The Interdisciplinary Studies major allows students to draw coursework from two or three academic departments or programs to support individual learning goals.
- The selected Program of Emphasis plays a central role by providing primary advising and courses to meet upper division writing and capstone requirements.
- One or two Supporting Program(s) provide additional courses and faculty support.
Potential areas of study may be selected from the following programs:
Art ♦ Biology ♦ Business ♦ Chemistry ♦ Communication ♦ Computer Science ♦ Creative Writing ♦ Criminology
& Criminal Justice ♦ Economics ♦ Education ♦ Emerging Media & Digital Arts ♦ English ♦ Environmental Sciences & Policy ♦ Foreign Languages and Literatures ♦ Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies ♦ Health & Physical Education ♦ History ♦ International Studies ♦ Mathematics ♦ Music ♦ Native American Studies ♦ Outdoor Adventure Leadership ♦ Philosophy ♦ Political Science ♦ Psychology ♦ Shakespeare Studies ♦ Sociology & Anthropology
The Student Success Coordinator for the Division of Undergraduate Studies, Donny Nickelson, (located in the Computing Services Center, CS 210; 541-552-6809) provides general guidance and administrative assistance. Participating faculty in the student’s selected areas of interest provide direct mentoring and academic advising.
Structure of the major
The major consists of 75 approved credits; 48 of these must be upper division credits. Courses are selected from two or three participating programs, specified in the list above, in consultation with faculty advisors. All course selections must also be approved by the Chair of each program.
Distribution requirements for the 75 credits required in the major are as follows:
- At least 30 credits (including 24 upper division credits) must come from the program of emphasis.
- An additional 24 upper division credits are to be drawn from one or two supporting program(s), with at least 12 upper division credits coming from each program.
- The remaining courses to meet the major’s required total of 75 credits come from the program of emphasis and from the supporting program(s) in any approved combination.
- Must meet the program of emphasis minimum GPA requirement.
- Meet all general University degree requirements, including those regarding overall and upper-division credit minimums, University Studies distributions, and B.A./B.S. specifications.
Note: Students must have at least one academic year remaining (3 terms) to earn a degree. Students cannot double major. Also, students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree do not qualify for this major.
Advance Planning and Student Responsibility
The Interdisciplinary Studies major offers an innovative, flexible learning opportunity for students with initiative and organizational skills. A successful outcome requires both careful advance planning and active engagement with faculty. Students undertaking this major must take responsibility for maintaining communication flow among participating faculty and programs, carefully adhere to all procedures and deadlines, and ensure that required documents are filed within 60 days of starting the application process.
How to Develop an Interdisciplinary Studies Major
Review the checklist in the Interdisciplinary Studies Checklist and Forms document for a step-by-step guide. The academic plan must be approved by all participating faculty advisors, program Chairs and the Director of Undergraduate Studies together with an application letter, and on file in the Registrar’s Office before final approval to achieve major status.
