Interdisciplinary Studies (Student Designed)
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The purpose of the student-designed interdisciplinary major is to provide a route by which highly motivated and independently disciplined students can systematically pursue a course of study that is not available through existing majors. The designed program is to be academically sound and should contribute to the individual’s intellectual development.
Students are required to write a proposal justifying and explaining their major. To receive guidance about what is expected, students should meet with the interdisciplinary studies major coordinator prior to writing the proposal. Students should have 30-60 units of course work remaining when they have their program approved. Completed units may be brought in, but no more than 9 of the previously earned units may come from any one area and a minimum of 30 units must be started after the major contract is approved.
The course of study for the student-designed Interdisciplinary Studies major consists of approved course work in three academic disciplines as follows:
- A minimum of 49 units approved by both the coordinator of the program and the advisors of the disciplines chosen.
- 45 of these 49 units shall be distributed over three distinct areas or disciplines. At least 33 units of these 45 units must be upper division.
- A senior project, thesis, or culminating experience demonstrating the integration of the disciplines in the student’s major must be completed by enrolling in one unit of independent study from each area advisor. The evaluation and grading of the course work will be done by the student’s area advisors. This course makes up 3 of the minimum 49 units required for the major. While you are completing your project, you will sign up for 1 unit of Senior Seminar with the program advisor. This course counts as 1 unit of the minimum 49 units.
- A minimum of 12 units including at least 6 upper division units are required in each of the three areas. Students must be in good academic standing prior to acceptance into the major.
- All classes in the major shall be completed with a grade of C or better except those that are mandatory Credit/No Credit.
- General education courses cannot be double-counted in the major.
Degrees Offered
BA, Minor