A 2024 OHIO graduate holds up diploma in a December snowstorm
Individual Interdisciplinary Programs
Individualized Ph.D., M.S. & M.A. Graduate Programs
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Handbook

Individual Interdisciplinary Programs

The Individual Interdisciplinary Program is a home for graduate students whose academic and research interests might be best served by an interdisciplinary graduate degree. The ideal prospective student is an individual with demonstrated ability and intellectual maturity.

Housed in the Graduate College, the program is offered as M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. options.

Admission as an Individual Interdisciplinary Program student demands, in part, that the applicant identify a minimum of two emphasis areas, each in a different department, school, or program. At least one of the departments, schools, or programs must offer a graduate degree at the degree level sought (i.e., master’s level for a master’s student, doctoral-level for a Ph.D. student). The other department, school, or program involved in the student’s individualized program must, at the very least, offer graduate-level coursework and ideally should be a graduate degree-granting program.

About the Individual Interdisciplinary Programs

  • Ph.D. Courses & Curriculum

    Ph.D. students must complete at least 90-semester credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, including at least four (4) courses (12 credit hours) in each emphasis area. At least 2 of these courses (6 credits) must provide depth of knowledge in the field and at least two of these courses (6 credit hours) must provide breadth of knowledge.

    In addition, the student must complete a final project (dissertation, performance, etc.) acceptable to the Guidance Committee. The graduate chairs in the respective emphasis areas/disciplines will determine which courses provide depth of knowledge and which provide breadth of knowledge.

    Culminating Experience: The procedural rules for degree completion from the primary academic support unit will apply to the IIP student. In most cases, this includes some form of comprehensive exam as well as the completion and defense of a dissertation.

    View the Ph.D. Degree Requirements & Curriculum in the Official Academic Catalog

  • M.A. or M.S. Courses & Curriculum

    Master of Arts and Master of Science students must complete at least 36 semester credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, including four courses (12 credit hours) in each emphasis area. At least two of these courses (6 credit hours) must provide depth of knowledge in the field and at least two of these courses (6 credit hours) must provide breadth of knowledge.

    In addition, the student must complete a final project (thesis, performance, etc.) acceptable to the student’s Guidance Committee. The procedural rules for degree completion from the student’s primary academic support unit will determine whether there is a non-thesis option (e.g., comprehensive examination option) for completing the master’s degree. The graduate chairs in the respective emphasis areas/disciplines will determine which courses provide depth of knowledge and which provide breadth of knowledge.

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

    View the M.S. Degree Requirements & Curriculum in the Official Academic Catalog

    View the M.A. Degree Requirements & Curriculum in the Official Academic Catalog

About Your Guidance Committee

Each student will have a Guidance Committee composed of members of his/her participating departments, schools or programs. This committee must be constituted by the end of the student’s first term in the program. The committee must have at least three faculty members from at least two different emphasis areas/disciplines, and will be responsible for preparing the program requirements, regularly reviewing the student’s progress, administering comprehensive examinations (if relevant), and directing the final project or dissertation for Ph.D. students or the thesis or final project for master's students.

Doctoral Program: Any faculty member at Ohio University with a doctorate or comparable terminal degree (e.g., M.F.A.) may participate on and/or chair an IIP Guidance Committee. The procedural rules for degree completion from the primary academic support unit will apply to the IIP student, e.g., number of outside representatives, etc. The unit’s requirements for content (e.g., required courses) do not apply as these are determined by the IIP course of study.

Master's Program: Any faculty member at Ohio University with a doctorate or comparable terminal degree (e.g., M.F.A.) may participate on and/or chair an IIP Guidance Committee. The procedural rules for degree completion from the primary academic support unit will apply to the IIP student, e.g., number of outside representatives, the existence of a non-thesis option at the Master's level, etc. The unit’s requirements for content (e.g., required courses) do not apply as these are determined by the IIP course of study.

Financial Support & Tuition

The Individual Interdisciplinary Program is not currently offering assistantships or university funding at this time. If an applicant intends to seek possible financial support from one or more of his/her cooperating academic disciplines, we strongly encourage that materials be submitted by the cooperating discipline's funding priority deadlines. Consult the discipline's website for information.

Graduate Tuition and Fees 

Admissions Requirements

Before submitting an application, prospective students are advised to meet with the IIP Directors: Dr. Andy Ray, Director of Graduate Admissions and IIP at raya@ohio.edu, and Dr. Ruth Lu, Assistant IIP Director.

Application Deadlines

SemesterApplication Form DeadlineSupporting Materials Deadline*
Fall (begins late August)April 1April 15
Spring (begins mid-January)November 1November 15

*International students who require an I-9 or DS-2019 are advised to submit all materials no later than January 30 for fall and September 30 for spring.

This program does not admit for summer semester

Eligibility

Applicants for the M.A. or M.S. degree must have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and have achieved at least a 3.0 undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) or its equivalent.

Application Materials

  • A project proposal (3-5 pages for the Master, 5-8 pages for the Ph.D.) that includes:
    • An explanation of why none of the related existing degrees meet the student’s educational and professional objectives.
    • Tentative fields of study/areas of emphasis, including proposed courses
    • statement of goals
    • Prospective guidance committee members
  • Academic Program Endorsement Letters
    • A letter of support must be provided by each of the participating academic units. It should be written by the Program Director, Department Chair, or Associate Dean of the college to which the academic program corresponds. The letter should affirm the proposed courses related to the academic program and indicate departmental support for the IIP student.
    • Specifically, the letter should:
      • Affirm the academic relevance of the proposed coursework and its alignment with the program’s standards.
      • Indicate the program’s willingness to support the student’s academic engagement by making reasonable efforts to provide access to:
        • College/Departmental support staff
        • College/Department Orientation materials
        • College/Department Library resources, laboratories, and relevant software
        • Seminars, colloquia, and other academic enrichment opportunities
  • Prospective Guidance Committee Member Letters
    • 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.
  • General Letters of Recommendation
    • At least three (3) letters of recommendation on academic preparation.
  • Non-native speakers of English must also submit official English Proficiency scores.
  • Transcripts of all previous academic work
    • 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.

Each application is considered soon after it is complete.

If you are a full-time OHIO administrator or faculty member please see the Graduate Catalog for policies regarding Conflict of Interest.

Students admitted to an Individual Interdisciplinary Programs degree cannot concurrently pursue any additional graduate or undergraduate degree.

Current IIP Students

Good Standing

M.A. and M.S. students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to continue in the program. Masters students should 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. Master's 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. If completing the degree by taking a comprehensive examination, the examination must be completed by the end of the semester following the completion of coursework. The student’s Guidance Committee will determine credit hours required for the thesis or final project in conjunction with the requirements of the primary academic support unit.

Ph.D. students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA to continue in the program. Ph.D. students should complete their coursework by the end of their third year of full-time study in the program or by the end of their fifth year of part-time study in the program, and their comprehensive examinations, if required by their participating programs, by the end of the semester following completion of coursework. Full-time Ph.D. students must present the results of their research or creative activities at an academic or professional conference by the end of their third year in the program, and should submit the results of their research or creative activities for peer review and publication to an appropriate journal or publishing house by the end of their fourth year in the program. For part-time Ph.D. students, these dates will be adjusted to align with their progress on course completion. The Guidance Committee will determine credit hours required for the dissertation in conjunction with the requirements of the primary academic support units.

Ready for the Next Step? Contact Us

Before submitting an application, prospective students are advised to meet with the Individual Interdisciplinary Programs Directors: Dr. Andy Ray, Director of Graduate Admissions and IIP at raya@ohio.edu, and Dr. Ruth Lu, Assistant IIP Director.

Apply Now