Individualized Degree Plan (IDP)
Cal Poly Humboldt
Purpose Statement
To expand educational access and increase degree attainment by providing a customized bachelor’s degree pathway that is flexible, offers students intensive individualized guidance, and reduces the financial and opportunity costs of degree completion.The Individualized Degree Plan (IDP) is intended to increase educational access and degree attainment by providing students with the opportunity and support to design a customized major incorporating coursework from multiple disciplines and institutions, and offering flexibility in modality—be it in-person, online, or hybrid. By reducing structural barriers and fostering interdisciplinary learning, the IDP not only removes financial and opportunity costs but also enables students to tailor their academic pursuits to their interests and goals, as well as their personal and professional commitments. The program has demonstrated early success by serving the needs of a diverse cohort of 61 students in its first year. The IDP holds promise for scalability, with potential for regional expansion through strategic partnerships with community colleges. Further, it is a model that could be replicated across the CSU system to address the need for accessible and flexible degree pathways.