Are you interested in the humanities, sciences and social sciences? The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts option is for you. In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses from each area. You’ll also develop the research and critical thinking skills needed for a variety of careers and graduate programs.
The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.
Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts program is designed for students wanting a traditional “liberal arts” degree. Students select 60 upper division credits, 20 credits in each of the breadth areas of humanities, science, and social science. Students may also earn lower division elective credits (subject to department assessment*) toward their degree through submission of an experiential learning portfolio (after completing a specialized elective Portfolio Development course, ) and/or approved apprenticeships, licenses, and other professional learning experiences. Visit the Interdisciplinary Credit for Prior Learning webpage to learn more about credit for prior learning through the Interdisciplinary Studies department.
The curriculum is specifically designed for those whose academic interests and goals are not met by existing majors, yet desire more structure toward course selection. Students craft a personalized course of study within the 20-20-20 liberal arts framework under the guidance of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, 12 credits of Interdisciplinary Core courses are required, emphasizing an integrated approach to understanding complex, real-world problems, ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive educational experience.
*Contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Department for credit limitations and the current required department assessment fee(s).
Pre-approval is required from departments or program directors and the Interdisciplinary Studies director.
How does this degree compare with other Interdisciplinary Studies degree options? Review the program comparison table for detailed information.
World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.
| Required–choose courses from the following areas–must be upper-division (300/400 level) | ||
| Humanities | 20 | |
| Sciences | 20 | |
| Social Sciences | 20 | |
| EXPLORING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 4 | |
| CONNECTING ITDS THEORY, RESEARCH & PRACTICE | 4 | |
| INTERDISCIPLINARY SR CAPSTONE (or other departmental capstone with ITDS Director approval) | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits.听Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.
Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current.听Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.
All Undergraduate students are required to meet the听.
This major requires the completion of the听.听 Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA)听degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| 5 | 5 | or | 5 | ||
| Humanities & Arts BACR 11 | 5 | Social Sciences BACR 11 | 5 | Social Sciences BACR 21 | 5 |
| Natural Sciences BACR 11 | 5 | Natural Sciences BACR 21 | 5 | Humanities & Arts BACR 21 | 5 |
| 听 | 15 | 听 | 15 | 听 | 15 |
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| Diversity - graduation requirement1 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective | 5 |
| Global Studies - graduation requirement1 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective | 5 |
| 听 | 15 | 听 | 15 | 听 | 15 |
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| 4 | Upper-Division Science Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Science Elective2 | 5 | |
| Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Upper-Division Humanities Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Humanities Elective2 | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Upper-Division Social Science Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Social Science Elective2 | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective | 3 | 听 | 听 | ||
| 听 | 17 | 听 | 15 | 听 | 15 |
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| Upper-Division Science Elective2 | 5 | 4 | (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement) | 4 | |
| Upper-Division Social Science Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Humanities Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Humanities Elective2 | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective | 5 | Upper-Division Science Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Social Science Elective2 | 5 |
| 听 | 15 | 听 | 14 | 听 | 14 |
| Total Credits 180 | |||||
Complete 20 credits each of upper-division (300- and 400- level) Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences electives in consultation with ITDS director.听