COSC Individualized Studies

[cookderosa]

I am in the middle of getting an Individualized Studies degree from COSC. I might be able to answer some question.

Oooo!  Awesome!  So, my son is working the business degree.  He's starting his Cornerstone in a few days and has all but 8 classes finished (capstone and business).

He originally applied and started in hospitality, but because it was going to be too expensive, we switched to COSC general business BUT I've found (I think) enough credits to do an Individualized Studies option in hospitality at COSC - that would be perfect.  

If COSC follows ACE / NCCRS, I have 18 lower level hospitality courses and 15 upper level hospitality courses + the capstone for the 18 upper level requirement.  

His advisor won't answer any questions right now- she told me (him) she's too busy with registration and to forward my (his) questions to the registrar.  If they confirm levels, she'll do an eval (how nice of her) but I'm trying and trying to get this pulled together with as little help from her as possible- but there isn't much on their website.

How did you go about getting approval?  Did you pick your 2 areas or did they suggest them based on your courses?  Do you know of any reason they wouldn't allow me (him) to build a concentration this way or does it HAVE to be split between certain things- like the Capstone can be either business or management (I'm thinking management) but I guess I'm just trying to get a grip on how the process works and what kind of objections to expect so I can be ready.

Based on my experience you are understanding everything correctly. The advisors have been so helpful to me, I am surprised that they said that to you, but I can answer some of the questions. 

First, from what I have seen, COSC at a minimum follows the ACE/NCCRS level recommendations. They will grant a course that has a lower level recommendation as upper-level credit if they offer the course as an upper-level course at COSC (That is why SL Business Ethics comes into COSC as UL). I have never seen them downgrade an upper-level class to a lower level so I think you are good there. 

As for getting the approval. It is not a situation where you or COSC picks the areas, you will do it together. The advisor will look at the credits that have been evaluated and give recommendations based on what they think the faculty would accept. At that point, you are free to discuss with the advisor on your ideas and together you all will come up with a plan. The advisor will write up the plan and you will have to fill out 3 questions justifying how the focus areas work together. You will also attach a professional resume. Once you finished the form you send it to your advisor and they send it to the faculty for approval. Results take about 2 weeks. 

The capstone is built completely around the concentration. My advisor and I agreed on two combinations, Business & Psychology or Psychology & Literature. If I did the Business & Psychology route, then my capstone would revolve around how psychology effects business. If I did the Psychology & Literature, then my capstone would revolve around psychology in literature. So basically, the capstone will be built around the mix you decide. 

What focus areas are you considering for your son? You will need at least 9 hours for each area. From the sounds of it, it seems like you only really need hospitality.

That helps SO MUCH thank you!!

I've found enough hospitality courses to fill 18 lower level and 18 upper level (Studycom - ACE, Coopersmith- NCCRS, capstone) and checked how they were evaluated, so assuming consistency, there are enough on his end to fill ALL the requirements. She suggested management in her first email, which would be fine - hospitality / hotel / restaurant management is a common bundle. It's really 6 of 1 or half dozen of the other what it's "called" but I think hospitality is the easier option since the prefixes and evaluations all share the word "hospitality" so it's not a hard case to make. Might take more arguing to demonstrate that hospitality is the same thing as hotel/restaurant - but anyone with either can do either.

So, I guess I'm only wondering then if the logistics are this: fill the gen eds (60) fill the indy study concentration (36) and fill every other slot with electives/overflow (24) does that sound right?

I think in my brain I connected the business degree requirements into this plan when I might not have had to - meaning he still hasn't finished the business requirements (accounting, etc.) so I wanted to make sure that wouldn't be part of it - but now I understand it wouldn't be. Do you mind confirming if your degree broke down that way too? (gen ed, concentration, electives) Honestly, if that's allowed, he'll be able to finish on time this year. I was SOOOOOOOO stressed because he's having trouble with some of the business classes, so we are going slowly - but if he can switch to just needing hospitality, I think we'll be back to making great time.

EDIT to add- I realize that he also needs his liberal studies and upper level institutional requirements met, I'm just asking about the concentration part. Thanks, I just wanted to add that in.