Program Requirements

General Education - 41 credit hours

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree includes a broad base of courses in four general areas of study (41 credit hours):

  • Area I: Written Composition (2 courses, 6 Hours)
  • Area II: Humanities, Fine Arts, Literature, and Oral Communication (4 courses, 12 Hours)
  • Area III: Laboratory Sciences and Mathematics (3 courses, 11 Hours)
  • Area IV: History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences (4 courses, 12 Hours) 

Concentration - 30 credit hours

Each student collaborates with an Interdisciplinary Studies academic advisor to design an individualized program of study in one of the following concentrations (30 credit hours):

▼   Administrative Sciences
Composed primarily of coursework from business and related fields, such as communication and information technology.
▼   Applied Arts
Composed primarily of coursework from the fine arts and humanities, but may include scientific or technical coursework as well.
▼   Applied Sciences
Composed primarily of coursework from the sciences and technical fields.
▼   Community Services
Composed primarily of coursework from the social sciences (especially political science and criminal justice), education, or health.
▼   Human Services
Composed primarily of coursework from the social sciences (especially psychology and sociology), education, or health.
▼   Liberal Studies
Composed primarily of coursework from the humanities and social sciences.
▼   Professional Development
Composed of coursework suited to the unique demands of a particular career path.

General Competency Classes – 15 credit hours

The Interdisciplinary Studies program requirements ensure that graduates develop the following skills: critical thinking, cultural competency, information literacy, communication, leadership, and teamwork.  This translates to success in our modern workforce which is increasingly technologically advanced, globally-oriented, and culturally diverse.

The following required courses prepare students for today's workforce:

▼   IST 302 Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking
Provides students an introduction to the field of interdisciplinary studies and an opportunity to critically reflect on the experience of self, education, and career and the relationship among these three phenomena.
▼   IST 320 Cultural Competency
An interdisciplinary exploration of issues related to interactions between diverse groups in teams, communities, and organizations. Reviews research from a variety of disciplines, introduces the history and law of equal opportunity in the U.S., and examines the costs and benefits of diversity. Topics include prejudice, stereotyping, affirmative action, barriers to mobility, discrimination, marginalization, mentoring, cooperative teamwork, and international issues.
▼   IST 330 Analytical and Information Literacy
This course examines principles of qualitative and quantitative research methods and their application to interdisciplinary studies in the social sciences. Emphasis is on the development of functional literacy for information expressed quantitatively and thoughtful integration of such information into academic and practical research.
▼    IST 350 Advanced Verbal and Written Communication
This course builds on the foundation laid in freshman composition, stressing critical thinking, analysis, and research. It aims to prepare students oral presentations, research and writing papers.
▼   IST 495 Professional Leadership and Teamwork 
Students will examine their skills, abilities, personality, attitudes, values, interests, and behaviors within the context of current scholarship on leadership to increase awareness of their leadership competencies.

Capstone Class – 3 credit hours

Each student chooses an internship experience or senior research project to fulfill their Interdisciplinary Studies capstone requirement:

▼    IST 498 Internship
This internship course provides the student an opportunity to have an internship filed experience and to reflect on and critically evaluate that internship experience, particularly as it relates to the interdisciplinary course of study. Students will prepare reports, write papers, make presentations, and engage in group discussion that critically considers their internship experience.
▼   IST 430 Senior Research
An in-depth research project in the student's concentration. Provides an opportunity for the student to design a comprehensive research project, analyze and synthesize research data, and develop expertise in a particular subject.

Electives – 31 credit hours

A minimum of 31 credit hours of elective courses are required. IST students may also elect a minor as part of their degree (fulfilling the minor requirement via the electives area).