Student-Initiated Interdisciplinary Majors

Degree Type
Major

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 .

Requirements for the Major

The Interdisciplinary Studies Department coordinates faculty-sponsored and student-initiated programs of study that cross departmental lines . The originator of an interdisciplinary major is responsible for establishing and justifying its goals and curriculum. The program must include at least 36 credits (excluding the Senior Project), but may not exceed 72 credits. No more than 48 credits in any one department can be counted toward fulfilling Bethany’s degree requirements. The major must be approved by the Faculty Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies . Students must also pass the senior comprehensive exam, INTD 495.

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