On this page:
- Why Choose Interdisciplinary Studies?
- Careers
- Real-World Experience
- Academics and Curriculum
- Admission
Why Choose Interdisciplinary Studies?
A Bachelor of Arts in IDS will hone your ingenuity, flexibility, and problem-solving skills—all highly valued by employers. In addition to completing 3 core required courses, you’ll be free to chart your own educational path by selecting upper-level electives to complete the degree you want, with a possible online pathway to degree completion.
Students with appropriate prior learning and/or work experience may obtain credit through Prior Learning Assessment.
Nearly all liberal arts certificate programs and minors are stackable within the B.A. in IDS degree, such as:
- African and African American Studies
- Arts Management
- Classical Languages and Culture
- Career Advancement Skills I and Career Advancement Skills II
- Philosophy
- Geographic Information Science
- Comparative Religion
- National Security Studies
- Fundamentals of Crime and Justice Studies
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
The B.A. in IDS is ideal for:
- Transfer students
- Returning adult students
- Students seeking online possibilities
- Busy working professionals
- Active-duty military and veterans
- Students who change their majors partway through their programs
- Students who have a range of interests
Careers
The Interdisciplinary Studies major provides a strong foundation in core areas of critical thinking, writing proficiency, ethics, and interpersonal communication. Equipped with such skills, Interdisciplinary Studies students are well prepared to adapt to the vicissitudes of constantly changing economic conditions and work environments.
Combining courses in English, communications, and history may prepare you for a career in journalism or other media. Combining fine arts courses with other disciplines may open opportunities in marketing or management for museums and art galleries. A combination of philosophy, political science, and classics would even be an effective pre-law curriculum. Because the range of disciplines available is so broad, your possible career options are almost limitless.
Real-World Experience
You will be encouraged to enhance your program of study by pursuing opportunities for experiential learning, such as:
- Study abroad. For more information, contact the University Center for International Education.
- Internships: For more information, contact the Center for Liberal Arts Student Success.
- Student clubs: For more information, contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.
Academics and Curriculum
You will take 3 core courses that introduce you to basic issues and practices necessary for success in an interdisciplinary liberal arts program. These courses are: LA 3100 Ethics and Values, LA 3200 Cultures and Societies, and LA 4000 Interdisciplinary Research.
There are no academic discipline distribution requirements for the B.A. in IDS degree. You will complete all liberal arts requirements, which include the core plus language and research. You will then take 24 credit hours in any academic discipline, 18 of which must be liberal arts courses (of which 15 must be upper level).
Liberal Arts courses include the following subject areas:
- Fine and Performing Arts: Art, Art History, Music, Theater Arts
- Social Sciences: Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Urban Affairs, Geography,
- Humanities: Classical Languages and Cultures, Communication, English, History, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Religion
Students with appropriate prior learning and/or work experience may obtain credit through Prior Learning Assessment.
View Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Admission
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is a new offering beginning in Fall Semester 2025. If you are a current student and wish to change majors, submit a Major/Minor Change Request by logging in to WINGS, then select Student Academics under Your Launchpad. If you are an undecided/exploratory student, talk to your advisor about majoring in interdisciplinary studies.