Undergraduate 2020-2021

Interdisciplinary Studies B.A. – Student Designed Major

Undergraduate Studies

Contact: Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies

Location: Carter 4008

Telephone: 970.351.2305

Website: http://www.unco.edu/programs/interdisciplinary-studies-ba/

Advising Information:

Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.

To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.

The program consists of three parts:

  1. Liberal Arts Core (LAC) Credits
  2. Required Major Credits
  3. University-Wide Credits

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies enables undergraduate students to pursue an interdisciplinary theme of study they design in substitution for the traditional major. Each student pursuing this major works with two faculty advisors who assist in constructing a program of study that will meet the student’s objectives. This program affords students the opportunity to pursue topics of study tailored to meet their individual interests and needs.

Graduates benefit by pursuing a major that develops awareness of the interrelatedness and wholeness of knowledge. This program enables students to integrate knowledge focusing on both contemporary and lasting human issues and problems. Students develop both theoretical and practical approaches to topics. This major provides the groundwork for students who aspire to careers that are enriched by study in two or more disciplines.

Program Admission Requirements:

Students desiring to enter the program must have their interdisciplinary studies student designed major proposal approved by faculty advisors in two different disciplines and the Undergraduate Council no later than the first semester of their junior year.

Program Requirements:

  • At least 50 percent of the courses taken to complete the major must be upper division courses, 300-400 level.
  • Interdisciplinary studies proposals must include at least 12 credits each from a minimum of two disciplines to be considered acceptable proposals. The faculty advisors who approve the proposal must be from these two disciplines.
  • At least 45 of the 60 credit hours required for the major must be completed after the student designed major proposal has been approved.

Degree Requirements — 120 Credits

1. Required LAC — 40 credits

See “Liberal Arts Core

2. Required Major — 60 credits

Take all of the following:

  • XXXX 422 Directed Studies (3) (Must be a Thesis or Final Project)
    • Must have regular prefix of appropriate area of study with the departmental prefix of at least one of the primary advisor as supervising faculty.
  • Complete an approved, coherent multi- or interdisciplinary program of courses to total 57 credits.

3. University-Wide Credits — 20 credits

Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 20 credits