Master’s Degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies

The interdisciplinary studies program offers students a high degree of flexibility in designing a program of study that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. Applicants to the master’s program can pursue one of two approaches — either a self-styled plan or a recognized concentration. Under a self-styled plan, students design a program to address a particular intellectual interest not met by any specific degree program available through traditional disciplines, using existing courses from any graduate area of the university. Applicants should contact the Graduate School to discuss their intention to seek a self-styled plan. A recognized concentration approach involves more structure in the courses taken built around a defined interdisciplinary theme. For either approach, the degree awarded upon completion of the program is a Master of Arts or Master of Science with a major in interdisciplinary studies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the degree in interdisciplinary studies must submit the following:

1. A completed Graduate School application form.
2. Complete transcripts from all colleges attended.
3. A non-refundable application fee.
4. Scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

The following items must be submitted to the Graduate School and are required to pursue the self-styled theme.

1. A current resume.
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. A written statement of purpose outlining the theme of the applicant’s interdisciplinary program that includes the following:
   1. clear goals for the program of study;
   2. specific learning outcomes (i.e., what the student expects to have learned by the end of the program); and
   3. defined assessment methods for the learning outcomes. (The learning methods and outcomes must be designed in consultation with a faculty advisor or the entire advisory committee.)

Please contact the Graduate School  for further information regarding the statement of purpose.

4. A degree plan worksheet with faculty committee signatures.

All of the above materials and scores must be submitted to the Graduate School prior to any enrollment for courses leading to the degree. Please contact the Graduate School  for further information regarding admission materials.

Applicants seeking admission to the recognized concentrations and guided programs of study should consult with the concentration’s director for concentration specific admission requirements.

General Requirements

In the self-styled approach, either the Master of Science or the Master of Arts degree program must include no fewer than three separate fields of study with at least 6 hours in each field. No more than 18 hours (including thesis and special problems) may be taken under any one course prefix or subject field. A degree plan committee, representative of each of the disciplines of the student’s program, will be formed to help the student develop the degree plan and supervise progress.

Students may choose the non-thesis option and complete at least 36 semester hours for a Master of Arts or Master of Science. The thesis option requires 30 semester hours plus 6 hours of thesis, for a total of 36 hours.

For any non-thesis degree, a comprehensive final examination, oral and/or written, must be completed, ordinarily during the final term/semester of enrollment. The examination is prepared, administered and evaluated by the members of the student’s degree plan committee. Students must meet the foreign language requirement for the Master of Arts.

University Courses (UCRS)

University courses are interdisciplinary in nature and are available to students working toward the master’s degree with the interdisciplinary major.