This option is offered within the following major(s):

• Natural Resources - College of Forestry

Also available at OSU-Cascades and via Ecampus.

A specialty option is a required part of the Natural Resources major that allows the students to develop depth and focus in a particular area of natural resource management.

The Individualized Specialty Option (ISO) is a student-designed option that allows a student to tailor their academic program to specific goals or interests. In consultation with their academic advisor, students will develop a program of study that meets their goals, as well as program requirements. The student is required to submit a proposal for approval by the Natural Resources Program Director. Students should contact their assigned academic advisor for information on developing an Individualized Specialty option.

Option Code: 676

A Specialty Option in the Natural Resources major requires a minimum of 37 credits including at least 20 upper division credits and a minimum GPA of 2.25.

Students pursuing the Individualized Specialty Option (ISO) are required to develop a proposal for approval by the Natural Resource Program Director. The proposal should encompass the following:

1.  Define the academic program of study (list of courses) that follows these criteria:

• A minimum of 37 credits including at least 20 upper division credits.
• The combined GPA of the courses used in the ISO must be at least 2.25
• No courses are allowed to double count with the Natural Resources major requirements but may double count for Baccalaureate Core or Writing Intensive course requirements.
• Include a description of the skills and knowledge that each course contributes to the academic program of study.
• The academic program of study may include up to 6 credits of internships, projects or study abroad that may be used to fulfill requirements in the specialty option.

2. Create a title for the Individualized Specialty Option that encompasses the professional goals and reflects the coursework in the academic program of study. Title is not transcripted.

3. Write a two - three page essay that describes the career and academic goals, relevant past experience and education, and a rationale for the courses that were included in the academic plan of study.

4. The proposal must be professionally written, proof read and submitted at least 6 terms prior to the anticipated graduation term.

The proposal is reviewed by an advisor to make sure that the criteria is met and then submitted to the Natural Resource Program Director for approval. Proposals not meeting the academic expectations of the program and university will not be approved or may be required to be resubmitted. Approved proposal coursework is entered into MyDegrees and the student will work with their assigned academic advisor to create a plan for degree completion. The Individualized Specialty Option can be revised if needed by submitting a new proposal with the program of study revisions and an updated essay.

Option Code: 676