PROFILE   |   Individualized Degree Plan (IDP)

Individualized Degree Plan (IDP) Cal Poly Humboldt

Data analyses revealed that despite having amassed sufficient credits, a significant number of students faced a common barrier to degree completion: they were nearing or had reached their financial aid cap, had earned or were nearing 120 units and had fulfilled their general education and all-university requirements, yet lacked the necessary coursework to fulfill the requirements of any major. Cal Poly Humboldt piloted the Individualized Degree Plan in fall 2024 with an initial cohort of 20 students enrolling as IDP majors in August, five of whom graduated at the end of that term. The program’s emphasis on flexibility and customization has empowered students to design and pursue academic pathways that align with their individual needs, reducing time to degree and making it possible for students to complete their degree while working or fulfilling other obligations, thus reducing financial and opportunity costs associated with traditional degree programs.