ISP  |  CSP  |  DEGREE PROJECT

Illustration majors are eligible to do an ISP or CSP after successful completion of sophomore year. 

Each ISP or CSP counts as 3 credits. Students may take a maximum of 9 ISP/CSP credits towards their degree.

Seniors have the option of undertaking a Senior Degree Project with the supervision of a full-time or part-time faculty member. 

Senior Degree Project Guidelines

A Senior Degree Project  is a year-long, 6-credit project similar to an Independent Study Project, but larger in scope. Like an ISP, it must be approved by the Department Head or Acting Department Head,  but expectations for the scope of the project will be higher, both for the expected final product, and for the solidity of the concept.  If, for example, the project is concerned with a certain historical style of illustration or a certain narrative format,  precedent in this area should be fully researched as part of the project. The work should reflect the outcome of this research, as should the Thesis Paper that, along with the final artwork, constitutes the final submission.

The first step in setting up the project is to write a general project description, defining the topic and its realization in a specific artistic form. The description should be as specific and detailed as possible, taking into account limitations of time and resources. The next step is to arrange for an Advisor for the project. This may be a faculty member with expertise related to the project's focus, or one you have worked with before who is sympathetic to your interests and ambitions.

Once you have made contact with your Advisor and obtained their consent, and they have had a chance to review your plan and make suggestions, you can fill out the ISP  application form. A Senior Degree Project will require two ISP forms to be filled out in sequence, one for each semester, filed by the ISP deadline for each semester, as listed on the Registrar's Academic Calendar. 

The deadline for Fall semester 2026 is May 8, 2026.

Meeting Schedule

As  the project begins, you will need to meet regularly with your Advisor according to the schedule set out on the application form, with the aim of staying on track and relying on their expertise in both the formal and conceptual dimensions of the project. 

Reviews of your progress and finished work will engage both your Advisor and the Department Head and will take place during both the fall and spring semesters. You may also want to  invite your Academic Advisor, or another faculty member. There should be a mid-term meeting and a end of term meeting each semester with this larger group, in addition to weekly  meetings between you and your advisor

Fall Mid-Term: Mid-semester,  as listed on the Academic Calendar

Fall Final: Studio Review week, as listed on the Academic Calendar

Spring Mid-Term: Mid-semester,  as listed on the Academic Calendar

Spring Final: Studio Review week, as listed on the Academic Calendar

Thesis Paper

Your final project in visual form will be accompanied by a thesis paper (minimum 10 pages), submitted a week in advance of the final review in spring semester. You can discuss a potential outline for this paper during the spring semester with your Advisor.

For more information, please reach out to Fritz Drury, Illustration Department Lead Advisor