Interdisciplinary Studies B.A./B.S.

Mission Statement

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree provides an innovative alternative to traditional academic programs. Students in this program select two disciplinary concentrations (such as Visual Media and History or Education and Psychology), which combine to become the equivalent to a single major. The ability to study multiple disciplines allows students to tailor their degree to their own academic interest or career objectives. In the process of working through an individualized degree, students learn superior communication skills and gain experience in creative and critical thinking. To supplement the concentrations, the program features a series of core interdisciplinary courses that teach students how to synthesize the methodologies of multiple disciplines and develop unique solutions to complex contemporary problems.

Learning Outcomes

Students earning an Interdisciplinary Studies degree will be able to:

• Synthesize a personalized set of outcomes and work independently toward achieving them. Early in the program, the Interdisciplinary Studies student will work with the ISC faculty to develop these outcomes and create a plan for demonstrating them upon program completion.
• Critically and creatively research, write, and present in a way that makes logical and theoretical connections between multiple areas of study, especially in the student’s selected disciplines. Students will be able to recognize the strengths and limitations of various disciplinary perspectives and integrate these perspectives to present unique solutions to complex problems.
• Demonstrate a mastery of the personalized outcomes. This outcome is illustrated by the completion of a final capstone project or a comparable series of smaller projects.

Admittance

• Admittance to the Interdisciplinary Studies program requires an initial application which clearly states the applicant’s academic objectives and a proposed plan for achieving them. This application must be approved by the Academic Advisor and the 60+ Faculty Advisor for the Interdisciplinary Studies program. Both approvals are required before admittance.

Program Completion Requirements:

1. A minimum of 120 credits must be earned with 40 or more credits in courses numbered 300 or above. A minimum of 30 credits must be completed at Nevada State University. A maximum of four credits applicable to the BA or BS in Interdisciplinary Studies degree may be earned in recreation, physical education and dance activity courses.
2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 for all courses attempted at the college and an overall grade point average of at least 2.00 must be earned within the program.
3. The individualized curriculum contains at least 40 hours of upper division coursework.
4. A student graduates with a Bachelor of Science if their primary concentration emphasis is in the sciences or with a Bachelor of Arts if their primary concentration emphasis is in the social sciences or humanities.

Curriculum

Recommended Schedule

No recommended schedule for this program.

Degree Sheet

A degree sheet for the Interdisciplinary Studies B.A./B.S. is provided with the curriculum below for students’ convenience.

This sample degree checklist is intended to be used as a planning tool for students enrolled in the program for this academic year. It is recommended that students review the Academic Requirements report in their Student Center and meet regularly with an Academic Advisor to verify degree progression.

College Core Curriculum

English (3-8 credits)

Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum

Study and Technology Skills (0-3 credits)

Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum

Mathematics (3-5 credits)

Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum

Natural Sciences (7-8 credits)

Refer to the Natural Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

Social Sciences (3 credits)

Refer to the Social Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Refer to the Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum

Major Requirements (54-55 credits)

Interdisciplinary Studies Core (6 credits)

ISC 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3.00
ISC 495	Capstone Course: Interdisciplinary Studies	3.00

Concentrations (48 Credits)

First Concentration (24 Credits)

At least nine credits in the concentration must be upper division. Refer to the Concentrations page or appropriate degree sheet for required courses in each concentration.

Second Concentration (24 Credits)

At least nine credits in the concentration must be upper division. Refer to the Concentrations page or appropriate degree sheet for required courses in each concentration.

General Electives

General elective course credits are taken to complete the 120 credits needed for graduation.

Upper Division Electives

At least 18 credits of electives must be Upper Division courses.

Summary of Credits for the Bachelor of Arts/Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

College Core Curriculum	22-45
Major Requirements	54-55
Electives	20-44
Total Credits	120

NOTE: At least 30 credits of Upper Division course work must be completed at Nevada State University to fulfill the Residency Graduation Requirement.