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)

ENGL 1101English Composition I

3 credits

 

ENGL 1102English Composition II

3 credits

OR

ENGL 1102HHonors English Composition II

3 credits

 

MATH 1101Introduction to Mathematical Modeling

3 credits

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 2111United States History to 1865

3 credits

OR

HIST 2112United States History since 1865

3 credits

AND

POLS 1101American 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:

CRJU 3020Research Methods Criminal Justice

3 credits

HLSA 3000Research Methods for Health Sciences

3 credits

HIST 3000Historical Methods

3 credits

IDS 3800Methods in Interdisciplinary Research

3 credits

MATH 3600Probability and Statistics

3 credits

MGMT 3101Business Statistics

3 credits

MKTG 4161Marketing Research

3 credits

PBSV 3020Research Methods

3 credits

POLS 3000Research Methods in Political Science

3 credits

PSYC 3002Research Methods

3 credits

SOCI 3001Social Research Methods

3 credits

Grant Writing and Program Funding (Credit: 3 hours)
PBSV 4030Program Funding and Evaluation

3 credits

Communication Elective (Credit: 3 hours)

Choose one of the following:

COMM 3010Communication Theory

3 credits

COMM 3015Intercultural Communication in a Global Society

3 credits

COMM 3016Gender Roles and Communication

3 credits

COMM 3205Advanced Interpersonal Communications

3 credits

ENGL 3106Professional Writing and Communication

3 credits

ENGL 4106Technical Writing in the Digital Age

3 credits

HLSA 3380Health Communications

3 credits

MATH 3207Communicating Mathematics

4 credits

NMAC 3108Writing for Digital Media

3 credits

PBSV 3015Practice and Case Management in Public Service

3 credits

PBSV 3040Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

3 credits

PSYC 3330Interviewing

3 credits

Cultural Competency Elective (Credit: 3 hours)

Choose one of the following

COMM 3015Intercultural Communication in a Global Society

3 credits

CRJU 4120Gender, Ethnicity, and Justice

3 credits

HUMN 3010Introduction to Cultural Studies

3 credits

HUMN 4471Comparative Cultures

3 credits

PBSV 3005Culturally Competent and Responsive Practice in Public Service

3 credits

PSYC 3201Cross-Cultural Psychology

3 credits

Ethics and Application Seminar (Credit: 3 hours)
IDS 4510Ethics 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