Self Designed Master's Degree Program

The Self Designed Master's Degree Program (SDMD) is a 36-credit Master's degree that allows students to study and research unique areas of interest from anywhere in the world.

Students are invited to formulate a research question or pursue a professional goal that calls for creating new understanding across disciplines. Students in this program are often ahead of their time, studying unique topics and working in emerging fields.

Customize your courses and your schedule

Students participate in three, one-credit asynchronous colloquia and work independently during their semesters with guidance from a faculty advisor. The program’s flexibility allows students to work from anywhere in the world.

"These men and women were independent-minded and had a clear idea of what they wanted to do."

-Cynthia Cole, Independent Study Degree Program, founding director

What sets the SDMD program apart from others is that it offers you the unique opportunity to manage your learning—through courses, independent studies, conferences, workshops, and internships both inside and outside of Lesley University's offerings. This enables students to truly cross disciplines and integrate who they are, with what they know.

Make the most of your degree

Former students of the program have gone on to pursue doctoral programs, publish work, and establish themselves as leaders in their specialized professional fields, which include:

• Music pedagogy
• Yoga psychology
• Contemplative studies
• Integrative Holisitc Health
• Multicultural education
• Alternative Education, including Montessori and Reggio Emilia
• Non-profit management
• Women and gender studies

Please take a closer look at our current student and alumni profiles for specific examples.