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Individualized Studies

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Customize your own career-oriented pathway with a degree in Individualized Studies.

Career Area: Liberal Arts & Sciences
Program: Individualized Studies
Campus(es): Winona/Red Wing


Major Details

Courses

Cost

Careers

Outcomes

Highlights

Instructors

Major Details

Customize your own career-oriented pathway with a degree in Individualized Studies.

An Associate of Science (AS) Degree in Individualized Studies is the right program if you:

  • are interested in a specific career field or want to explore a particular career area
  • are undecided about your future career
  • want general education courses in the Liberal Arts & Sciences that can transfer to any Minnesota State system college or university

By allowing you to combine and integrate a number of subjects into a degree program, the Associate of Science degree in Individualized Studies will allow you to work toward completing the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) and build on current areas of expertise and experiences.

A 2-year Associate of Science Degree in Individualized Studies is designed around 40 credits of coursework from the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum package plus 20 credits from a career-focused pathway. Working with your advisor, you can construct your own degree by selecting classes from these fields:

  • Business
  • Human services
  • Health
  • Computer
  • Trade & Technical
  • Liberal Arts

The Associate of Science degree in Individualized Studies is designed to provide a full complement of Liberal Arts and Science courses transferrable to any Minnesota State system college or university. Typically, students enroll at Minnesota State College Southeast for two years, and then transfer to another college to earn a bachelor's degree.

Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast

Download the Program Plan

Courses

1) 1100 or higher Liberal Arts and Sciences courses required unless specified

Note:

Recommended Liberal Arts and Sciences required courses from MnTransfer curriculum package which includes courses from the following:
Goal 1: Written & Oral Communications, (College Writing I and College Writing II and College Speech are required), minimum of 9 credits;
Goal 2: Critical Thinking, 0-3 credits;
Goal 3: Natural Science (One course must have a traditional lab credit), 6-9 credits from two different subject areas;
Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning (One course must be a math course), 3-6 credits;
Goal 5: History and the Social Behavioral Sciences, three courses from at least two different subject areas, minimum of 9 credits;
Goal 6: The Humanities, three courses from at least two different subject areas, minimum of 9 credits;
Goal 7: Human Diversity, 3-6 credits;
Goal 8: Global Perspective, 3-6 credits;
Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility, 3-6 credits;
Goal 10: People and the Environment, 3-6 credits.

View the MnTransfer Package Goals

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
40 cr
Overall GPA of 2.0 in the MnTransfer package
0 cr
 
40 crs
CAREER FOCUS REQUIREMENTS
Career Focus (see advisor for approved courses)
Students will select courses to meet the pathway requirement for the A.S. Degree.

Download the Course Outline

16 cr
BUSN1245
Business Computers
This course is designed to provide "hands on" training in the use of the computer aimed at information processing for coursework, personal, and professional purposes. According to skillful design standards, students solve business problems using industry-standard software application programs (word processing, spreadsheets, and database management, presentations, and email/calendar). A brief introduction to file management, cloud technology, and operating system is covered. Students will also develop an understanding of computer safety, security, ethics, and privacy. (Prerequisites: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

3 cr
INSP1525
Career and Educational Planning
Students will work individually and collaboratively to create a personal career plan for successful college completion: transfer, diploma, or degree. (Prerequisite: None) (1 credit: 1 lecture/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

1 cr
 
20 crs

Total Credits Required for this Major: 60 Credits

Estimated Costs for this Major
Approximate Tuition/Fees:$11,456
Minimum Tool Cost:N/A
Books/Supplies:$840
Estimated Total:$12,296
 

 

Career Opportunities

A degree in Individualized Studies is designed to allow you to choose your own direction with opportunities to focus on:

  • Specialized Careers
  • Structured Program Areas
  • Combined Areas of Expertise
  • Integrated Professions

Career Information

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.

Outcomes

  1. Acquire expertise in career options and opportunities in a variety of fields
  2. Analyze and assess personal values and life goals that affect career decision-making
  3. Gain a fundamental understanding of workplace environments
  4. Acquire knowledge of self, and subsequently, one’s capability for self-direction and self-motivation
  5. Utilize the English language to effectively read, write, and listen critically
  6. Perform the mathematical computations necessary to succeed as an employee and as a consumer
  7. Increased understanding in the fields of science and technology
  8. Develop a thoughtful, complete career plan for continuing knowledge and learning in the chosen career field

Important Documents
I.S. Degree /Career Focus Planning Worksheet (PDF)

Highlights

  • Build Your Own Individualized Degree Plan
  • Multidisciplinary Coursework - in more than one discipline
  • Intradisciplinary Coursework - in all the same discipline
  • Build on Your Areas of Expertise and Experiences
  • Complete MnTransfer Package
  • Assume Self-Directed Learning
  • Develop a Sense of Life-Long Learning
  • Appreciate Reflective Learning

Instructors

Cynthia Ciszewski
B.A. English, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
M.A. English Language and Literature, Winona State University

Cindy Ciszewski came to MSC Southeast in 2010 as a member of the English faculty. Before that, she taught College Reading and Writing at Winona State University and worked in their Writing Center. She has also taught Film and American History at Western Technical College in La Crosse. In her free time, Cindy enjoys reading (of course, she’s an English major), running, cooking, antiquing, and flower gardening. Her favorite time of all, though, is that spent “up-north” with her husband and two daughters.
Tamra Graham
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law
B.A., Music, University of Alaska-Anchorage
Tamra Graham was a President's Scholar at William Mitchell College of Law. She has worked in both the public and private legal sectors. Since 2005, she has taught political science, philosophy, and criminal justice courses MSC Southeast. She was raised in Alaska and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and many outdoor activities, including geocaching.