Ohio University
Graduate Catalog

Individual Interdisciplinary Programs



As a graduate student with demonstrated ability and intellectual maturity, you may apply for admission into the Individual Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) at either the master's or doctoral level. Entry into the program requires unconditional admission to graduate study. You should have achieved at least a 3.3 undergraduate g.p.a. to pursue a master's degree in IIP, and/or a 3.6 graduate g.p.a. to pursue the Ph.D. degree in IIP. You may also have to provide official test scores such as GRE, GMAT, or MAT. The IIP requires that you, with the assistance of your advisory committee, develop a program of study that includes a minimum of three emphasis areas, each in a different department or school. At least two of the departments or schools must offer graduate degrees at the degree level sought.

At the master's level, the minimum requirements include 15 hours of course credit in each area of emphasis, plus a final project (thesis, performance, etc.) acceptable to your advisory committee. The credit hours required for the final project will be determined by the committee. You will be required to meet the minimum requirements of the assigned college for the master's degree.

At the Ph.D. level, no fixed minimum of course credit is imposed beyond that associated with the residency requirement (three consecutive quarters in a full-time equivalent status); however, a practical minimum in terms of hours of course credit is 135 beyond the bachelor's degree, or 90 beyond the master's degree. You will be required to meet the minimum requirements of the assigned college for the doctoral degree.

The IIP is administered through the Office of Graduate Student Services; address inquiries to the director of the Individual Interdisciplinary Program at that office. Upon receipt of the inquiry, the office will send the appropriate application forms to you. In addition to the standard application forms, three letters of recommendation, official test scores that may be required by the individual departments/schools participating in the program of study, two official transcripts from each post-secondary school attended, and the application fee, you are required to submit: (1) a statement (not to exceed two pages) describing your goal and rationale for pursuing an IIP degree, including the reasons why the degree goal is not available through an existing advanced degree program at Ohio University (this procedure requires that you be familiar with the possibilities described in this catalog); and (2) a tentative plan of study.

After all application documents are received, the director of the Individual Interdisciplinary Program determines whether: (1) your qualifications are minimally acceptable, (2) the university's capabilities and your goals are compatible, and (3) the proposed program is unavailable in an existing format in an existing academic unit.

If these requirements are satisfied, the credentials are forwarded to those chairing the graduate committees of the departments or schools involved for evaluation and recommendations from qualified faculty. If the recommendations from the departments/schools and the academic college are positive, you are admitted to the program and an advisory committee is appointed. The committee is responsible for preparing the program requirements, periodically reviewing your progress, administering comprehensive examinations, and directing the final project or dissertation. You will be required to meet the minimum requirements of the assigned college for the degree level sought.

Application materials for fall quarter must be received by March 1. Application materials for other quarters must be received three months prior to the beginning of the quarter of entry requested.



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University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file (http://www.ohiou.edu/~gcat/95-97/areas/individual.html) April 13, 1998.

Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "gcat@www.cats.ohiou.edu."