Programs of Emphasis (POE)

Individually Designed Areas of Academic Concentration

Alma College’s POE concentration has nothing to do with celebrated poet . It has everything to do with preparing students for success in their chosen careers.

POE is an Alma acronym for Program of Emphasis, an academic option for students who desire an interdisciplinary focus that builds beyond traditional majors. With the assistance of a faculty advisor, students may design their own area of concentration to meet specific educational or career goals, constructing a rationale for their course choices, a unifying structure and senior capstone project.

Students find POEs appealing because they combine disciplines that are not typically combined. No two POEs are alike as each one is tailored to the specific needs of the individual student.

In recent years, students have graduated with POEs in such fields as environmental policy, foreign service, international relations, music technology and digital media, anthropology and museum studies, personnel administration and pre-gerontology.

Students pursuing POEs often develop independent relationships with multiple faculty members. Many also receive recognition or interest outside of Alma College because of the focused commitment that is inherent in obtaining a POE. Alma faculty are enthusiastic about POEs because they highlight independent learning and real intellectual curiosity.

Who do I contact to find out more about pursuing a Program of Emphasis?

Talk first to faculty members who know your work and who might serve as likely mentors. Program of Emphasis applications (PDF, 85Kb) are available from the Provost’s Office Website. Submit completed applications to the Provost’s Office for review by a POE committee.

How many credits must I take to fulfill the requirements for a Program of Emphasis?

With the assistance of a faculty advisor, students design a concentration comprising 56 to 68 credits in academic courses — and often independent study, internships and practica — to meet specific educational or career goals. All POEs also include a senior capstone activity.

Alma’s close faculty-student interaction provides numerous benefits such as the ability to do undergraduate research on a graduate level. Alma’s professors treat students more as peers welcoming student input and collaboration on faculty projects. When students are involved in research, faculty aggressively pursue publication of findings including students as co-authors.