The Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed to integrate a student’s academic interests. Students select three academic program certificates and combine their requirements to create the Interdisciplinary Studies (BA or BS) major. Students, through certificate selection, customize their educational approach to support individual learning goals. Students develop connections in a broad range of knowledge and skills to make decisions, communicate effectively, and understand diverse audiences for various purposes and settings.

Interdisciplinary Studies at SOU

SOU’s Interdisciplinary Studies major provides an exciting opportunity for students to design their education, thus preparing students for rapidly changing career opportunities in many fields. This major is intended for students whose interests cannot be served by an established major and who want to focus their studies across various courses and offerings to meet their career goals or preparation for a profession or advanced level of education.

Requirements for the INTD major:

• Students complete 3 certificates from a variety of academic program offerings. All SOU certificates are eligible, except for the Certificate in Applied Learning and Essential Skills. Once you select your top three certificates, approval is required to ensure diversity in your selection. Click here for the full list of SOU certificates .
• *A minimum of 36 upper-division credits are to be completed through the certificates selected.
• *Students seeking their first baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 60 upper-division credits.
• *Students must meet each certificate’s minimum GPA requirement.
• *Through the review of the certificates selected, a capstone or practicum experience is identified. If the cumulative experience is not identified, students complete a minimum of one credit UGS 409 Interdisciplinary Practicum.
• *Meet all undergraduate degree requirements, including those regarding general education, and B.A./B.S. specifications are required for all students seeking their first bachelor’s degree.

Note: Students should have at least one academic year remaining (3 terms) once the major is declared. Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are eligible 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 and advisors. Students undertaking this major 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 and processed for acceptance into the major. This major requires an approval process. Please consult with the Undergraduate Studies Student Success Coordinator to ensure the application is approved and the major is applied.

Possible Certificates

• Certificate in Animation & Motion Design
• Certificate in Applied Finance and Economics (CAFE)
• Certificate in Art History
• Certificate in Business Analytics
• Certificate in Character and Costume Design
• Certificate in Cinematography & Production Technology
• Certificate in Conducting
• Certificate in Conflict Management
• Certificate in Creative Writing
• Certificate in Cybersecurity
• Certificate in Data Analytics
• Certificate in Directing and Devising for Theatre
• Certificate in Directing Scripted Narrative for the Screen
• Certificate in Documentary Production
• Certificate in Early Childhood Education
• Certificate in Emerging Media & Digital Arts
• Certificate in English Studies
• Certificate in Environmental Communication
• Certificate in Environmental Data Science
• Certificate in Ethnic and Racial Studies
• Certificate in Foundations of Teaching English Language Arts
• Certificate in Game Design
• Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
• Certificate in Geospatial Science
• Certificate in Graphic Design
• Certificate in Holistic Education
• Certificate in Internet Marketing and E-Commerce (CIMeC)
• Certificate in Lighting Design and Technology
• Certificate in Literary Studies
• Certificate in Management of Human Resources (CMHR)
• Certificate in Media Post-Production
• Certificate in Music Industry & Production
• Certificate in Music Performance
• Certificate in Music Theory & History
• Certificate in Musical Theatre
• Certificate in Native American Studies
• Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNPM)
• Certificate in Popular Music
• Certificate in Producing & Production Management
• Certificate in Production Fabrication
• Certificate in Professional Social Media
• Certificate in Restorative Justice
• Certificate in Scenic and Environment Design
• Certificate in Screenwriting & Story Development
• Certificate in Shakespeare Studies
• Certificate in Social Justice
• Certificate in Software Development
• Certificate in Sound Design
• Certificate in Spanish & Latinx Studies
• Certificate in Spanish & Latinx Studies for Educators
• Certificate in Spanish & Latinx Studies for Health Professions
• Certificate in Sport and Recreation Management
• Certificate in Studio Art
• Certificate in Sustainability Leadership (CSL)
• Certificate in Sustainable Tourism
• Certificate in Theatre and Arts Management
• Certificate in Transgender Studies
• Certificate in Web Programming
• Certificate in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
• Certificate in Wine Business
• Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric
• Regional Studies and Applied Research Certificate
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate