Confirming an Academic Interest Specialist
One requirement of Interdepartmental Studies Program students is to identify and confirm the participation of an Academic Interest Specialist faculty member. This will most likely be a previous professor of yours with a background in your area of proposed study. Selecting a faculty member with expertise in your academic interest will prove beneficial in designing the best possible individualized degree in line with your learning goals.
You will be working with the Interdepartmental Studies Academic Coordinator, but your Academic Interest Specialist is also a resource person for creating your Plan of Study, selecting classes, and coming up with a name for the plan. Some questions the professor may be asking include:
Is the Plan of Study:
- Clear and articulate in its expression and presentation
- Realistic in its projected goals
- Cohesive, with clear connections made between and among courses
- Thorough and specific in its discussion of course content and how that content applies to the student’s stated goals
- Persuasive in arguing that no departmental program meets the student’s educational objectives
- Accurate in its claims (e.g. regarding course availability, prerequisites, numbers of advanced-level coursework needed, etc.)