Individualized Degree Programs

If you are looking to get satisfaction out of your degree and learning, this may be of interest to you. In 2006, I was finishing a B.S. degree in International Business. I love to travel and throughout college I visited countries like China, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland and Great Britain. I also like meeting and talking to people and found myself conversing easily about many topics with the local folk. Coming back to the states and starting a new semester at college, with each visit to a new country, more and more I felt like something was missing from my degree program. Classes being taught were repetitive that talked about globalization and the basics of doing business in another country. Many of these things I had learned on my own by being a tourist in another country. What I wanted to do was get into their minds and learn about their history and why they live the way they do. I felt if I knew this, I could do business anywhere. These questions led me to researching an individualized degree plan at Metropolitan State University.
Since 1971, Metropolitan State University has been offering this program through their department First College. The university was built around working adults. Now you may ask what is an individualized degree program about? An individualized degree offers you the opportunity to develop a course of study that meets personal and educational goals. There are many areas of concentrations to choose from. Once I changed to the individualize degree program, I talked with advisers who helped to design my degree program that combined both life long learning and previous work and educational experience. I chose International Relations. My focuses were: International Business, History, Psychology and Ethics.
There are requirements to completing a Individualized B.A. degree plan. Each college and university is different. Here is a sample of requirements from Metropolitan State University (http://www.metrostate.edu):

- 124 minimum semester credits
- 40 upper division
- 30 through Metropolitan State University
- 20 in First College
- General Education/Liberal Studies (GELS) requirements
- Two required classes: Prsp 301, Perspectives: Educational Philosophy and Planning; Prsp 499, First College Capstone

When applying to First College, you will be required to come up with an educational goals statement that you write. This will cover what your focus will be, what you want to accomplish and your plan after you finish college. To get a better idea, below is what my educational goals statement was:

Educational Goals Statement

My previous education consists of an A.A.S. degree in Graphic Design I earned at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. I am still attending this institution to finish an A.A. degree in Business Management. My work experience has consisted of 10 years of customer service in retail, 4 years of management experience in retail and 2 years in processing for a consulting company.

In my life experiences, I have learned about different cultures through my travels across the United States and abroad to different countries. I have also attended workshops and conferences for professional development to be more knowledgeable in the areas of higher education, work and life learning. I am currently working for a consulting company in processing. I enjoy what I do and the flexibility my job has given me to peruse other things of interest to me. I have worked for Rust Consulting for 2 years. I am also in the Army National Guard. I am a clarinet player having been in the Army National Guard for 9 years. I am in a leadership position as a NCO (Non-commissioned officer). I feel it is time to finish my B.A. degree in order to move on to another career.

Designing my B.A. Individualized Degree program through First College will give me the opportunity to combine several areas: international business, history, ethics, philosophy and psychology. My goal with my B.A. degree is to have this degree in combination with my work and life experiences to build relationships with different cultures and work together interdependently on a domestic and international level through doing business with each other. I enjoy helping people to realize their potential, but being a guide to help get them to their goal. By creating an individualized degree, my knowledge and understanding of different cultures will be enhanced by including a course in the area of psychology to make my focus and degree plan well rounded complementing my focus of International Relations.

Earning my B.A. degree, will give me a better understanding of the world around me and help me discover how I can be a contributor in bettering the quality of life for myself and humanity in more ways than one. Working with people domestically and internationally, will allow me to branch out into many career paths. My learning and knowledge will be broader and have more depth. I plan on continuing my education and pursuing a master's in international studies/behavioral science.

For me to be an educated person is to continue learning whether through higher education, traveling abroad, making myself part of a community and through reading. Seeking and using the tools and resources available whether it is through volunteering and or attending workshops/seminars. Through my personal hobbies of interest, writing, drawing, painting, making things with my hands, reading books that will lead me on the path of strengthening my spirituality .This individualized degree is the beginning into opening new opportunities of learning, asking questions, seeking the information and knowledge to answer them throughout my life long learning. The goal is to never stop learning for me then there is no reason to go on living if I am not learning. I am then just taking up space.
Going through the Individualized B.A. degree program, I felt more ownership and investment in my education. I didn't feel like it was just a piece of paper, but a showcasing of my talents through the combination of all my previous experiences. I look at this goals statement from time to time to remind myself of the things I want to accomplish. I feel a better satisfaction in knowing that I am doing the things I want. There are many colleges and universities that offer individualized B.A and MBA programs that meet your needs around the country. This is not for everyone, but if you are looking to get more enjoyment in your education, this might be for you.