Individualized Professional Studies

A.A.S.

The 60-credit Individualized Professional Studies (IPS) A.A.S. is a personalized, cost-effective, accelerated degree designed for adult learners to obtain career goals that can’t be met by completing any other program offered at the college. Using a structured process with guidance from Inver Hills faculty and advisors, you will create a college-approved emphasis in an area related to your field of work.

The IPS A.A.S. degree allows you to build on your vocational credits, technical credits and/or work experience. This degree is right for you if you plan on going directly into the workforce. If your goal is transferring to a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree, you should pursue the IPS A.S. degree.

The IPS A.A.S. program allows you to use previously earned college credits and Credit for Prior Learner (CPL) to earn your degree. CPL gives you the opportunity to translate into college credits the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through your life and work experiences. The purpose of the IPS A.A.S. degree is getting you to graduation day in a more cost effective and expedient manner.

Individualized Professional Studies Program Planning Guide

2023-2024 Required Courses

Individualized Professional Studies

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	General Education Credits All courses must support stated degree objectives but may come from any discipline including liberal arts ‡	44
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	Choose from the following highly recommended	0-4
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
INTS 1010	FYE - Educational Planning and Assessment	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 02 Explores concepts and processes in higher education to help adult learners develop a comprehensive academic plan that encompasses their professional and personal goals, also examining the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process for earning college credit by integrating practical application/knowledge and theory. Students will develop educational goals, an individualized degree plan, analyze knowledge/skills gained from life and work experiences that may translate in to college credit, and have the potential to prepare for the completion of a PLA. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: INTS 1011 Prior Learning Assessment Development Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024
INTS 1011	Prior Learning Assessment Development	1
Course Outline Credits: 1 Examines the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process for earning college credit by integrating practical application/knowledge and theory. Students will analyze knowledge and skills gained through work and life experiences and prepare for the completion of a minimum of one PLA, which includes new learning and written documentation to substantiate competence in the subject matter. Prerequisites: CBE1102 or permission of instructor or program director and placement into ENG 0099 or above. Prerequisites: INTS 1010 FYE - Educational Planning and Assessment Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Individualized Professional Studies		44

General Education Curriculum

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
ENG 1108	Writing And Research Skills	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Provides instruction and practice in reading, researching, and writing for college. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: ENG 0108 Workshop for Writing and Research Skills Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024
COMM 1100 COMM 1110 COMM 2230	Interpersonal Communication OR Public Speaking OR Small Group Communication	3
Interpersonal Communication Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 07 Is a course that helps students recognize that we live and work in relationship with others and must communicate effectively with them to achieve our goals. This class helps students acquire the skills to effectively communicate with family members, intimate others, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. After reviewing relevant interpersonal theory, students will examine and identify their own communication attitudes and behaviors. Students will also learn and apply techniques for improving communication in their relationships through active practice. Students will participate in multiple activities, both in and outside the classroom setting, to build their interpersonal communication skills. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 7, Standard 6C, D, F, & G. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 Public Speaking Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Is the introductory study of the theory and practice of public speaking. Public presentation skills are required for individuals to be successful in our workplaces, communities and many other contexts in today's society. Students will learn about the different types of public speeches commonly encountered and learn how to research, organize and write their ideas into clear and understandable forms of public communication. Students will also practice the delivery skills needed to present ideas effectively. Students will be required to speak and participate often and will also be required to present their speeches in a classroom setting with an audience of their peers and an instructor. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 Small Group Communication Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Introduces students to the practice and theory of communicating in small group settings. Working in groups is an integral part of living in today's society. Community and workplace situations require us to be able to lead, participate, and follow effectively. Participating in this course will assist students in developing the leadership, conflict management, problem solving and discussion skills necessary to function in group settings. Students will apply small group communication theory in small, task-oriented groups and develop presentation skills to showcase their understanding of what it means to be an effective group member. Evaluating the effectiveness of their own and others' group communication behaviors is also required. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) † OR General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) †	3
General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5) †	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6) †	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in General Education Curriculum		16

Total Credits:

† Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.
‡ Electives may be 1000 level courses from any discipline, including additional MnTC Courses. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENG, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.