Individual Interdisciplinary Program - MA

Master of Arts in Individual Program of Study

Individual Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) – MA6942

Graduate College
Grosvenor Hall 102
1 Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979
740.597.1323
machtmes@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Individual Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) provides a home for graduate 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, as well as having support from prospective faculty advisors in those areas.

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
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

Students are strongly encouraged to contact the program director, Dr. Krisanna Machtmes (machtmes@ohio.edu), prior to beginning the application process.

Prospective students must provide:

Transcripts of all previous academic work
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.
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.
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.

*Any faculty member qualified as graduate faculty in their home college and program may serve on an IIP guidance committee.

For fall admission, complete applications must be submitted by April 15; for spring admission, complete applications must be submitted by November 15.

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 for IIP Master’s Degree

The IIP master’s degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours and the completion of an approved Plan of Study, which shall minimally include the following:

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of eight formal (graded) graduate-level courses (min. 24 hours). Of these:

A minimum of four courses (min. 12 hours) must be completed in each disciplinary emphasis area
A minimum of two courses (min. 6 hours) in each disciplinary emphasis area must provide breadth of knowledge in the field
A minimum of two courses (min. 6 hours) in each disciplinary emphasis area must provide depth of knowledge in the student’s specialization focus

Additional Requirements

Students are expected to complete their coursework by the end of their second year of full-time study or by the end of their third year of part-time study.
Students must present the results of a research project and/or creative activity at an academic or professional conference prior to the end of their third year, if a full-time student, or fourth year, if a part-time student. Alternative public venues for presentation may be approved by the Guidance Committee together with the program director.

Culminating Experience

The procedural rules for degree completion in the parent program, including capstone or culminating experience, will apply to the IIP student.