CLA Individualized Degree Programs and Advising

The first step for students interested in the Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) or the Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (IDIM) is to complete the CLA Individualized Degree Programs Information Session Module.

Make sure to click the button at the bottom that says "Done" to indicate you have reviewed the material on each page (after the intro page). Once you have completed the module:

1. Email [email protected].
2. Please give us:
   1. your name
   2. your University of Minnesota student ID number (if you have one)
   3. a couple of times you would be available for an appointment
3. An advisor will respond to your email to set up an appointment to answer questions about the module and to discuss planning your individualized degree.

If you cannot access the module for any reason, then you are welcome to set up an individual information session by emailing [email protected].

The Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) is an alternative degree program that provides certain types of flexibility not available in BA and BS programs. Rather than completing a major within a single field, your coursework is focused on three areas of concentration. You may choose an area for which you take classes from another University of Minnesota-Twin Cities college (for example, the College of Biological Sciences). These areas do not have to be related to each other, but your BIS program proposal must include an explanation of your overall educational goals. Learn more about the BIS.

You must submit a BIS proposal no later than one semester before the semester you expect to graduate. Exceptions will be made only with the approval of the IDP office.

Program Requirements

• 3 areas of concentration; 1 may be non-CLA
• 50 semester credits minimum (all at 3/4/5xxx level; 1/2xxx level courses are not counted in BIS program)
• 15 semester credits 3/4/5xxx level minimum per area
• 21 semester credits maximum non-CLA
• analytic paper requirement

Concentration Requirements

Both the BIS and IDIM may be departmental or interdepartmental. Interdepartmental areas allow you to combine courses from various departments around a specific topic or theme.

Areas of Concentration

CDES
CEHD
CFANS
CLA
Computer Science
CSOM
CSPH
Leadership
Life Sciences
Public Health
Technology (multiple options)
Video Production

Other Requirements

• All UMTC liberal education requirements and all CLA degree requirements, including the second language requirement, are required for a BIS degree or IDIM major.
• BIS/IDIM students do not have to fulfill the 18 upper-level credits outside the major requirement.
• All coursework applied towards a BIS program or IDIM major must be graded A/F with a minimum grade of C-.
• 12 credits maximum in directed study coursework may be applied to the program.

The Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (IDIM) program enables you to fulfill the major program requirements for a bachelor of arts degree (BA) by completing an interdepartmental program of coursework focused on a theme that you choose. You design your program in consultation with faculty and staff advisers. IDIM programs consist of three or four areas of concentration. Your major will need a strong thematic unity and coherence. Learn more about the IDIM. 

You must submit an IDIM proposal no later than one semester before the semester you expect to graduate. Exceptions will be made only with the approval of the IDP office.

Program Requirements

• 3 or 4 CLA areas with a unifying thematic focus
• 50 semester credits minimum
• 40 semester credit minimum 3/4/5xxx level
• 11 semester credits 3/4/5xxx level minimum per area
• Senior Project (minimum 2 credits directed study)

Concentration Requirements

Both the BIS and IDIM may be departmental or interdepartmental. Interdepartmental areas allow you to combine courses from various departments around a specific topic or theme.

Other Requirements

• All UMTC liberal education requirements and all CLA degree requirements, including the second language requirement, are required for a BIS degree or IDIM major.
• BIS/IDIM students do not have to fulfill the 18 upper-level credits outside the major requirement.
• All coursework applied towards a BIS program or IDIM major must be graded A/F with a minimum grade of C-.
• 12 credits maximum in directed study coursework may be applied to the program.

To graduate with an individualized degree program, you must write a program proposal and have your proposal and program approved. This proposal is a written statement (typically 5-6 pages) explaining your academic goals and a list of proposed courses.

Sample Proposal Statements

Developing Your Proposal

Please consult the following links to assist you with developing your program proposal.

• Course Worksheet (If you are unable to open this document, contact the IDP office.)
• BIS/IDIM Proposal Outline
• Tips for Writing a Successful BIS/IDIM Statement
• BIS Worksheet
• IDIM Worksheet

When Should You Begin Writing Your Statement?

You should start working on a draft soon after having discussed with a BIS/IDIM advisor about your course list, concentration areas, and possible theme. Plan to show a draft of your statement well before the application deadline. You should expect to write about more than one draft before your program proposal is ready for formal submission. Proposals for the individually designed interdepartmental major (IDIM), in particular, require several drafts in order for students to clarify their theme and the interrelatedness of their courses.  Students who have a BIS/IDIM advisor review their proposal drafts have much more success in having their proposal approved.

Fall 2026 Proposal Deadline: October 5, 2026

• Before submitting a proposal, students must meet with an IDP advisor to review a rough draft of their proposal and course worksheet. Students must also:
  • Declare the BIS or IDIM before submitting a proposal
  • Submit their proposal at least one semester before their intended graduation term

Program Timeline

The timeline below outlines the typical steps students take to complete the program:

1. Learn about the program
   Students explore BIS or IDIM through advisors, CAPE, the website, peers, or independent research.
2. Complete the Information Session Module
   Students complete the online module and then schedule an appointment with an IDP advisor.
3. Meet with an IDP advisor (email [email protected] to set up an appointment)
   In the first meeting, students discuss ideas, possible concentrations, completed coursework, and next steps.
4. Declare the BIS or IDIM
   Students officially declare the program after their initial advising meeting.
5. Plan coursework
   Students work with an IDP advisor to map out their degree and identify their proposal submission term.
6. Submit proposal
   After advisor review, students submit their proposal. Once approved, the degree is finalized and recorded.
7. Complete capstone and graduate
   Students finish coursework, complete the capstone, and apply for graduation.

Wendy Nicholson-Kotas
Coordinator
[email protected]

Wendy joined the Individualized Degree Programs staff in spring 2012 after serving as an academic advisor in the Social Sciences Community in the College of Liberal Arts. She received her BA at Bryn Mawr College and master's degree in the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture, an interdisciplinary program focusing on history, art history, and museum studies. She received a PhD in history at the University of California, Berkeley and then served as a faculty member at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin before coming to the University of Minnesota.

Kathryn Kluegel
Senior Advisor
[email protected]

Kathryn joined the Individualized Degree Programs staff in August 2004 as a full-time advisor. After graduating from CLA summa cum laude with an IDIM major incorporating human biology, cultural anthropology, and psychology; Kathryn worked in San Francisco with an advertising agency and the San Francisco Film Festival. She then went on to do graduate work at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she taught courses in cultural anthropology and sex/gender studies.  In addition to her advising work with individualized degree and CLA students, she is also a freelance writer. 

Jean Merrill
Senior Advisor
[email protected]

Jean (she/her) joined the Individualized Degree Programs staff in 2024 and has a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in English and French, and a MA and Ph.D from University of Wisconsin-Madison in English literature. Before becoming an academic advisor at the University of Minnesota, she was a faculty member in English at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. Jean now works for CLA college advising and the department of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) and is excited to be a part of IDP advising.

How long does the program take?
It depends on when you start. Some students begin exploring individualized degrees early, while others discover the option later.

You must submit your proposal at least one semester before graduation. For example, a student graduating in Spring 2028 must submit their proposal by Fall 2027.

Do I need a proposal to declare?
No. You do not need a proposal to declare. You only need to have an idea of your intended concentrations. The proposal comes later in the process.

What if my plans change?
That’s okay. Courses and even concentrations can be adjusted. Stay in communication with IDP advising to ensure your plan remains on track for graduation.