Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies
Choosing Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) means creating an individualized cross-disciplinary major that can be tailored to your individual career and educational goals.
The IDS major was designed for students who wish to create their own academic programs by choosing courses in more than one academic area. This major challenges students to think about problems and issues from the views of different academic areas. In addition, the Interdisciplinary Studies major permits students to take courses from several academic areas to prepare themselves for a job market that requires skills and knowledge from more than a single traditional academic discipline. For example, a student interested in a career in the health products business might create an interdisciplinary major with selected courses in marketing, psychology, and biology. Students interested in global studies, gender studies and other interdisciplinary areas should also choose IDS. In addition, Interdisciplinary Studies is often the major of choice for pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-law and other pre-professional students. In each of these cases, students can tailor their studies to specific interests and professional school requirements.
What are the requirements?
For students with a catalog year prior to Fall 2007:- 75 credit hours or less completed (prior to approval of plan)
- 48 credits – University Studies
- 72 credits – Your choice across 2-4 academic areas of interest and free electives.
Each area of emphasis must include 12-30 credits. - At least 30 of the credits on the plan of study must be at the 300-500 course level
- Up to 24 credits of free electives can be included on the plan of study
- 75 credit hours or less completed (prior to approval of plan)
- 51 credits – University Studies
- 69 credits – Your choice across 2-4 academic areas of interest and free electives.
Each area of emphasis must include 12-30 credits. - At least 30 of the credits on the plan of study must be at the 300-500 course level
- Up to 21 credits of free electives can be included on the plan of study
- 75 credit hours or less completed (prior to approval of plan)
- 51 credits – University Studies
- 69 credits – Your choice across 2-4 academic areas of interest and free electives.
Each area of emphasis must include 12-30 credits. - At least 39 of the credits on the plan of study must be at the 300-500 course level
- Up to 21 credits of free electives can be included on the plan of study
Interdisciplinary studies majors are required to have a 2.5 cumulative g.p.a. for graduation. Your program of study must be approved by the Dean of the School of University Studies and Academic Information Services and the Registrar before you complete 75 credit hours, although declaring by 60 credit hours is recommended.
Students may not pursue another major along with the IDS program, nor declare a minor. Instead, you work with several faculty experts in your chosen areas of emphasis. These experts will work together to carefully advise you about how to create a major that best serves your academic and career interests.How do you pursue Interdisciplinary Studies?
Download and print the necessary forms below - or you may visit the University Studies Advising Center (USAC) to pick up printed versions. For questions about the IDS major, you may visit, call or email the USAC for more information. The USAC staff will help you complete the declaration procedure, including providing assistance in choosing faculty experts as your advisors.
- Interdisciplinary Plan of Study Form
- IDS Degree Requirements
- Instructions to Students
- Instructions to Faculty
- Request Form to Revise Plan
For more information please contact:
Interdisciplinary Studies
University Studies Advising Center
Southeast Missouri State University
Academic Hall 317 MS 3850
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
(573) 986-7328
E-mail: usac@semo.edu