FAQ

We are an office dedicated to accompanying undergraduate students in exploring their directions and planning their learning. Whether you are struggling with course selection, considering cross-disciplinary combinations, wondering which programs may be most beneficial, or feeling uncertain about your future direction, we are here to discuss these topics with you together.

Faculty advisors typically provide guidance from a departmental perspective, while the Career Center focuses on employment and internships. We, on the other hand, help you integrate the learning aspect of your university experience—including course selection, cross-disciplinary planning, academic programs, and connections to career development—extending from your four years in college to your future beyond graduation.

Please visit our official website to click the appointment link and complete the appointment form. Once we have confirmed your submission, we will send you an advising session notification. Simply attend the session on time. Each advising session is generally limited to no more than 50 minutes.

No worries at all! As long as you have questions, concerns, or thoughts related to your learning, you are welcome. You may bring simple questions, your course schedule, your study plan, or even a sense of uncertainty to the session—any of these are perfectly fine.

With your permission, advising sessions may be audio-recorded for service improvement purposes. Your consent will be requested in advance, and you may choose not to be recorded. Your preference will be fully respected.

Not at all. If you have more questions after your session, you're always welcome to book another appointment.

If you would like to connect with faculty members in specific fields, please indicate this in the appointment form. We can help facilitate connections and recommend appropriate faculty so that your questions can be discussed directly with the right people.

Yes! In addition to formal advising sessions, you may also:

1. Email us at advising@nycu.edu.tw, and we will respond to your questions.
2. Stop by and chat with us during our activity booths—feel free to ask one or two questions in a relaxed setting.

There is no need to worry about having to meet face-to-face. We are happy to support you and help clarify your questions through different channels.

Of course! We will work with you to develop a course planning blueprint tailored to you, based on your interests, time availability, and future goals.

Common Differences Among Cross-Disciplinary Options

1. Micro-program

• Credits required: 8–12 credits
• Certificate / Diploma notation: Certificate of completion (not noted on the diploma)
• Suitable for: Students who wish to explore a field in the short term

2. Credit Program

• Credits required: 12 credits or more
• Certificate / Diploma notation: Certificate of completion (not noted on the diploma)
• Suitable for: Students who want to study an additional thematic area

3. Cross-disciplinary Program

• Credits required: Approximately 30 credits
• Certificate / Diploma notation: Cross-disciplinary specialization noted on the diploma
• Suitable for: Students seeking cross-disciplinary development

4. Minor

• Credits required: 20 credits or more
• Certificate / Diploma notation: Minor noted on the diploma
• Suitable for: Students who want to take core courses from another department

5. Double Major

• Credits required: All required courses of another department plus approximately 35 credits
• Certificate / Diploma notation: Dual degrees; both departments listed on the diploma
• Suitable for: Students seeking dual specializations and two degrees

Things to consider before choosing

• How many credits you are able to manage
• Whether you are aiming for a certificate or a degree

Things to consider before choosing

✔️ How many credits you are able to manage

✔️ Whether you are aiming for a certificate or a degree

General Rule: Students may not enroll in two courses scheduled at the same time. If a schedule conflict occurs, grades for both courses will be recorded as X.

Special Cases (Application Required):

• Virtual Schedule Conflict: The timetable appears to conflict, but the courses do not actually overlap (e.g., held in different weeks, flexible scheduling, or a mix of online and in-person formats). After confirmation by the offering unit, students should obtain the Virtual Schedule Conflict Application Form from the Curriculum Division.
• Retake Course Conflict: For retaking a previously failed course, one class hour per week is allowed each semester. Students must use the Retake Course Conflict Application Form.

Yes. Because the application proposal represents the overall presentation of your plan, having a conversation with an academic advisor beforehand can help confirm that your direction and course design align with the program framework. It can also help review the logic of your application content, making your application more complete and clearly expressed.

No. The purpose of the advising session is not to evaluate you, but to help you clarify your direction and confirm that your application content is complete. The materials that actually affect the review outcome are the final application form and study plan you submit, which are reviewed by the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program Committee. The advising session simply serves as an additional safety net to help you avoid omissions or misunderstandings of the regulations.

Great! Welcome to our list of channels to stay connected!

• Instagram: @nycu_advising
• Facebook: 陽明交大學習規劃辦公室
• Official Website: All updates and announcements will be posted here
• Email: advising@nycu.edu.tw — important announcements will also be shared via university-wide emails
• Booths / Events: You’ll find us at freshman fairs, information sessions, and lectures

Following just one channel is enough to stay updated—and following them all means you won’t miss a thing!

We occasionally host the “Talk with an Alumnus” series, where you can hear firsthand about course-taking experiences and university life across different fields. Follow our social media and website for the latest updates so you don’t miss out!

The Self-Directed Interdisciplinary Program offers a flexible pathway for students to design an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree that reflects their individual interests, learning goals, and future aspirations.

NYCU undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester are eligible to apply.

✔️ Before applying, students must complete at least two courses from a microprogram, credit program, or interdisciplinary program administered by a unit other than their home department, then submit a study plan.

✔️ The number of students admitted each academic year is generally limited to 2% of the second-year undergraduate population.

1. Step 1 | Check Your Eligibility
   You may apply after completing at least one semester of undergraduate study and completing at least two courses offered through a Micro Program, Credit Program, or Cross-Disciplinary Program outside your home department.


2. Step 2 | Submit Your Application
   Submit your application through the NYCU Portal via the Grading System, then print your application form.


3. Step 3 | Prepare Your Proposal and Supporting Documents
   Complete the Self-Directed Interdisciplinary Program Proposal and prepare your academic transcript, current semester course registration, and any additional supporting documents.


4. Step 4 | Attend an Academic Advising Session
   During the application period, meet with an Academic Advisor from the Office of Academic Advising to discuss your learning goals, curriculum plan, and proposal.


5. Step 5 | Complete the Approval Process
   Obtain all required signatures on the application form, including those of the applicant, the Office of Academic Advising, and your home department, then submit the printed application form.


6. Step 6 | Upload Your Application Documents
   Upload the electronic copies of all required application documents according to the application instructions.


7. Step 7 | Committee Review
   Your application will be reviewed by the Self-Directed Interdisciplinary Program Committee. The review results will be sent to you and your home department.

• Motivation and Learning Goals: Clear and specific.
• Proposed Field of Study: You may propose your own field and degree title, subject to approval.
• Course Plan: Design a curriculum of at least 50 credits using one of the following combinations:
  Two interdisciplinary programs
  One interdisciplinary program + two microprograms
  Five microprograms and/or credit programs
  You may also propose a self-designed microprogram, subject to approval.

• The same course cannot count toward two degrees (no double counting).
• An interdisciplinary program cannot also serve as the second-specialization module of your home department.
• If any course credits overlap, you must take additional courses and submit a written report.

Yes. You must submit an application to the Office of Academic Affairs and obtain approval from the Degree Committee. Changes may be requested only once per academic year.

• Complete all required courses and credits. Students graduating solely with the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree must complete at least 128 credits.
• Complete a Self-directed Interdisciplinary Graduation Project of at least 3 credits.
• Submit a project proposal and confirm the project topic and presentation format before the final exam week of the semester preceding graduation.

• If you cannot complete the requirements or wish to discontinue the program, submit an application to the Office of Academic Affairs for approval and official registration.
• If you meet the graduation requirements for this degree but not those of your home department, you may apply to relinquish your home department and graduate with the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree.

• An interdisciplinary program is a single course module, while this degree combines multiple programs across departments and colleges into a complete degree.
• A double major requires completing the curricula of two established departments, while this degree allows you to flexibly combine interdisciplinary programs, credit programs, and microprograms.

• Yes. NYCU provides a comprehensive academic advising network. Academic advisors can help you clarify and plan your learning pathway.
• After admission, the Degree Committee will appoint a faculty advisor, and students may also form learning communities for peer support.

• Your degree certificate and official academic transcript will indicate the “Self-directed Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree” and your approved field of study.
• If you withdraw from the degree, any completed microprograms, credit programs, or interdisciplinary programs may still be recognized with certificates or a second-specialization notation, subject to the relevant regulations.

No. A self-designed microprogram must meet the minimum credit requirement, have a clear theme, include related and coherent courses, and contain a capstone course. It may be established only after completing the University’s three-level, three-stage review process.

We occasionally host the “Talk with an Alumnus” series, where you can hear firsthand about course-taking experiences and university life across different fields. Follow our social media and website for the latest updates so you don’t miss out!

According to the NYCU Regulations for Double Majors:

• Undergraduate students: May pursue a bachelor's degree offered by another department or degree program at NYCU as a second major.
• Master's and doctoral students: May pursue a second major offered by another college, department, institute, or degree program at NYCU.
• Exclusion: Students enrolled in in-service master's programs are not eligible.

• Undergraduate students: From the second year of study until the end of the third week of classes in the first semester of the final extended year of study.
• Master's and doctoral students: From the second semester through the end of the sixth semester.

Applications must be submitted within the deadline specified in the University Academic Calendar. Late applications will not be accepted.

Approval must be obtained from both the home department and the second-major department or institute. The application must then be submitted to the Registration Division for official registration. Master's and doctoral students who have passed their degree examination only need approval from the second-major department or institute.

• Undergraduate students: In addition to completing the graduation requirements of the home department, students must complete all required courses and designated electives of the second-major department. Courses that overlap with home-department requirements may be waived upon approval. However, students must still complete at least 35 credits for the second major; any shortfall must be made up with courses designated by the second-major department.
• Master's and doctoral students: Students must complete the credit requirements of both departments or institutes. In principle, they must also write two theses or dissertations with different topics and content, unless the two departments or institutes have an agreement for joint thesis or dissertation supervision.

Courses completed and passed at NYCU or another institution may be recognized if they:
Have not been counted toward the graduation credits of the home department, and
Fulfill the required-course requirements of the second-major department.
Recognition is subject to approval by the second-major department or institute.

Students register for courses each semester following the same procedures as other students. Courses, credits, and grades from both the home department and the second-major department or institute are combined and recorded on the official academic transcript.

Students must submit an application form, obtain approval from the second-major department or institute, and send it to the Office of Academic Affairs to withdraw from the double-major program.

Whether previously completed courses may count as electives toward the home-major requirements is determined by the home department.

• Undergraduate students: After using the standard two-year extension, students may apply for one additional year. If the requirements are still not completed, they will graduate with a degree from their home department only.
• Master's and doctoral students: Students who have passed the degree examination of their home department or institute may apply for a one-year extension. If they still do not complete the graduation requirements of the second-major department or institute, they will graduate with a degree from their home department or institute only.

• Undergraduate students: If the second-major department determines that the minor requirements have been met, the student may be granted minor status.
• Master's and doctoral students: Students may apply for review in accordance with the regulations of the second-major department or institute to determine whether minor status may be granted.

No additional credit fees are required during the standard period of study. However, undergraduate students in an extended period of study who take double-major courses must pay tuition and credit fees according to the fee standards for extended-study students.

Students who complete all double-major requirements will have the name of the second-major department or institute indicated on the graduation roster, official academic transcript, and degree certificate. Students who do not complete the requirements may not apply for any double-major certificate.
For master's and doctoral students, the degree certificate will be issued in the month when the grade for the second thesis or dissertation defense is finalized.

• Undergraduate students: From the second year of study until the add/drop deadline in the first semester of the final year of the standard period of study. Applications may not be submitted during an extended period of study.
• Graduate students: From the second semester through the end of the fourth semester.

If a required course for the minor overlaps with a required course for the major, it cannot be counted toward the minor requirements. The minor department will designate a relevant elective course to make up the credits.

Possibly. A previously completed course may be recognized toward the minor if it: Has not been counted toward the minimum graduation credits of the majorm, and Fulfills the minor requirements. Recognition is subject to approval by the minor department or institute.

Yes. Students must submit an application, obtain approval from the minor department or institute, and forward it to the Office of Academic Affairs to officially withdraw from the minor.

Whether completed and passed courses may count as electives toward the major is determined by the home department.

Undergraduate students who have completed at least half of the minimum credits required for a minor may apply for an extension of the study period.

Undergraduate students with an extended study period: Tuition and fees must be paid according to the fee standards for students with an extended study period.

A Micro Program is a forward-looking course module consisting of 8–12 credits centered on a specific theme. It allows you to explore new fields beyond your major!

There is no official limit. However, you should consider your time and course load. For each microprogram, at least 4 credits must come from courses outside your major, double major, or minor.

Once you complete all required courses and credits with passing grades, you may apply to the Registration Division for a Microprogram Certificate—an official record of your interdisciplinary learning achievement.

Yes. A previously completed course may count toward a microprogram if it is included in the program curriculum and approved by the program's administering unit.

No. Students may not apply for an extension of the study period solely to complete a microprogram, so you can explore interdisciplinary learning without extending your studies.

In principle, each microprogram must offer at least three courses per semester. The administering unit coordinates its course offerings with the Office of Academic Affairs to help students complete the program successfully.

A credit program is a structured set of interdisciplinary courses offered across departments or colleges. Upon completion, you may receive a Credit Program Certificate. It allows you to systematically study a specific field without changing your major.

Each Credit Program requires at least 12 credits, although programs are generally designed to include no fewer than 16 credits. At least one-third of the required-course credits must be different from the required courses of your home department to ensure interdisciplinary learning.

You must apply by the add/drop deadline of your final semester.

Application steps:

1. Submit the application form and your academic transcript to your home department.
2. After review, obtain approval from the program coordinator.
3. The Registration Division will complete the official registration.

No. Students may not apply for an extension of the study period solely to complete a credit program, as explicitly stated in Article 8 of the regulations.

Once you complete all required courses and credits with passing grades, you may apply through the program's administering unit. Upon approval, the Registration Division will issue a Credit Program Certificate as an official record of your interdisciplinary learning achievement.

Simply put:

• Credit Program ➜ Larger in scope (at least 12 credits), with a structured curriculum focused on an interdisciplinary professional field.
• Microprogram ➜ Smaller in scope (8–12 credits), with a focused theme and greater emphasis on exploration.

Want to develop a second specialization without taking many extra credits? An interdisciplinary program lets you explore a new field without significantly increasing your graduation requirements. Once completed, your degree certificate will include a “Second Specialization” notation.

Yes! All currently enrolled NYCU undergraduate students are eligible to apply.

Application information is announced every March. Submit the required documents through the Academic Records System by the deadline. Once approved by both departments, you may begin taking courses.
For details, visit the Application section of the Interdisciplinary Programs website.

Yes！There is no limit on the number of interdisciplinary programs you may apply for, but you must submit a separate application for each program.

Requirements vary by program. If you have relevant coursework or foundational skills, highlight them in your application materials to strengthen your application.

In principle, students should follow the program curriculum. If any courses overlap or cover similar content, consult the department offering the second specialization to determine whether they may be transferred or replaced with other courses.

Yes. You may complete the remaining courses before graduation. If needed, the study period may generally be extended for up to two years.

It may be challenging, as most programs take three to four semesters to complete. Courses are usually structured in sequence, progressing from foundational to core and advanced courses.

Yes! However, credits from overlapping courses may only count toward one program.

No additional fees are required. However, if you extend your study period, tuition and fees will be charged according to the University's fee standards. For details, please contact the Registration Division.

You can check previous years'course schedules to plan ahead, but always refer to the officially announced schedule for the current semester.

Start with foundational courses, then choose core and specialized courses based on your interests. If you are unsure, consult your interdisciplinary program advisor.

Enrollment priority varies by program. Please refer to the relevant Interdisciplinary Program website for details.

You may apply to withdraw from the interdisciplinary program and complete the graduation requirements of your home department instead.
The application form is available on the Interdisciplinary Programs website → Forms → Application to Withdraw from an Interdisciplinary Program.