Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)
The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS B.S.) degree program is designed for students who have an interest in meeting community needs through a unique interdisciplinary perspective. The IDS B.S. cultivates professional skills by preparing students to successfully apply writing, communication, research, and ethics across multiple disciplines toward the betterment of individuals and communities. This program allows students to maximize existing credits toward graduation and to integrate courses from a wide variety of academic areas that may not fit neatly in one specific major. To ensure students have the basic skills required in a professional world, five (5) core classes are required. Courses will include topics on research, program funding, communication and cultural sensitivity. Lastly, students will have an ethics and application course which is the capstone requirement; to include experiential learning drawing upon the skills obtained in previous classes. The IDS B.S. degree requires students to pick one area of concentration and take at least five (5) courses in that concentration. Students may have two (2) concentrations, but only one (1) is a requirement. This degree allows for flexibility in planning with the belief that many combinations of courses can meet students’ educational needs and contribute to professional development and career preparation.
Degree Requirements:
* 30 Required Credit Hours: Interdisciplinary Core (15 hours), Concentration Area (15 hours).
* At least 39 credit hours must come from coursework at the 3000- and/or 4000- levels.
* A grade of “C” or better is necessary in all courses in the Interdisciplinary Core and Concentration Area.
Students will select a minimum of one major concentration area. Two concentrations may be completed as shown. Credits used in one area cannot be used in another area. Students are encouraged to consider completing a minor or certificate program. It may be possible to complete a minor or certificate by completing the necessary coursework as a concentration for your IDS B.S. degree. Refer to the Academic Catalog to find out which classes you will need for each certificate.
Minors offered at MGA include, but are not limited to:
Business, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice, Professional Writing, Political Science, Sustainability Policy Studies, Spanish, World History
Certificates offered at MGA include, but are not limited to:
Cyber Security, European Union Studies, Film Production, Airline Management, Airport Management, Network Administration, Reading Endorsement or Web Design.
Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
Core Curriculum (Credit: 42 hours)
Area A: Essential Skills (Credit: 9 hours)
Note: Courses required for Area A must be completed within the first 30 hours.
Area B: Institutional Options (Credit: 4 hours)
| Perspectives Elective | 4 credits |
Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts (Credit: 6 hours)
| Literature Elective | 3 credits |
| Area C Elective | 3 credits |
Area D: Science, Math and Technology (Credit: 11 hours)
| Lab Science | 4 credits |
| Lab Science | 4 credits |
| Area D Elective | 3 credits |
Note: MATH 1401 is preferred for Area D elective.
Area E: Social Sciences (Credit: 12 hours)
| HIST 2111 | United States History to 1865 | 3 credits |
| OR | |
| HIST 2112 | United States History since 1865 | 3 credits |
| AND | |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 credits |
| Area E Elective | 3 credits |
| Area E Elective | 3 credits |
Area F: Lower Division Major Requirements (Credit: 18 hours)
18 hours of any approved collegiate Area C-F core curriculum course.
Interdisciplinary Studies B.S. Core & Electives (60 hours)
Major Requirements (30 hours)
30 Required Credit Hours: Interdisciplinary Core (15 hours), Concentration Area (15 hours).
Note: Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all Major Requirements.
Interdisciplinary Studies B.S. Required Core Courses (Credit: 15 hours)
Research Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
Choose one of the following:
Grant Writing and Program Funding (Credit: 3 hours)
| PBSV 4030 | Program Funding and Evaluation | 3 credits |
Communication Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
Choose one of the following:
| COMM 3010 | Communication Theory | 3 credits |
| COMM 3015 | Intercultural Communication in a Global Society | 3 credits |
| COMM 3016 | Gender Roles and Communication | 3 credits |
| COMM 3205 | Advanced Interpersonal Communications | 3 credits |
| ENGL 3106 | Professional Writing and Communication | 3 credits |
| ENGL 4106 | Technical Writing in the Digital Age | 3 credits |
| HLSA 3380 | Health Communications | 3 credits |
| MATH 3207 | Communicating Mathematics | 4 credits |
| NMAC 3108 | Writing for Digital Media | 3 credits |
| PBSV 3015 | Practice and Case Management in Public Service | 3 credits |
| PBSV 3040 | Conflict Resolution and Negotiation | 3 credits |
| PSYC 3330 | Interviewing | 3 credits |
Cultural Competency Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
Choose one of the following
| COMM 3015 | Intercultural Communication in a Global Society | 3 credits |
| CRJU 4130 | Gender, Ethnicity, and Justice | 3 credits |
| HUMN 3010 | Introduction to Cultural Studies | 3 credits |
| HUMN 4471 | Comparative Cultures | 3 credits |
| PBSV 3005 | Culturally Competent and Responsive Practice in Public Service | 3 credits |
| PSYC 3201 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 credits |
Ethics and Application Seminar (Credit: 3 hours)
| IDS 4510 | Ethics and Application Capstone | 3 credits |
Interdisciplinary Studies B.S. Major Concentration (Credit 15-30 hours)
Students will select a minimum of one major concentration area. Two concentrations may be completed as shown. Credits used in one area cannot be used in another area. Students are encouraged to consider completing a minor or certificate program. It may be possible to complete a minor or certificate by completing the necessary coursework as a concentration for your IDS B.S. degree. Refer to the Academic Catalog to find out which classes you will need for each certificate.
Major Concentration (Credit: 15 hours)
Complete a minimum of 15 upper level credit hours from a single discipline.
Second (optional) Concentration (Credit: 15 hours)
Complete a minimum of 9 upper-level credit hours from a single discipline.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete a minor or certificate as a second concentration.
Guided Electives (Credit: 15-30 hours)
Students will select elective credits (15-30 hours) with guidance from their academic advisor. Students must have a total of 39 upper-level courses in their program of study.
Total Hour: 120