A student wishing to pursue an interdisciplinary major should consult with at least two faculty members representing different disciplines to help develop the major. The proposed major should be interdisciplinary and not duplicate existing majors.
The faculty members become the program members for the major with one faculty member designated as program chair for the major. The faculty member serving as the program chair will become the student's academic advisor once the major is approved.
Students should begin this planning process before spring registration of the sophomore year with a proposal submitted no later than the fall semester of the student's junior year.
Major Proposal. The proposal that is submitted to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs should consist of the following four sections:
- a description and justification for the major
- learning goals for the major
- required coursework for the major
- a cover message to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
The proposal should be submitted with the signatures of the student and the faculty program members, though an e-mail endorsement is appropriate for electronic submissions.
Proposers are encouraged to use this template.
Each of these sections is now described in more detail.
- Description and Justification.
This section should include the following components:
- a clear and succinct title for the major
- the name of the student proposing the major
- the date the proposal was submitted for approval
- a student written justification for this major, articulating its overarching theme, stating the student's academic goals, and the way the major satisfies these goals.
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Learning Goals. This section should include four learning goals for the student in the major. Two goals are common goals for all INTE majors. Two additional goals are written by the student and faculty program members and relate to the specific nature of the major.
- The student will demonstrate the ability to integrate concepts and critical thinking approaches from two or more academic disciplines.
- The student will learn, develop, and refine the modes of writing that are appropriate to the conventions and practices of their interdisciplinary major.
- The student will … [student-defined learning goal]
- The student will … [student-defined learning goal]
- Required Courses.
This section should include the following components:
- A list of required courses that includes at least 10 courses and no more than 12 courses. This list should also follow the following rules:
- At least 4 of the major courses are at the 300-level or above.
- At least one of the four upper-level courses should be identified as a theory course or methodology course appropriate for the major.
- Suitable alternate courses are encouraged for the required courses.
- At least 50% of major courses must be taken in residence at the College.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in major courses.
- A description of a senior capstone experience with elements appropriate for the major. State whether the capstone is for course credit, or not, and how the grade is determined by the program faculty.
- A statement of endorsement that reads:
“The student and the program committee have determined that, by satisfactorily completing the above proposed coursework, the student has a clear and achievable pathway to meet the proposed learning goals.”
- Cover Message. Electronic submissions to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs are encouraged. Please attach the proposal to the e-mail message and include the following information:
- the intended graduation date,
- the courses in the proposed major for which the student already has course credit,
- and please copy the proposed program faculty in the message.
Approval Process. The Associate Provost may ask the student for clarification about the proposal or ask that changes be made to the proposal. Once the proposal has been approved, the Associate Provost notifies the student, the program faculty, and the Registrar. The Registrar will use the approved proposal for graduation audits.
Once approved, the student should send a completed Advisor Designation and Major/Minor Declaration Form to the Registrar. The form will not be accepted by the Registrar until after the proposed has been approved by the Associate Provost.
Students who would like to explore an Interdisciplinary Studies major are urged to consult with either their current faculty advisor or the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs,
Dr. Todd Tinsley.