Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I just transfer from CLA and automatically declare an Inter-College Program (ICP) major?
No, you must attend an ICP Information Session, and then meet with an ICP adviser who will assist you in understanding prerequisites for your areas of interest.
The ICP degree seems very flexible. Can I pick any courses I want?
The ICP degree is one of the most flexible programs at the University, but it does have these two provisions:
- You must select upper-division courses (3000-5000 level) according to the degree structures outlined and with the ultimate approval of faculty and advisers.
- You must follow guidelines designated by departments working in association with the ICP and complete course prerequisites as appropriate.
Can I take courses S/N?
General requirements may be taken S/N. All courses from your areas of concentration must be taken for a grade.
Is a second language required?
A second language is not a graduation requirement for the B.S. degree in ICP. However, the B.A. degree requires four semesters of a second language or two semesters of a second language and eight semester credits of related culture courses. The high school preparation requirement for admission to the University of Minnesota (two years of a single foreign language in high school or its equivalent) is required of all students.
What if I've never attended the University of Minnesota?
You can begin planning your degree program in ICP even if you have not attended the University of Minnesota or completed all the requirements for admission. We will be happy to work with you. You will need to complete course work here before we can formally admit you to the program. We can advise you how to complete that course work efficiently.
How will my diploma look?
Your diploma lists only the University of Minnesota, the degree awarded (B.A. or B.S.), and any formal honors you've earned (Latin honors or distinction or both.) This is the information standard for any University of Minnesota graduate. Your transcript will list your degree (B.A. or B.S.), date conferred, the College of Continuing Education, the Inter-College Program, your areas of concentration or thematic title, graduation GPA, and any formal honors you've earned.
How do employers react to this degree?
Most are impressed with the initiative and creativity it takes to create a personalized degree. Students who incorporate theoretical and applied perspectives in their degree can often discuss their learning more fully. Students with individualized majors often interview well because the proposal development process helps them understand the reasons behind their course work choices, and employers recognize this ability as valuable.
Can I add a minor to this degree?
Yes, your adviser can help you plan for inclusion of a minor, if you choose one. Minors are generally done separately from the degree and are not included as an area.
What about certificates?
You can earn a certificate. You can use some of the credit earned in your certificate toward an "area" in ICP.
Is it possible to do a second degree?
Yes, it is possible; however, you cannot use the upper division course work from your previous or simultaneous degree as areas of concentration.
What is the origin of the Inter-College Program and why was it created?
ICP is an outgrowth of the University College, which was created in the early 1930s to provide students with individually-designed, cross-collegiate, course/credit based undergraduate degree programs. The University College quietly served a consistently small and select enrollment from the 1930s through the 1960s. In 1969, the University College became the administrative home for many of the University's wide-ranging efforts in educational innovation. The specific mission that had previously guided the University College was continued by the Inter-College Program.
