Interdisciplinary and Professional Studies

Leo

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering offers the undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies major that is designed primarily for non-traditional students returning to school and for traditional students whose academic needs and occupational plans are not met with an existing academic major or minor program. The major allows students a flexible path to degree completion by offering areas of emphasis containing complementary courses from different academic disciplines across all academic colleges. Areas of emphasis include:

  • Arts
  • Business and Applied Entrepreneurship
  • Health
  • Humanities
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Technology
  • Women's Studies

Interdisciplinary Studies students are required to complete an area of emphasis and three additional Interdisciplinary Studies courses:

  •  Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS 100)
  •  Interdisciplinary Research: Process and Practice (IDS 250W) 
  •  Capstone Project (IDS 450)

All Interdisciplinary Studies students must take the IDS 100 course within the first twelve hours after admission to the IDS major.  Students must pass IDS 100 with a grade of C or higher to remain in the major.  Students may retake IDS 100.  Interdisciplinary Studies students are assigned an academic advisor who will have the responsibility of planning an individualized program of study with the student, providing academic advising, and approving the schedule of classes taken each semester by the student. The major offers two options: Area of Emphasis option, a flexible and individualized program of study based on academic and career interests in one of eight areas of emphasis; and an Applied Entrepreneurship option that allows students to apply approved technical coursework to the major. Questions regarding the Interdisciplinary Studies program should be directed to the Program Coordinator (see also http://una.edu/bis).