IND 299 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
In this course, you will explore the value of the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BA.GST) degree and how the vast knowledge gained in this diverse educational program gives you an innovative edge professionally, personally, and for civic engagement. As you prepare for your future beyond this degree, it is crucial that you be able to articulate, in a professional manner, how your experience has prepared you for the opportunities you seek. To help you practice the skill of formally defending your experiences, skills, and goals, you will create an academic plan of study for the final project in this course. In this document, you will have the opportunity to illustrate your personally designed strategic plan for achieving your goals and earning a BA.GST degree.
Your academic plan of study will begin with SMART goal planning strategies. You will highlight the diversity of knowledge and skills you plan to attain through the domains of study that supplement the achievement of the goal statement. The next step is defending your concentration, which is a focused area of study and knowledge that supports your completion of the goal statement. You will then compile a comprehensive list of the completed and planned coursework required to earn your degree by the anticipated graduation date. Finally, you will present an extended rationale for your goal and the steps you have outlined to reach that goal. Your perceived professionalism as you present your academic plan is just as important as the content of what you say. Be sure that you cleanly and professionally format your plan and check your document for any spelling and grammar errors.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Three, and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
 Illustrate the applicability of academic learning by explaining its connections and value to personal and professional planning.
 Utilize relevant research in explaining how strengths and weaknesses can be leveraged to achieve personal and professional goals.
 Employ fundamental writing skills in articulating plans of study appropriate for academic and professional audiences.
 Apply fundamental goal principles and strategic planning techniques in supporting feasible plans of academic study.
Prompt
Create an academic plan of study that will explain and support your intention to earn a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree. Begin by forming an achievable goal statement. Then, discuss your prior and planned academic learning and how you can use it to direct your academic and professional planning. Finally, build a case for your plan of study by articulating its value to you moving forward. Remember that this is a formal, professional document that must be formatted and presented in a manner appropriate for academic and professional audiences.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: