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 | ||
| ASCI4799 | College of Arts & Sciences Internship Ir | 12 |
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| English Composition | ||
| Advanced Composition and Communication | ||
| 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. |
IrWith department or college chair approval, Experiential Learning credits can be applied to a number of options in lieu of the required internship. Options include, but are not limited to, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses, or courses in a minor as relevant. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling experiential learning credits.
# 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.
Visit Courses by Subject Code for a listing of all campus courses.
‡HUM courses are not offered in North Miami or Online.
^BIO courses are not offered in North Miami.
¶CAD courses are only offered in Providence.
±CHM courses are not offered in North Miami or Online.
°PHY courses are not offered in Charlotte.
°°ANTH courses are not offered in North Miami or Charlotte.
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 Advanced Composition and Communication. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Advanced Composition and Communication 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 four 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. Financial aid is applicable and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?