Prospective Students
A Unique IDEA for Students
Thank you for your interest in IDEA! As a consortium of 20 renowned public universities from across the United States, IDEA offers students the unique opportunity to earn a degree or certificate while learning from expert faculty at multiple universities. This not only allows students to expand the breadth and depth of their studies but also expand their network with like-minded individuals.
All classes are taken entirely online, offering flexibility and convenience for working professionals and those balancing work, home, and academic responsibilities.
Find Your Program & Choose Your University
IDEA offers more than 20 programs across the human sciences and agriculture disciplines.
Once you’ve determined which program is right for you, you need to choose which university you’d like to call home. You’ll find a list of participating universities on the program’s webpage. That list will connect you to each university so you can learn more about how the program is facilitated there.
Not sure which university to choose as your home university? Consider the following as you research your options:
- Requirements and timelines for admissions and graduation
- Requirements for a culminating experience such as a final exam, master’s report, thesis, practicum, or project
- Faculty research interest that might influence your decision
- The degree title printed on your diploma as determined by the home university rather than the IDEA program
- Any policy for students who stop-out due to unexpected life events but plan to return to the program after a semester or two.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Through IDEA, students pay one common price per credit hour for graduate courses or undergraduate courses at all member universities, regardless of the program or where students live.
Financial Aid
Students seeking federal financial aid assistance must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine eligibility for aid. Member university financial aid offices are available to answer specific financial aid questions about individual student needs.
Scholarships
Your home university likely has scholarship resources on its website, or your campus coordinator can also direct you to scholarship information at your home university. We have numerous resources and tips.
A Welcoming Community
Choosing IDEA for your academic journey means partnering with faculty and staff from multiple universities who provide a student-centered, collaborative, educational experience. Feel confident knowing your options once you're a current student.
Supporting Our Students
As the primary point of contact between students and universities, campus coordinators are your go-to support for any question you may have. Our campus coordinators are here to offer guidance on course availability and enrollment details, direct you to university resources and offices, and communicate important deadlines throughout the semester.
If you have a question and you’re unsure who to contact, reach out to a campus coordinator.
Hear From Our Students
| "In addition to the flexible learning environment and knowledgeable faculty, another benefit that’s been a pleasant and unexpected surprise are the meaningful connections I have made with other students from all over the country." | |
| "If you're someone who wears many different hats throughout the day, this is a program that allows you to be flexible to work as your need." | |
| "It offered a really holistic learning perspective in the online classroom environment." |
Transfer Students
IDEA member universities provide a pathway for you to receive credit from past coursework, allowing you to save on tuition and shorten your time to program completion. You can find more information on our transfer students page.
If you’d like to talk about transferring credits with someone at the university before applying there, we recommend you get in touch with the campus coordinator at the university where you wish to apply.
A Great Military Partner
IDEA is proud to support military-connected students. If you have active Veterans Affairs (VA) or other applicable military benefits, the cost of your classes may be covered. Consult your home university's military aid office for clarification of your eligibility and using benefits.
INFO FOR MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS
International Students
IDEA provides a unique opportunity for international students to take courses from multiple accredited U.S. universities, regardless of their location. Visit our directory of application information to access links to international admissions websites at member universities.
Info for International Students
Apply Today
To get started, first select your program of interest; each program is offered by a select group of our member universities. You can select any of the universities offering your program as your home university, which is the institution from which you will receive your diploma.
