College of Individualized Studies at Metro State University

College of Individualized Studies at Metropolitan State University Some courses combine classroom and online work, and are classified blended or hybrid.

Many Ways to Learn and Earn Credit
The College of Individualized Studies encourages students to learn in a variety of ways, and offers alternatives to traditional classroom learning evaluation. See the website at http://www.metrostate.edu/msweb/explore/fc/cls.html

Choose from the following student-or faculty-directed options:

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is used to evaluate the college level

competence students have achieved, for credit. Prior Learning can be achieved through independent study, non-credit work, life and community-based learning, and/or experiential learning. Theory Seminars are designed specifically for students with extensive experience and practical knowledge in a subject, who want to ground their learning with additional academic context and the theory and principles of the subject. Seminars are also appropriate for students who have strong practical knowledge but not enough theoretical learning to consider Prior Learning Assessment. Student-Designed Independent Study (SDIS) allows students to pursue a unique interest or project with the help of a faculty member, who serves as a guide and evaluates the learning for credit. The SDIS project can also involve a variety of learning methods, such as community or professionally-based training, experiential learning and/or independent research. Faculty-Designed Independent Study (FDIS) Faculty-designed independent studies (FDIS) are designed by faculty to be learned by students independently: reading materials and doing assignments by following the instructor's outline. General Information
Internships: Students can develop innovative and flexible academic internships to fulfill their personal or professional goals. Internships offer students the chance to earn credit through hands-on learning at a variety of sites. Classroom, online or blended formats: Courses taught by university faculty from accross the curriculum may be taken by students in the individualized Studies program, as long as any published pre-requisites are met. Courses are offered in classroom format, typically once per week for 15 weeks, in a variety of locations. Fully online and asynchronous (accessible on the student's timetable) courses are offered in many departments, sometimes as an alternative to a course format, or as a specialized topic. Perspectives 301 and Capstone 499 are offered in both classroom and online format. Metropolitan State University reserves the right to remove posts that violate Facebook’s terms of service.

12/18/2024

Did you know? For over 20 years, Mitchell Hamline has enjoyed a partnership with Metro State University through offering a Summer Partnership in Law (SPIL) program, introducing undergraduate students to the possibility of legal education. SPIL is offered through Metro State's College of Individualized Studies, where students can take unique paths to shape their own degree to fit their life.

03/07/2023

Meet Tameka, a Metro State University graduate from the College of Individualized Studies. When Tameka transferred to Metro State, she had an associate's degree and wanted to earn a bachelor’s. Metro State’s Individualized Studies program was the perfect fit! Tameka easily transferred credits from her coursework at Saint Paul College and built a customized degree program that met her needs as an adult learner. Metro State's program worked with her busy life as a mom and fit her ambitious goals. Since she graduated, Tameka founded Lip Esteem, LLC , a small business in Saint Paul’s Rondo neighborhood that sells plant-based, cruelty-free lipstick and makeup products. She now serves as its CEO.

“What’s exciting about Metro State is that no matter if you are a first-time student or a transfer student from another college, you find a path to your educational goals. Metro State allowed me to feel like an adult in a student atmosphere," Tameka said. "Here, I stood in what I knew. People allowed me to take my experiences and expand on them.”

Are you considering a bachelor’s degree program but don’t know where to start? Explore next steps at Metro State's upcoming Open House events! Join us online March 28 and in-person March 30 to learn more about 60+ affordable undergraduate degree options and discover how you can get college credit for what you already know. We’ll help you find the right degree program for you! Get started today at bit.ly/metrostateopenhouse

10/04/2022

Meet Sosita, a Metro State University student from the College of Individualized Studies. Sosita is pursuing a graduate degree in Marketing and User Experience. After studying graphic design in undergrad, she was looking for a new challenge and a degree program that was specific to her interests.

“Individualized Studies lets me personalize my degree. I get to choose and make my own program and only take the classes that I’m interested in.” —Sosita

To learn more about the College of Individualized Studies and its variety of programs, we invite you to sign up for a Fall 2022 Open House information session – October 11 on Zoom. Our expert faculty and advisors will answer any questions you might have as you explore your next steps! Take a look at our full list of virtual and in-person events at: https://www.metrostate.edu/openhouse

03/08/2022

Learn more about Individualized Studies at the Spring Open House, happening March 22. Sign up to attend the Zoom information session at 6 p.m. https://minnstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/2016467534012/WN_2mGQKCnKR0CEJMn5R2CHYQ

Spring 2022 Open House Metropolitan State University is a public university in Minnesota that offers high-quality, flexible and affordable options in undergraduate, graduate and continuing education. We’ve earned a national reputation for innovative programs that empower students to finish what they started with the fle...

St. Paul's Lip Esteem Featured On Hulu's 'Small Business Revolution'

11/09/2021

Tameka Jones, Metro alumna and owner of Lip Esteem, speaks to WCCO about her appearance tonight on Small Business Revolution. https://cbsloc.al/3H3i06x

St. Paul's Lip Esteem Featured On Hulu's 'Small Business Revolution' WCCO talks with Tameka Jones, the founder and owner of Lip Esteem, an online retailer of plant-based products like lip stick and lip gloss.

11/09/2021

Watch Metro State alumna Tameka Jones as she and her company Lip Esteem are featured on Small Business Revolution on Hulu, starting tonight! Watch the trailer https://youtu.be/J2X9vFuJCQI

11/08/2021

Watch College of Individualized Studies alumna Tameka Jones as she and her company Lip Esteem are featured on an episode of Small Business Revolution on Hulu, starting Tuesday. Watch the trailer https://youtu.be/yxP1rhdnepc

11/07/2021