Individual Concentration Program (ICP)

1255 Angell Hall
435 South State Street
(734) 764-0332 (phone)
(734) 764-2772 (fax)
website: www.lsa.umich.edu/icp
David R. Smith, ICP Advisor

May be approved as a special concentration program

The Individual Concentration Program (ICP) is an option for innovative students who wish to undertake a rigorous program of study within the College of LS&A that is not available either in an existing departmental concentration or interdepartmental program. ICPs are interdisciplinary and reflect the liberal arts perspective of LS&A. The ICP encourages diversity and flexibility, but all ICPs must have an identifiable academic focus and unifying theme. As with other concentrations, ICPs must stress development of skills to think critically, to understand and evaluate knowledge, and to develop ideas.

Since an ICP leads to an A.B. or B.S. degree, students must meet A.B./B.S. requirements (introductory composition, second language, race and ethnicity, and quantitative reasoning requirements, and an area distribution plan). Students may complete the upper-level writing requirement by electing any course approved for that purpose but are urged to seek courses relevant to their concentration. Courses in departments from which students have 12 or more concentration credits may not be used to meet the distribution requirement. Students with an ICP may elect a double concentration provided the ICP courses are not used as part of the second concentration or for area distribution. Recent ICPs have included Community Studies, Computers and Cultural Animation, International Development, Studies in Religion, Science and Society, Perspectives on Death and Dying, Urban Studies, Global Health, Studies in Criminal and Social Justice.

Students interested in developing an ICP must meet with the ICP advisor to discuss goals, academic options, and procedures. After this initial discussion, a formal application may be submitted. This application must include:

  1. an intellectual statement containing a coherent rationale for the proposed program;
  2. a comprehensive academic plan of at least 30 upper-level credits;
  3. an unofficial transcript; and
  4. a letter of recommendation from two faculty members from two LS&A departments offering courses in the student's defined concentration. These faculty should have discussed the proposed program with the student and support the proposal.

A maximum of six non-LSA credits may be included in the concentration. No more than half the proposed concentration courses can be completed and/or currently elected at the time the ICP application is submitted. Applications are generally made prior to the senior year. Only one course from an ICP may be used toward completing the requirements of an academic minor.

The completed application is reviewed by the Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies, a committee composed of LS&A faculty members and a representative of the Academic Advising Center. The committee bases its decision on whether the proposed program ensures a coherent course of study comparable to that in other College concentration programs.

When an ICP has been approved, the student may proceed with the program. If it becomes necessary or desirable to modify an ICP, the student must consult the ICP advisor.

Advising. Appointments with the ICP advisor, David R. Smith, are scheduled at the Academic Advising Center, 1255 Angell Hall. ICP applications are available at the ICP website and when completed should be returned to 1255 Angell Hall.

Honors Individual Concentration Program (HICP)

The Honors ICP is intended for exceptional students who wish to undertake a liberal arts program of study not currently available in an existing departmental concentration or program.

Residential College Individual Concentration Program (RCICP)

The RC offers the opportunity to formulate an individualized concentration to RC students unable to find an existing degree program within the Residential College, or in the College of LSA, that meets their specific academic needs and interests.