Mission
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies empowers students to address complex, real-world challenges through innovative programs that cross traditional academic boundaries. By offering flexible, individualized degree pathways alongside faculty-initiated majors, minors, and a graduate program in education, the department fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Through experiential learning, internships, and collaborative projects, students gain practical skills and interdisciplinary perspectives, preparing them to navigate and shape a rapidly changing world.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop and apply advanced research, analytical, and critical thinking skills to identify, evaluate, and propose solutions to interdisciplinary problems.
- Students will exhibit proficiency in written and oral communication, effectively articulating interdisciplinary concepts and solutions.
- Students will build practical skills and experiences, preparing for diverse career pathways that require adaptability and an interdisciplinary approach.
- Students will demonstrate a cohesive, personalized interdisciplinary knowledge base by integrating concepts, theories, and methods from multiple academic disciplines to address specific academic, professional, and societal challenges.
- Students will apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving strategies to develop innovative solutions, while effectively communicating and collaborating across diverse fields of study.
To initiate a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, a student must submit a formal proposal to the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies prior to the last day of classes before mid-term of the second semester of the sophomore year. (A later proposal may be considered if the student has already completed a significant part of the curriculum of the program or is willing to take more than the usual four years to complete degree requirements.) The proposal must follow guidelines established by the Faculty Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies and be prepared with the guidance of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies.
The proposal must be approved by the Faculty Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies . A proposal is normally approved only from a student who has an overall grade-point average of 3.00 at the time the proposal is made . To continue in the program the student must maintain the 3.00 grade-point average during the semester in which the proposal is approved and during the following semester. (In special circumstances the Faculty Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies may waive grade-point requirements to consider a proposal from a student with a lower grade-point average and/or establish a lower grade-point requirement for that student’s continuing in the program.)
When a proposal has been approved, it becomes the statement of goals and requirements for the student’s major and is filed in the Office of the Registrar. It may not be modified without endorsement by the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies and approval of the Faculty Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies . The Director of Interdisciplinary Studies supervises the student’s work in the program and serves as the student’s academic advisor.