Interdisciplinary Studies: Design Your Own Major - B.A.
The Interdisciplinary Studies: Design Your Own bachelor's degree program provides opportunities for students who want to design their own program of study by connecting courses across disciplines. Guided by a team of faculty advisers, students acquire expertise in multiple disciplines and are prepared to navigate and excel in a variety of work environments.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
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Demonstrate knowledge of individual disciplines and the ability to integrate concepts and skills from multiple disciplines to create innovative frameworks.
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Synthesize multiple perspectives and apply interdisciplinary methods to explore complex issues and contemporary problems.
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Communicate interdisciplinary ideas and concepts in ways that demonstrate awareness of perspective, audience and disciplinary conventions.
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Engage in reflective learning practices and leverage insights to inform future inquiry.
Interdisciplinary Studies: Design Your Own Major
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of arts degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| 33–39 semester credits of 2 or 3 distinct academic disciplines *,**,*** | 33-39 | |
| One research course | 3 | |
| IDST1001 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 1.5 |
| IDST3100 | Interdisciplinary Project Development | 1.5 |
| IDST4900 | Interdisciplinary Studies: DYO Capstone Project | 3 |
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 12 credits from the following: **** | 12 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Internship | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| Undergraduate Laboratory and Field Research | ||
| Undergraduate Research Experience | ||
| Honors Directed Academic Experience | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM, LIT, PHIL or REL | ||
| Math | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Science | 3 | |
One course from BIO, CHM, PHY or SCI | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ANTH, ECON, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC, or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 18-24 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 18-24 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
| * | If the major consists of 2 distinct academic disciplines, student must complete between 15–21 semester credits (5–7 courses) in each discipline. If the major consists of 3 distinct academic disciplines, students must complete between 9–15 semester credits (3–5 courses) in each discipline. No more than 21 semester credits may be taken in any one discipline. |
| ** | Of the 33–39 semester credits (11–13 major courses), 15 semester credits (5 courses) must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, not including the IDST4900 Interdisciplinary Studies: DYO Capstone Project. |
| *** | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
| **** | In lieu of an internship, directed experiential education, research course, or study abroad, students may use the Applied/Experiential Learning credits towards a minor. |
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Basic Mathematics or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree must leave Johnson & Wales University with effective writing skills to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. These writing skills are assessed in ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II or ENG1027 Honors Advanced Composition and Communications: Civic Discourse outside of Johnson & Wales University must fulfill the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of ENG0001 Writing Workshop.
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?