Abstract: The X-Degree concept came about through a proposal that emerged from the strategic planning process – the “X-College option – where "X" stands for "experimental," and also "unknown" or "variable." It was not intended to replace existing colleges, but would serve as a venue in which students could self-select to customize their degrees with faculty guidance, and receive a non-traditional certification of their competencies rather than traditional grades and degrees. The X-College would be a test bed of new techniques for balancing core instruction with problem-based approaches, and would be a laboratory for developing alternatives to regular courses taught in semester-length blocks involving custom-designed learning technologies appropriate to different students. In addition, the X-College could also offer a new one-hour senior-year "exit" course, led by a combination of faculty, recent graduates, and experienced managers as a transition course to professional life.
Project Updates
Dec. 2, 2011 — The X-College committee formed over a year ago to explore the idea of creating a “design your own major” program for Tech, as a way to increase curriculum flexibility and student faculty interaction. The committee is nearing the conclusion of the initial brainstorming phase, and it will be presenting its findings and recommendations for next steps to President G. P. “Bud” Peterson.
October 2, 2011 — Finding the right balance of structure and flexibility has been an ongoing challenge for the committee tasked with developing a plan for a Georgia Tech interdisciplinary “X degree.”
Jan. 6, 2011 — Provost Rafael L. Bras announced the creation of a committee that will review options and formulate strategies for the creation of an X-College, one of the ideas that sprouted from the yearlong strategic planning process.
