HASS Integrative Pathway | HASS Core Requirement
All undergraduate students must have an area of focus in their HASS studies that is accomplished by completing an approved 12-credit depth concentration, known as an Integrative Pathway. This is an element of the HASS Core.
Objectives and Outcomes:
- An Integrative Pathway provides consistency to what could otherwise be an unfocused array of courses in the HASS Core.
- An Integrative Pathway augments intellectual coherence to course selection in the form of disciplinary or interdisciplinary themes.
- An Integrative Pathway can enhance or enrich a major. For example, a Computer Science major following the Artificial Intelligence pathway or a Biomedical Engineering major following the Public Health pathway.
- Integrative Pathways guide students toward a specific selection of courses, aiding students in deciding between wide ranges of course options.
- Integrative Pathways can be selected to meet several HASS requirements concurrently. For example, a course that is required in the selected pathway may be both a HASS Inquiry course and Communication Intensive, thus satisfying multiple requirements simultaneously.
- If courses are chosen wisely, many Integrative Pathways can be transformed into minors with just one additional course.
- Integrative Pathways may lead students to discover an area of interest and courses for the Integrative Pathways can be a significant part of a major.
- The first course in your Pathway may be a HASS Inquiry course, but it does not have to be.
- You will declare your HASS Pathway in SIS, and the requirements will populate in DegreeWorks.
- No course within the Pathway sequence may be taken as Pass/No Credit.
- Some Pathways have the option of becoming a HASS Minor with one additional course.
- Students may switch pathways if it is feasible to complete the new pathway's requirements before graduation.
Common Questions:
As part of this graduation requirement, you must declare your Pathway in SIS.
Students should aim to complete their Pathway by the end of their fifth semester, or a full Academic Year before their planned commencement.
- The target completion date will vary across programs.
- Students should work with their advisors to ensure timely completion of the pathway requirement.
No. Independent Studies and Undergraduate Research (URP) cannot be used to fulfill Pathways.
No. Students may not create their own Pathway.
- Students must fulfill their selected Pathway by following the requirements outlined in their Catalog Year.
- Students should not deviate from the listed courses.
- Some Topics Courses (non-Catalog courses) may apply to Pathways.
Students wishing to add breadth beyond an existing Pathway or Minor are advised to use additional HASS Core courses or Free Electives.
No. The first course in your Pathway may be a HASS Inquiry (HI) course, but it does not have to be.
- First-year students must take a HASS Inquiry (HI) course within their 1st two semesters as part of the HASS Core.
- These requirements can be satisfied within or outside of the Pathway.
- Most Pathways contain one or more HI courses.
- If a Pathway does not contain an HI course, students must take an HI course outside of their Pathway.
Transfer students should consult with their Academic Advisor for questions regarding the HI requirement.
No. Courses within your Pathway may be Communication Intensive (CI) or at the 4000-level, but they do not have to be.
- Students must follow the requirements outlined in the Catalog for each unique Pathway.
- Students must take a CI course and a 4000-level HASS course as part of the HASS Core.
- These requirements can be satisfied within or outside of the Pathway.
- Most Pathways contain one or more of these requirements.
Yes. Most Pathways have an associated HASS minor by taking with one additional course.
Please see the list of Pathways listed in your Cohort's Catalog for additional information about compatible minors for each Pathway.
No. Students cannot Pass/No Credit on any courses that will be used to fulfill Pathway requirements.
Yes, however, you may only switch to a Pathway (PW) included in your Cohort's Catalog Year.
- Ensure that you can fulfill the requirements of the new PW before graduation.
- If there are questions about other PW options, students should first connect with their Advisor.
Unsure what Catalog Year you should follow? Reach out to your Advisor or Hub!
Yes. Courses that transfer in as named courses that are part of a Pathway will be counted toward the Pathway requirement. Courses that transfer in as HASS General Electives may be eligible to count toward a Pathway depending on the curriculum requirements. The Associate Dean of HASS will review requests for approval.
- First-Year Students, a maximum of 8 credits from AP courses and transfer courses combined can be applied toward a Pathway/HASS Core.
- Transfer Students, please review your HASS Core requirements here.
Important Note: Students who wish to apply transfer credits toward a Pathway should note that the Pathway requirement is specified in terms of the number of credits (12), not the number of courses. If a 3-credit transfer course is applied toward a Pathway, the 1-credit gap must still be fulfilled to complete the graduation requirement. The 1-credit must be be relevant to the Pathway and could result in taking another 4-credit course at RPI.
Where to find the Integrative Pathways:
- The course requirements for each Pathway are laid out in the Academic Catalog.
- Pathway options vary depending on your Cohort’s Catalog.
- You must follow the curriculum requirements as outlined in your Catalog.
- Video steps on how to find Pathway options per Catalog Year (video has no sound).
Interest and declaration of a Pathway will not guarantee access to completing the Pathway. During consultation, please check for course availability, course restrictions, and available seats. Students should meet with their Academic Advisor for additional support in navigating degree requirements.
Find the Academic Catalog on the Registrar’s Website