Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdepartmental Undergraduate Major

Administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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 student, a faculty review board, and an academic adviser design the major. 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. Learning goals are individually crafted for each proposed major.

A degree in Interdisciplinary Studies may be particularly attractive to students who wish to develop an area of interest based upon one of the College’s cross-disciplinary programs. 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.

A student seeking admission to the program in interdisciplinary studies writes a letter of application that explains how the proposed major meets specific educational and learning goals. A faculty review board screens applications. 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 met by a more traditional combination of existing majors, minors, and electives.

The interdisciplinary studies major must satisfy the requirements of the liberal arts and sciences curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 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 individualized 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 will come from departments within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
3. The courses will be chosen from at least two disciplines.

All courses in the major must be at the 200-level or higher. At least 15 credits must be at the 300-level or higher with at least 6 credits at the 400-level or higher. An average grade of C or better must be earned in 15 credits at the 300-level or higher in the major. To meet the English and communication proficiency requirement, a grade of C or better must be earned in ENGL 250 and in either an advanced English composition course or a course in the major with a significant writing component.

Further information may be obtained from the LAS College Student Academic Services office.