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Requirements and Options
The Individualized Degree Program (IDP) is a self-directed process you will undertake with the assistance of your IDP Advisor and a faculty advisor. In order to participate in an IDP, it is required that you contact an IDP advisor. Timely graduation is dependent upon your full engagement, follow-up, communication, and participation throughout the entire IDP process.
Students who complete and IDP must prepare a proposal, which includes a degree plan and an essay. The final proposal must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor, department chair, dean, and the Director of the Center for individualized Learning.
- IDP Major: 40 credit hours, including 21 upper division credits and 15 remaining credits to be completed when the proposal is submitted. A minor must be chosen from the catalog.
- IDP Extended Major: 60 credit hours, including 27 upper division credits and 21 remaining credits to be completed when the proposal is submitted. No minor is necessary.
- IDP Minor: 20 credit hours, including 6 upper division credits and 6 remaining credits to be completed when the proposal is submitted. A major must be chosen from the catalog.
- A minimum grade of C- is required for each course included in an IDP.
- College of Business limit: No more than 29 credit hours from the College of Business may be applied to a non-Business degree program. This limit means that IDP students may not take more than 29 hours of coursework in AAC, BUS, CIS, ECO, FIN, MGT, MKT, or other Business courses. Courses within General Studies, the major, the minor, and electives all count toward the College of Business limit.
- The State of Colorado Department of Education Teacher Licensure CAN NOT be granted through the Individualized Degree Program. Please contact the MSU Denver School of Education for information on teacher licensure (303-615-1777).
- Senior Experience: A Senior Experience is required for the IDP major and extended major. It will consist of at least 3 credit hours at the 4000 level and may be satisfied in a variety of ways, a course, a seminar, an independent study, or an internship.
- GPA: A GPA of 2.5 at MSU Denver is required for most IDs at the time of approval; see your advisor for details or questions.
- Title: IDP students must work with their department and their IDP advisor t determine an appropriate title for the IDP. Some words may not be allowed and there is a limit to the title length. Your major or minor will appear as “Individualized Studies” on your transcript; the title of the major or extended major will be printed on the diploma.
- Degree Type: The IDP major/extended major may be a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS), depending on the content of the IDP.
All students who are interested in the IDP must schedule a meeting with an IDP advisor to determine if the IDP is the right path for completing their degree:
- before meeting with an advisor, watch the video and review requirements;
- use the contact form to schedule a 1-hour appointment with an IDP advisor;
- after meeting with the advisor, sign up for a mandatory (virtual) IDP workshop.
IDP proposals should be submitted within 3 – 6 months of when you start developing your IDP, but at least one year prior to graduation. The earlier you develop your proposal, the better. Refer to the guidelines for other specific requirements for each program: IDP Major, IDP Extended Major, or IDP Minor.
2 semesters before graduation, to ensure you finish your degree on time:
May graduates – Submit final IDP proposal by September 30 (draft due 30 days earlier)
August graduates – Submit final IDP proposal by February 28 (draft due 30 days earlier)
December graduates – Submit final IDP proposal by May 31 (draft due 30 days earlier)
**Your IDP advisor May establish an earlier deadline based on your specific situation**
Possibilities for graduation on time diminish with each passing day after these deadlines. The deadlines above will ensure timely graduation. Students beginning or completing an IDP proposal outside these dates should consult with their IDP advisor and recognize that official graduation may be delayed by one or more semesters.
Please consult carefully with your IDP advisor to be sure that you submit your proposal in a timely fashion.
FINAL STEP: In addition to receipt of your signed IDP proposal in our office, candidates for graduation must apply to graduate online through the Student Hub. See the Registrar’s website or visit their office in JSSB for deadline dates (during the semester prior to when you plan to graduate). If your IDP proposal has not yet been received in our office, with signatures from your faculty advisor, department chair, and dean, you may not apply for graduation.
For more information or to set an appointment with your Center advisor, please call us at (303) 615-0525.
- All university requirements for a bachelor’s degree (or second degree) apply to IDP students
Please review the university IDP policies.
Completing a Degree Plan Worksheet
Please read the instructions before attempting to complete a degree plan. The guide and degree plan allow you to organize the courses that you would like to include in your individualized degree.
Please be prepared to enter
- all courses previously taken (including transfer credits)
- courses in progress and
- courses that you plan to take in the future
The degree plan worksheet includes sections for General Studies, your major, a minor and general elective credits.
The form is designed so you can save it to your computer, print it out and/or fill it out electronically. The form is in spreadsheet format so it will automatically total your credits as you build your degree. However, UPPER DIVISION CREDITS WILL NOT BE TOTALED AUTOMATICALLY, so remember to check the total of upper division credits (3000 & 4000 level courses, or 9000 if transfer credit).
All degrees require a minimum of 40 upper division credits, and each major and minor will have specific upper division credit requirements. The form is not intended for use on a MAC and may not function properly if used on one.
Once you have completed a draft of the degree plan, please contact your IDP advisor to discuss steps for finalizing your degree.
Writing Your Rationale
A strong rationale is a main component of a successful Individualized Degree. The documents listed below contain suggestions to help you in your writing.
Choose either the IDP Major Essay Guide (for a regular or extended IDP), or the IDP Minor Essay Guide.
Scheduling an Appointment with an IDP Advisor
Please use our contact form to request an advising appointment.
Please watch the video before your first appointment in order to learn more about the program.
Contact Us
We are located on the Auraria campus in the Administration Building, 1201 5th Street, Suite 360, across the street from the Auraria West Light Rail Station and above the Police Department. Feel free to phone us at 303-615-0525.
Contact UsPlease visit our Staff page,
for further assistance.