Individualized Degree Program (IDP)

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have explored my unique and varying interests through the IDP program. After graduating, I immediately gained experience across several fields and have since landed my dream job of working with underrepresented communities in conservation. This is truly something I couldn't have done without the IDP program, and I can't express my thanks enough. Working with Underserved Populations, 2021 IDP Graduate

Anna Sanchez

I had the privilege of completing an IDP degree with MSU after 16yrs of attempting to complete a degree. I struggled with personal life issues and had dropped out of my previous schools every time. In that time, I studied various subjects and the MSU IDP program allowed me to squish all those interests into a cohesive degree plan. As a result, I graduated with a degree in something I’m passionate about, titled “Social Policy and Human Welfare”. I was blessed to be able to immerse myself in understanding the human condition from various fields of study as well as study the politics that bind us through governance. Social Policy and Human Welfare, 2021 IDP Graduate

Hamilton Nickoloff

When I was going to school there was no Advanced Manufacturing program, but I knew that was what I wanted to do. The IDP program offered by MSU Denver allowed me flexibility to take classes in engineering, industrial design and aerospace that made sense. I was able to develop skills that made me an attractive candidate for large aerospace firms and graduated with a job offer. The beauty of individual learning programs is that students can tailor their education to fit their career and life goals. Aerospace Systems Design, 2014 IDP Graduate

Magens Orman

Due to a multitude of reasons, obtaining a BS degree from MSU Denver has been an endeavor that has literally taken me several decades to accomplish. However, when I was down to needing to complete one class in order to obtain my degree, I hit a massive speed bump, as I was told that I would need to complete 5 more classes due to the fact that I had not attended school in over 10 years. I reached out to an IDP advisor, who was able to navigate through this set back. After 44 years, I finally obtained my BS degree and will forever be grateful to the IDP and people that work there. Public Safety, 2023 IDP Graduate

Jimmy Martinez

Wanting to combine my education from the Siebel Institute and Doemens Academy as a Master Brewer with my MSU bachelor's degree, Dr. Michael Wray steered me towards the Individualized Degree Program, where we designed a complimentary curriculum focused on the business and sensory aspects of brewing, making me a top candidate within my industry. After graduating, I was hired directly into one of AB InBev's recent-grad development programs, learning from the top minds in our industry at one of the largest breweries in North America. My individualized curriculum prepared me to work senior level positions within Molson Coors, and has since taken me abroad to work for ProLeiT, where we design automation solutions for many of the largest brewing manufacturers globally, including AB InBev, Molson Coors, and Heineken. Because of the lifelong faculty support l've received at MSU and the curriculum we designed in my IDP major, I've been recognized by employers as an ideal candidate for diverse positions across the globe. Brewery Administration, 2020 IDP Graduate

Sam Knippers

Completing my undergrad via an IDP provided me with a comprehensive academic foundation that aligned to my professional interest and enabled me to transition into a rewarding career in industry. All the faculty mentors and IDP staff played a crucial role in providing me with guidance and instight throughout my journey, resulting in a positive experience! Aerospace Systems Engineering Technology (ASET), 2014 IDP Graduate

Michael Botyarov, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Aviation & Aerospace Science Department

I left MSU (we called it “Metro”) in 1980 without finishing my four-year degree. In 2018, I returned under an Individualized Degree Program, which allowed me to bridge a 38-year hiatus and receive my BA. Thank you, MSU and the Department of Journalism, for providing the ideal IDP and a wonderful learning experience! Broadcast News and Production, 2018 IDP Graduate

Glenn Morey

MSU Denver's IDP Program allowed me to choose the most interesting and relevant courses the university has to offer. They helped me combine them into a degree in a newly emerging field of technology; I was therefore able to graduate more quickly, and with a broader scholastic background, than many of my peers. Computational Linguistics, IDP 2020 Graduate

Gabriel Grinsteiner, Assistant Director for Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry at MSU Denver

After two university degrees and 20 years experience in crime research, Federal funding dried up during the Reagan Administration.  With better job prospects in the Health Care industry, and wanting to learn about computers, I returned to school at Metro.  Way back then, all the computer courses at Auraria were in the Business, Math or Engineering Departments, and I had no interest in a degree in those fields.  With a creative combination of courses in various departments, I received a Contract B.S. degree in Health Research, and became a research faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine for 20 years -- until I retired. Health Research, 1994 Contract Major Graduate

Joe McGloin