Interdisciplinary Studies

A major in interdisciplinary studies is offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for undergraduate students who have unique interdisciplinary educational goals. The major is designed by a faculty review board, the academic adviser, and student. Leading to either the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science degree, the major includes 36 to 48 credits of coursework chosen to provide a coherent, carefully planned program in an area of interest that bridges two or more departments. This specialized area is identified on the diploma.

A student seeking admission to the program in interdisciplinary studies writes a letter of application that explains how the proposed major meets specific educational goals. Applications are screened by a faculty review board. Since students are expected to earn at least 30 credits after they are admitted into the program, the proposal is ordinarily submitted to the review board in the sophomore or junior year. The proposal will be considered if the area of interest properly falls within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and if the student’s educational goals cannot be accommodated by a more traditional combination of existing majors, minors, and electives.

Students who wish to prepare for professional schools in health-related fields and students who wish to develop an area of interest based upon one of the College’s cross-disciplinary programs may wish to propose a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Areas of interest in Interdisciplinary Studies have included Classical Studies, International Relations, Ecology Studies, African American Cultural Studies, Asian Studies, and U.S. Latino/a Studies.

The interdisciplinary studies major must satisfy the requirements of the liberal arts and sciences curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. With the approval of the review board, the student will identify courses leading to either the B.A. or the B.S. degree. (A major emphasizing the humanities or communicative arts normally leads to a B.A.; a major emphasizing the natural or social sciences normally leads to a B.S.) Different requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees are determined by the nature of the chosen field of study.

Courses listed in the major may come from any department of the university with the following restrictions:

1. The selection of courses needs to focus on a single theme and be consistent with the career and educational goals of the student.

2. At least one half of the courses in the major must come from degree-offering departments within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

3. The courses must be chosen from at least two disciplines.

4. The courses chosen for the major must be at the 200 level or higher. Overall, the degree program must include 45 credits at the 300 level or higher, with at least 6 credits at the 400 level or higher.

5. An average grade of C or better must be earned in 15 credits at the 300 level or higher in the major.

6. The university diversity and international perspectives requirement may be met by choosing two 3-credit courses from the approved list.

The following English proficiency requirements applies:

1. An average grade of C or better is to be earned in Engl 104 and 105. If this grade is not achieved, the student will be required to take an additional writing course as appropriate and earn a grade of C or higher.

2. A grade of C or better must be earned in either an advanced English composition course or a course in the major with a significant writing component.