Description
The interdisciplinary studies program is designed for students who have changed their major, attended several institutions, or have multiple educational goals. It provides flexibility to students whose academic interests cannot be captured in a singularly-focused major.
Working closely with a student success coach, students have the ability to design a tailored course of study that enables them to have two areas of content focus (program cores). Program cores that can be completed through Stevenson University Online are business administration, business communication, criminal justice, information systems, legal studies, management, and marketing. It is also possible to transfer a program core in a content area from prior educational experiences that aligns with a major or minor offered at Stevenson University. Students should consult with an enrollment counselor for more information.
Courses are offered either in an 8-week online format or a 16-week online format.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate general knowledge in the liberal arts.
- Demonstrate an understanding of content in two academic disciplines.
- Demonstrate effective communication by engaging in inquiry and reflection on a topic of personal interest.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. Furthermore, the lowest acceptable grade is a “C” in all major courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next major course without earning a grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below a “C” is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course. The lowest acceptable grade in Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses is a “D,” with the exception of ENG 151 and ENG 152, for which the lowest acceptable grade is a “C.” If a SEE course is required for the major the lowest acceptable grade is a “C.”
A course may be repeated twice without special permission. Students must apply in writing to the dean of the school in which the course resides requesting permissions to attempt a course for the third time.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for
completion of the bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Students must
also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience
(SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
The requirements for the program are as follows:
- GEN 200
- 36 credits for the major selected from two disciplines, identified as program cores (at least 18 credits of which must be at the 300- and 400-level).
- A minimum of 12 credits is required in one program core.
- 30 credits of courses must be at the upper level.
- Six credits in INDSC courses, 300-level or above.
- INDSC 450 Senior Project: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies
- One 200-level WI and one 300- or 400-level WI course taken in a program core or other writing intensive courses approved by the academic program administrator. The major is comprised of 36 credits of courses selected from two disciplines, identified as program cores (at least 18 credits of which must be at the 300- and 400-level). A minimum of 12 credits is required in one program core.
Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies
A minor in Interdisciplinary Studies is not available.
Other Options
The bachelor's to master's option is available for students majoring in interdisciplinary studies who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a master’s degree in one of Stevenson’s graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a bachelor's to master's option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their student success coach. For more information on this program see the Admissions section of this catalog.