Self Design Concentration
Self-Design Concentration
Create something truly unique that sets you apart. Design a personalized 18-credit concentration that aligns with your passion, purpose, and career aspirations by combining courses from multiple disciplines.
Why Choose Self-Design?
🎯 Perfect Alignment
Build a concentration that perfectly matches your career goals and interests
🌟 Stand Out
Create something truly unique for your chosen field or graduate school applications
🤝 Expert Guidance
Work closely with experienced advisors who help shape and refine your academic vision
🔗 Integrate Disciplines
Combine courses from multiple academic areas to create innovative connections
How Self-Design Works
The Self-Design concentration empowers you to create a personalized 18-credit focus area that complements your other concentrations in your IDS degree.
18 Credits Total
Design your concentration with courses from two or more disciplines
6+ Upper-Level Credits
At least 6 credits must be 300/400 level courses
Multiple Disciplines
Combine courses from different academic departments
Advisor Approval
Work with IDS advisors to ensure academic coherence
Who Can Create a Self-Design Concentration?
Current IDS Students
Students already in the Interdisciplinary Studies program who want to add a custom focus area
Transfer Students
Students transferring with diverse coursework that can be organized into a unique concentration
Career-Focused Students
Students with specific career goals that don't fit existing concentration options
Graduate School Bound
Students preparing for graduate programs that require specific interdisciplinary background
Self-Design Concentration Ideas
Here are examples of how students might organize courses into custom concentrations:
Digital Wellness
Psychology + Technology + Health Sciences
Sustainable Business
Environmental Studies + Business + Ethics
Arts Therapy
Psychology + Art + Social Work
Community Advocacy
Political Science + Sociology + Communication
Sports Analytics
Mathematics + Exercise Science + Data Science
Cultural Preservation
History + Digital Humanities + Anthropology
Student Success Stories
Jeremy L.
B.S.: Wellness, Leadership Studies, & Self-Design
Career Goal: Working with special populations through wellness programs and community leadership initiatives.
Lex F.
B.S.: Political Science, Studio Art, & Self-Design
Achievement: Gained admission to J.D. program with a unique background in visual advocacy and policy analysis.
Ashley W.
B.S.: Theater, Sociology, & Self-Design
Impact: Established an inclusive children's theater program that serves diverse communities.
Design Process
1
Explore Your Vision
Identify your interests, goals, and the academic gap you want to fill
2
Meet with Advisors
Discuss your ideas and explore course options across departments
3
Design Your Plan
Select 18 credits that create a coherent, focused concentration
4
Get Approval
Submit your concentration proposal for faculty review and approval
5
Begin Coursework
Start taking courses in your custom-designed concentration area
Ready to Design Your Unique Academic Path?
Our Interdisciplinary Studies advisors are here to help you transform your vision into reality. Schedule a meeting to explore how a self-design concentration can advance your goals.
Questions About Self-Design?
Email: idsinfo@southernct.edu
Phone: (203) 392-8113
Our advisors can help you explore whether self-design is right for your goals.