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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Multidisciplinary Studies
  5. Resources for Current Students

Writing the Multidisciplinary Studies Academic Plan

The acadmic plan must be completed when the student has completed 60 credits.

Follow this format and these instructions to write your Academic Plan.


Your Name

Academic Plan, Date
Multidisciplinary Studies

THEME: List your theme, as it is shown on the Preliminary Proposal or a revised theme, if you’ve revised it since meeting with Dr. Petrulionis.

SUBJECTS OF FOCUS: List your three or four main subjects, as shown on the Preliminary Proposal.

Describe Your Multidisciplinary Studies Theme:

Describe briefly how each of your Subjects of Focus will help develop your theme. What specifically do you expect to learn in each subject, and how does that knowledge contribute to your Multidisciplinary Studies theme? What knowledge and skills do you expect to acquire in these subjects?

Explain how the Multidisciplinary Studies major will allow you to achieve your academic goals. How does this program allow you to accomplish those goals better than a traditional major?

Primary Areas of Coursework

List here all of the course(s) that you plan to take to fulfill the required 36 credits of the Multidisciplinary Studies program.

For each course, provide the following:

  1. Course name and number
  2. Description of what you will learn in this course
  3. Explanation of how this course relates to your Multidisciplinary Studies theme, as described above

400-Level courses (15 credits):

Additional Selections (9 credits):

Theory/Application (3 credits):

Communication Skills (3 credits):

Research Methods/Projects (3 credits):

Critical Analysis (3 credits):

Senior Capstone:
[NOTE: This section can be added later if needed, closer to the student’s senior year.]

Penn State Altoona requires all students who graduate from the college to take a capstone course, preferably in their senior year.

In this section of the Multidisciplinary Studies Academic Plan, you will designate one of your 400-level courses to serve as your capstone. Such classes might be special topics, independent studies, directed internships, student teaching experiences, clinical work, or traditional classes that combine a number of the items listed below.

Capstone courses should achieve the following goals:

  • synthesize the learning that has been delivered in the major program;
  • include a significant writing component;
  • provide students with an opportunity to place themselves in a scholarly or professional context;
  • provide a transition to post-graduation goals, either academic or vocational;
  • ensure significant individual interaction between student and professor.

Possible Internships or Independent Studies

A key feature of the Multidisciplinary Studies program is the opportunity to expand your knowledge, gain practical skills, and learn about your future career opportunities through independent study credits and internships.

An internship provides the opportunity to apply your academic experience in a work environment that matches your interests. If you plan to include an Internship or Independent Study, describe it here as fully as possible.

Career and Academic Goals

Describe briefly your specific professional and/or academic goals after graduating with a B.A. in LAS from Penn State Altoona. How does the Multidisciplinary Studies program move you in that direction? How will this degree prepare you to achieve these goals?

Multidisciplinary Studies

  • Request Information about Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Bachelor's Degree Requirements
  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • Examples of Multidisciplinary Studies Majors
  • Resources for Current Students
    • Student Advising Guide
    • Core Requirement Descriptions and Suggested Courses
    • Writing the Multidisciplinary Studies Academic Plan
    • Approved Natural Science Courses for the Laboratory Science Requirement
    • Sample Plan: Entrepreneurship and Healthy Living
    • Sample Plan: Healthcare and the Humanities
    • Sample Plan: Artistic Marketing/Business
    • Sample Plan: Social Services and Education
    • Sample Plan: Women's Health Advocacy
    • Sample Plan: Technology in an Energy Efficient Business Economy
    • Sample Plan: The Elderly in the Social Sciences
    • Sample Plan: Geographic Information Systems
  • Objectives and Outcomes

Resources for Current Students

Student Advising Guide
Core Requirement Descriptions and Suggested Courses
Writing the Multidisciplinary Studies Academic Plan
Approved Natural Science Courses for the Laboratory Science Requirement
Sample Plan: Entrepreneurship and Healthy Living
Sample Plan: Healthcare and the Humanities
Sample Plan: Artistic Marketing/Business
Sample Plan: Social Services and Education
Sample Plan: Women's Health Advocacy
Sample Plan: Technology in an Energy Efficient Business Economy
Sample Plan: The Elderly in the Social Sciences
Sample Plan: Geographic Information Systems

See Also

  • Associate Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Division of Arts and Humanities
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Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • The Help Tool
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
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