Consistent with CSUMB's approach to outcomes-based education, and similar to the other majors at CSUMB, the Integrated Studies Special Major (ISSM) B.A. Degree is centered on the achievement of a series of learning outcomes rather than the mere completion of a prescribed sequence of courses. Each student who is accepted into the ISSM Program has the opportunity to pursue individualized learning goals. Students propose (and faculty approve) the MLOs that they will include in their learning plan (ILP). Students design an individualized, interdisciplinary Topic which focuses their learning from at least 11 Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) selected from the entire CSUMB Catalog. These learning outcomes are largely drawn from the MLOs of existing degree programs at CSUMB, but two of the eleven minimum MLOs can be created by the student (with faculty approval). The MLOs of the student's learning plan, taken from multiple academic departments, are linked by a common integrative focus and rationale that express and move forward the student's particular academic and career goals.

Since the Integrated Studies Program is designed to encourage interdisciplinary learning and teaching as well as curricular innovation, the program does not prescribe a single set of MLOs for all the students who pursue an ISSM degree program. Each student must develop and pursue their own individualized set of MLOs. In addition, all students who enroll in this degree program are required, like the students in the other majors at CSUMB, to complete all the learning outcomes (or their equivalents) prescribed by CSUMB's University Learning Requirements (ULRs) as well as all its general graduation requirements.

Three of the minimum eleven MLOs are ISSM courses:

ISSM MLO 1 = ISSM 300, Proseminar

ISSM MLO 2=  ISSM 400, Capstone

ISSM MLO 3=  ISSM 390, Leadership, and 395, Theory and Practice

(note: ISSM 395 is taken as the ISSM "homeroom" every term in between Proseminar and Capstone, and may be taken the final term of the program along with ISSM 400)

Eight of the minimum eleven MLOs come from the University major departments. Two of these eight minimum MLOs can be created by ISSM students, with approval from the ISSM Director/Advisor, and/or Professor of ISSM 300.

The learning outcomes-based ILP (Individualized Learning Plan) proposal of all ISSM students must meet the following requirements:

  • The focus of the Topic of Study must be interdisciplinary and integrative, i.e., it must integrate the learning outcomes from two or more major areas of learning and teaching represented at CSUMB;
  • The Topic of Study cannot duplicate any existing major at CSUMB, nor can it be used to avoid some of the MLOs of an existing major while pursing a learning program that could be achieved within this existing major; and
  • The Topic must be feasible. The particular combination of learning outcomes and learning experiences chosen by the student must be available or accessible through CSUMB, and there must be at least two faculty members with expertise in the areas represented within the student's Topic to serve as advisors. Faculty is defined as one who teaches courses at CSUMB. Faculty can be full or part time, at any rank.

To ensure that the above requirements are fulfilled, the Topic Proposals and Learning Plans designed by students who wish to pursue an ISSM are reviewed and approved by the ISSM Director/Advisor. The Director/Advisor reviews each student's proposed Learning Plan to make sure that they meet the following requirements:

  • the proposed Topic of Study of each ISSM student varies sufficiently from existing degree programs and cannot be achieved solely with any one of these programs;
  • the proposed Topic of Study of each ISSM student integrates learning outcomes and competencies from at least two existing degree programs at CSUMB;
  • the combination of learning outcomes chosen by each ISSM student realistically is supported by existing faculty expertise and the learning experiences available or accessible through CSUMB;
  • the Topic of Study Proposal and Learning Plan (ILP) of each ISSM student reflects CSUMB's curricular Mission, Core Values, and campus emphasis on: the integration of the sciences, arts, humanities, liberal studies and professional education; technological literacy; multiculturalism and global citizenship; ethical reflection and practice; social equity; effective communications in at least two languages; creative expression; value for the earth and earth systems; community service; wellness as well as a holistic sense of self.

Faculty advisors in at least two major departments from which students take the MLOs (at least two in each department) must sign the student's ILP, followed by the ISSM Director/Advisor and/or Professor of ISSM 300.

Students may take MLOs from any department. If the MLO's are taken from a department in which the student has a faculty advisor, in some cases, such as VPA, students are required to take certain MLOs including Proseminar and Capstone from that department as part of the student's MLOs for the ILP.

The information on this page is designed to provide an overall understanding of the ISSM degree, and is subject to update and change. Students should check with the ISSM professors, director, and advisor for up-to-date information.

Posted on Oct 01, 2010 -