such as internships or workshop facilitation. In this way, they bring their experiences and knowledge to a larger community, ensuring that their theories are practicable within a real-world context. Community engagement also enriches their learning.
Individualized studies students produce thesis-driven final products that are relevant to specific audiences and demonstrate mastery of their study areas. They use disciplinary methods to develop concepts and theories that challenge academic and cultural assumptions, often producing new knowledge with real-world significance. The intellectual rigor prepares students for numerous paths upon graduation. MA in Individualized Studies graduates are educators, entrepreneurs, writers, musicians, counselors, and administrators. Many have entered doctoral programs.
The Possibilities are as Diverse as the Students
