MajorsCertificates

Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A., M.S.)

Develop your own path to professional and scholarly growth.

We offer individual interdisciplinary graduate programs designed by you in cooperation with an adviser and representatives from the selected programs. You must have an undergraduate degree with a general cumulative grade-point average of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale, and submit a formal written request for an individually designed interdisciplinary program to your faculty adviser and graduate committee.

The interdisciplinary program does not replace established graduate programs. Rather, it is a specific program drawn from several disciplines to meet your specific needs — frequently for job-related requirements. The program you develop must produce interrelated applications of specific disciplines and skills at the graduate level. For instance, a clinical dietitian employed in a hospital may seek graduate-level expertise in counseling and education for patients with chemical dependencies and for teaching interns. Such a student finds that a Master of Science degree in the interdisciplinary program serves the special needs for a broader knowledge base encompassing physiology, communication and counseling.

For example, in the humanities, a student may seek graduate-level expertise in historical preservation. A student may find that the interdisciplinary program serves his or her special needs in history, art and public administration.

Your degree will be either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science. Your program should involve several disciplines and be directed by one faculty member from each discipline. These faculty members constitute your advisory committee. The final program will be drawn up and approved by the advisory committee. Copies will be sent to the chairs of the departments involved.

The interdisciplinary program of study must be at least 30 semester hours: 15 may be divided between directed study and a thesis, but must be related to the interdisciplinary areas; six can be electives in more distantly related areas.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the interdisciplinary studies program should submit the following information in addition to the online application:

  1. Official academic records of all previously attended colleges or universities must be submitted directly from the colleges or universities to the Office of Graduate Admission Processing. Hand-carried transcripts, official copies marked Issued to Student and unofficial copies are not acceptable.
  2. Three letters of recommendation from professors or employers.
  3. A personal statement or résumé.

Additional requirements apply for international students.

Academic Requirements
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a general cumulative grade-point average of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Additional Information
Applicants are expected to submit a formal written request for an individually designed interdisciplinary program to the Graduate Council. The formal request should include:

  1. A general description of the proposed course of study and the reasons for choosing an interdisciplinary program rather than one offered in a single department.
  2. The courses (at least 30 semester hours) to be taken and the department involved in the overall work.
  3. If a project or thesis is desired, a clear statement of the specific nature of the topic, the research intended and the purpose of the project or thesis.

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Academic Requirements

Program requirements can be found in the online Bulletin. Simply select the area of study and click "Explore". 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is each interdisciplinary program created?
Programs are designed by the student. Programs should combine a number of disciplines. Each discipline will be directed by a faculty member, and the faculty members will make up the advisory committee. Applicants should submit a formal written request for an individually designed interdisciplinary program to the Graduate Leadership Council.

What should the formal request include?
The request should include a proposed course of study and the reasons for choosing an interdisciplinary program over a master's degree program already in place. Applicants should list the courses which will be taken. A minimum of 30 semester hours is required. If you intend on completing a project or thesis, information about this project should be included in the formal request. For more information, contact the interdisciplinary program director at 937-229-2390 or the program director of a discipline which you intend to include in your course of study.

Can I be admitted directly into the interdisciplinary program?
Yes, however, admission to an interdisciplinary degree program requires the approval of a specific program of study. In cooperation with faculty advisers, students submit a formal written request for an individually designed interdisciplinary program to the Graduate Leadership Council. While is it possible to be admitted directly to an interdisciplinary program, most students seek admission to the primary department in which they are interested. Once on campus, it is possible to develop contacts across the disciplines and formulate a proposal, then seek approval of your interdisciplinary proposal and change programs.

How many courses are required for the program?
Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. The number of required credit hours varies by interdisciplinary program.

Contact

Don Polzella
Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
937-229-2602