Individually Planned Major Application Process
Apply for Individually Planned Major
Step 1
The first step is to submit an online IPM Interest Form. This helps you and the university determine if (a) an IPM is the right fit for you and (b) what you are interested in studying through an IPM is even possible at Oglethorpe.
Step 2
If you are a currently enrolled student, then you will be contacted by a faculty member in the area most related to the subject matter you’d like to study. You two will have a meeting to discuss the feasibility of your proposed program of study at Oglethorpe.
(If you are a prospective student or an admitted student, then you will be contacted by a staff member from the Office of Admission to discuss the feasibility of your proposed program of study at Oglethorpe. After that, the application process will halt until you are an enrolled student and have been cleared to meet with a faculty member.)
Step 3
You will be sent an IPM Meeting Results Form. Fill it out to let us know how your discussion with the faculty member went.
Step 4
If the faculty member is willing to sponsor your IPM and you have certified that you are willing to do the research and writing required for a full application, then you will be sent Part I of the IPM Application.
Step 5
Part I of the IPM Application must be reviewed and approved by three members of the faculty and administration: (1) the sponsoring faculty member, (2) the Division Chair for your Area of Concentration, and (3) the Associate Provost.
Each reviewer may approve right away or may have concerns.
If any of the reviewers have concerns, then you must make revisions until all concerns are fully addressed. This may be a multi-step process instead of a one-shot deal.
The deadlines for approval are given below.
| Student Type | Deadline for Approval of Part I of the IPM Application |
|---|---|
| First-time degree-seeking students | By the end of the semester where 50 total credit hours are earned |
| Transfer students with less than 24 transfer credit hours | By the end of the semester when 50 total credit hours are earned |
| Transfer students with 24 or more transfer credit hours | By the end of the first semester at Oglethorpe |
Step 6
Once Part I of the IPM Application is approved, you will be sent the Part II of the IPM Application. You will be asked to list all of the IPM’s coursework, classified by Area of Concentration or Other Field of Study, and to discuss how those courses inter-relate.
Step 7
Part II of the IPM Application must also be reviewed and approved by three members of the faculty and administration: (1) the sponsoring faculty member, (2) the Division Chair for your Area of Concentration, and (3) the Associate Provost.
Each reviewer may approve right away or may have concerns.
If any of the reviewers have concerns, then you must make revisions until all concerns are fully addressed. This may be a multi-step process instead of a one-shot deal.
The deadline for approval is given below.
| Student Type | Deadline for Approval of Part II of the IPM Application |
|---|---|
All students | By the end of next full semester after which Part I of the IPM Application was approved |
| Notes: • The semesters meant in this deadline are Fall and Spring. • Summer semesters do not count as semesters in this deadline process. • For example, if Part I is approved in a Spring or Summer semester, then Part II must be completed by the end of the subsequent Fall semester. |
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Step 8
Once all three members of the faculty and administration have approved Part II of the IPM Application, the Registrar will change your major to IPM, update your degree audit requirements, and send you and your new advisor (the sponsoring faculty member) an official notice.
