Academic Programs Overview

Integrative Arts

• What is the Integrative Arts Major?
• Requirements For The Degree
• Entrance Requirements
• Change of Major

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Change of Major | The Application Procedure | The Proposal

Change Of Major

1. Students in the major must be highly motivated, willing to accept responsibility for their major choices, and have a clear sense of their goals and objectives.

The Integrative Arts major is not for everyone. It demands a clear and articulate understanding of your goals and objectives in the major. It also demands the acceptance of a high degree of personal responsibility in determining the "plan" and the courses that shape any individual program of study. While the Integrative Arts major provides its students with an unusual amount of freedom and flexibility in determining their degree programs, they, in turn, take on an equal measure of responsibility for how they use and employ that freedom.

2. Students must organize their program of study around a coherent theme with a cohesive plan for exploring that theme through existing and available coursework.

The Integrative Arts major demands that any program of study have a clearly defined and articulated focus in the "Single Arts Area." The theme, topic, or subject that defines the Single Arts Area must be understandable as a distinct vocational, scholarly, or creative interest that could not reasonably be pursued through existing programs of study. The plan for that program of study must also utilize existing coursework that is available and accessible to the student (a need to access restricted or controlled coursework to complete the major is neither realistic nor possible under the INART major).

3. The thematic focus of the major, the Single Arts Area, must combine two or more areas of study and not be a theme that could reasonably be pursued through an existing program of study.

The Integrative Arts degree is "multidisciplinary" and, therefore, demands coursework from "two or more different subject areas." It cannot be a "mini-version" of a disciple-based major with some additional courses "tacked on" nor "shortcut" or "backdoor" to study in an existing major. It must be an "integrated" program of study in the Single Arts Area that combines coursework from at least two subject areas related to one another in an obvious and apparent way.

4. The Integrative Arts major is not designed to serve as a substitute, replacement, or alternative to existing programs nor as a general approach to arts study.

The Integrative Arts major is neither a substitute nor a replacement for formal professional training. While it may allow students to pursue vocational interests, it is not designed to fulfill the demands of professional vocational training. It is also not a program for students who have not made up their minds about what they want to focus their studies on or simply desire to study the arts in a general context. Most important, it is not a program for students who merely wish to change majors in order to take advantage of credits that they have already accrued and graduate as quickly as possible.

The Application Procedure

The application procedure for admission to Integrative Arts is designed to help you decide if the major is right for you, make sure that you understand the major and its requirements, and have a clear idea of the effect that the change will have on your undergraduate career. It will also help us decide if Integrative Arts is the "right fit" for your interests and allow us to direct you to other options if it is not. In order to do this you must have a clear sense of what you want to do and be able to articulate your interests, plans, and goals in a formal written proposal. It is, obviously, important that you take time and give carefully consideration to this proposal.

1. Compose a one-page letter (similar to the cover letter of a resume) and address it to the Department Head, Professor William J. Kelly.

   In your letter, identify your current semester standing, the major in which you are currently enrolled, and the reason(s) you are considering the Integrative Arts program. Also, provide a description of the area(s) of study you hope to pursue in Integrative Arts and list some potential courses offered at PSU that would allow you to accomplish this goal. Finally, make sure you include your current contact information.

2. Send your request to:

   William J. Kelly
   Admission Requests
   30 Borland Building
   University Park, PA 16802

   You may also email your request to:

   Nicki Williams, INART Staff Assistant
   new6@psu.edu

3. Once your letter is received, an Integrative Arts staff assistant will contact you within one week to set up an appointment with an advisor to review your request and help you in preparing a formal proposal for admission.

4. Write the formal proposal for admission and send it to:

   Admission Committee
   The Department of Integrative Arts
   30 Borland Building
   University Park, PA 16802

5. The Admission Committee will review your proposal and, if accepted, the change of major will become effective by the tenth week of the semester in which it was filed. If rejected, you may review the proposal with an Integrative Arts Advisor and resubmit a proposal for the following semester.

The Proposal

To be eligible to enter the Integrative Arts major, you must submit a formal written proposal developed in consultation with an Integrative Arts advisor to the Admissions Committee no later that the eighth week of the fall or spring semesters. The Admissions Committee will review the proposal and, if accepted, the change of major will become effective no later than the tenth week of the semester in which it was filed. Proposals that are rejected may be resubmitted but will not be considered until the following semester's review.

1. A Written Statement

   The Written Statement should explain your reasons for seeking the Integrative Arts major and carefully outline the "theme" or focus of your intended program of study. The written statement should also articulate the professional, scholarly, or creative goals that you wish to achieve through the major.

2. A Course List

   The Course List should provide the committee with those courses that you feel would support and advance your interests in the major. While the course list is not intended to be a binding or set "curriculum," it should give the committee a clear approximation of the coursework that you plan to explore in your major. Pay careful attention to necessary prerequisites and the need to include 15 credits of 400 or equivalent level coursework in the major.

3. A Semester-By-Semester Plan

   The Semester-By-Semester Plan should outline how many semesters you see as being necessary to complete your degree work and what classes you intend to schedule during those semesters.

4. Evidence of Aptitude, Background, or Ability

   Evidence of Aptitude, Background, or Ability relates specifically to your area of intended focus. This could ­ and most often should ­ be based on the successful completion of coursework in that area. However, it could also be based on portfolio review, examples of work in that area, and the recommendations of faculty or professionals who can speak to your qualifications and potential.

5. A Current Transcript

   A Current Transcript will give the committee a sense of your overall academic performance and offer some indication of your potential to succeed in the major.