Rebecca Agocs is a senior at NC State obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Middle Eastern Culture and Conflict.
However, that major can’t be found on any pages of NC State’s website, as Agocs is a part of the Self-Design Degree program.
“I didn’t like the major that I had, and there was no Middle Eastern studies or Arabic major, so I looked into the Self-Design program because of a teacher’s suggestion,” Agocs said.
However, the Self-Design program isn’t just for people who can’t find a major that they like at NC State.
“This is the perfect degree for students who realize that problems and solutions are multifaceted,” said Sandy Stallings, the director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Self-Design Program.
Stallings said that adding the degree is different from any other major in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, because prospective students have to submit an application to the Interdisciplinary Studies Self-Design Advisory Board rather than submitting a CODA request.
According to Stallings, students also have to write a description of their intended degree, formulate learning objectives and identify courses that will be able to help them achieve their degree.
“The Self-Design major is best approached by students who have taken advanced level courses in one of the subject areas they want to bring in,” Stallings said.
Agocs said the program offers many benefits that typical majors at NC State may not.
“You can be a lot more invested in your schoolwork because you’re doing the things that you really want to do,” Agocs said.
According to Agocs, students in the self-design degree program have the opportunity to narrow their focus on specific aspects of their degree.
“My focus is smaller than it would be if I had a general concentration in Psychology,” Agocs said.
Stallings said students in the self-design major program are able to develop themselves as people in accordance with their concentration.
“Who you are and what you understand have an opportunity for definition in this degree,” Stallings said.
Additionally, students get to take a variety of courses.
“You’re in classes that utilize many different interdisciplinary approaches,” Agocs said.
According to Agocs, exposure to many different disciplines help students plan for their careers.
“These classes have given me a better idea of what I want to do after [graduation],” Agocs said.
Stallings said the program offers students a way to view problems, as well as potential solutions from many different perspectives.
With the advantages also come some drawbacks to participating in such a unique degree program.
“You’re not in one certain department,” Agocs said.
In addition, Agocs said she may never have two classes with the same person, due to the fact that her courses are spread out through so many departments.
In regards to getting a job after college, a degree in the Self-Design program fares like any other degree.
“Your degree and your major by themselves rarely get you the job,” said Dr. Woody Catoe, Associate Director of the Career Development Center.
Throughout college, students should work toward developing their major through elective courses and even minors.
“During your college experience, you are building value and credibility around your major,” Catoe said.
As with any other major, Catoe emphasized the importance of essential skills that employers seek out such as communication, teamwork and decision-making.
Stallings said students in the Self-Design Major program see that a problem exists and want to be a part of finding a solution using different ideas from many different paths.
