Doctor of Philosophy in Individual Program of Study

Individual Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) – PH6942

Graduate College
Research & Technology Center 220
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
707.593.2800
quitslun@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Program Overview

The Individual Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) provides a home for doctoral students seeking a degree which combines traditional academic disciplines to span multiple colleges. The ideal prospective student is an individual with demonstrated ability and intellectual maturity. Admission to the Graduate College as an IIP student demands, in part, that the applicant identify a minimum of two emphasis areas, each in a different graduate degree-granting department, school, or program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Successful IIP students will:

• Possess knowledge of two, or more fields beyond the bachelor’s level
• Synthesize knowledge from two or more fields
• Independently design and conduct original research
• Communicate new ideas and concepts in written and oral form

Further Information

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/graduate/individual-program-study

Admission Requirements

• An earned advanced or professional degree from an accredited institution of higher education with at least a 3.25 graduate GPA.
• Transcripts of all previous degrees and all previous graduate work
• At least three letters of recommendation
• A three to five page project proposal that includes
  • Tentative fields of study/areas of emphasis*, including proposed courses;
  • Prospective guidance committee members;
  • A statement of goals; and
  • An explanation of why none of the related existing degrees meet the student’s educational and professional objectives, and the Project Proposal should be submitted with other documents in the online application.
• Letters of Recommendation
  • At least three (3) letters of recommendation on academic preparation
  • A letter of support provided by each of the Graduate Directors of the cooperating programs/departments/schools that will constitute the primary fields of study. The director should endorse the proposed courses in the degree proposal.
  • A letter of support from each prospective Guidance Committee Member. These letters commit the faculty members to be the initial advisors of record for the applicant.
• A resume or CV
• (Recommended) Official test scores such as GRE, GMAT, or MAT. Non-native speakers of English must submit official English Proficiency scores.

Additionally, prospective students should consult the website of the departments, schools, or programs that will serve as their emphasis areas and provide any additional materials (e.g., writing sample, additional letters of recommendation) required by those departments, schools, or programs.

Students whose native language is not English must meet the University English language proficiency requirements as stated in the Graduate Catalog.

*Note that the parent program at Ohio University for both areas of emphasis must be graduate degree-granting, and at least one must grant doctoral degree.
 

For fall admission, complete applications must be submitted by April 15; for spring admission, complete applications must be submitted by November 15. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the program director, Dr. Beth Quitslund (quitslun@ohio.edu), prior to beginning the application process.

International Students

For visa purposes, most IIP plans of study permit full-time residency in Athens. Check the desired course offerings in each emphasis area to be sure that they are not predominantly online.

Graduation Requirements

The IIP Ph.D. requires a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree and the completion of an approved Plan of Study, which shall minimally include the following: