Integrative Studies: A Unique Path

Are you a student who is

  • passionate about exploring unanswered questions by wandering down multiple disciplinary pathways?
  • absorbed by complex problems that seem to demand integrative answers from diverse perspectives?
  • focused on a professional goal that demands a creative academic path?

If so, an Integrative Studies* major may be right for you.

Integrative Studies allows you to work with faculty across the College to design an academic experience that will help you address critical questions and pursue professional goals in ways that cannot be accomplished through an existing major.

Each Integrative Studies program is unique, since students develop a plan of study based on their own distinct set of questions and goals.

The faculty have also developed a series of options (Integrative Studies "platforms") to show what areas of inquiry might be used to create a plan, and to provide a base from which you can launch your own vision of those options.

It takes a special set of skills to pursue an Integrative Studies major. The program works especially well for students who are engaged in, and ready to take responsibility for, their own education, and who are self-motivated, intellectually curious, and ready to challenge themselves.

If that describes you, we invite you to consider pursuing this integrative pathway through an Ithaca College education.

*A special note: This program was formerly called Planned Studies.

Applications to Integrative Studies

Student submissions of completed Integrative Studies proposals will be accepted beginning in Fall 2023.

Applications will be due in mid-October 2023, exact date TBD, for an effective date of the spring 2024 semester. Note that second semester juniors are not eligible to be admitted to the Integrative Studies major.

Want to talk about Integrative Studies?

If you have an idea for a design your own major or if you want to learn more about Integrative Studies, fill out this interest form and the coordinator will reach out to start a conversation.