The benefits of study abroad in individualized degree programs are as varied as the students and the degree programs they design. Through study abroad, you’ll develop your language competency, build confidence and problem-solving skills, discover new worlds and ways to adapt (even in your own world), and make life and career connections. But mostly, it’s an ancient, proven way of learning, “indispensable to any close observer of human beings.”
Wilhelm von Humboldt
Information on this page covers 4 individualized degree programs:
- BIS: Bachelor of Individualized Studies (College of Liberal Arts)
- IDIM: Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (College of Liberal Arts)
- ICP: Inter-College Program (College of Continuing and Professional Studies)
- MdS: Multidisciplinary Studies (College of Continuing and Professional Studies)
Academic Planning Recommendations
Many BIS, IDIM, ICP, and MdS students use credits from study abroad as part of their individualized degree program. With advanced planning, all four programs are flexible enough to incorporate study abroad. The earlier you select your study abroad program—or programs (some students do more than one)—the easier it will be to integrate the courses into your individualized degree plan.
Liberal Education Requirements
Search the U Credit Abroad Search. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.
Major and Minor Requirements
Most major requirements may be satisfied through appropriate courses taken abroad. However, certain degree requirements must be taken here because there are few counterparts outside the University of Minnesota.
Integrate community engagement or an internship into your degree program
With the advance approval of your concentration adviser, it is possible to include experiential coursework in a BIS, IDIM, ICP, or MdS degree program. Like more conventional classroom-based courses, internships or other experiential courses should fit with your concentration and should complement other courses within it. Concentration advisers may vary in their enthusiasm for experiential coursework. Early consultation is strongly advised.
Work on your language requirement
For the BIS and IDIM programs, you must either complete a fourth-semester college language course or pass the Language Proficiency Exam. The BA option within ICP requires either 2 years of language or 1 year of language plus 8 credits of related culture courses. The BA option within MdS requires 12 credits of course work dedicated to languages or cultures other than your native language or culture.
Study abroad offers extraordinary opportunities to satisfy these requirements. Learning is most efficient when you are surrounded by the language you are studying, particularly for programs that include homestays. Options are available for accelerated language learning.
Who will advise me and help me with course approvals?
Learning Abroad Center advisers can help you find program and course information to help you prepare for your study abroad academic planning discussion with your academic adviser. Once you have narrowed down your program options contact your academic adviser to use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) form to structure your academic planning.
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
CCAPS students can apply for CCAPS Collegiate scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.
Programs
Consider these factors when selecting a study abroad program. Explore these suggestions and many more opportunities using the Learning Abroad Center program search.
Additional Options to Consider
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.