Robert Brady
Program Director
Kimpel Hall 417
479-575-3048
rbrady@uark.edu
The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is targeted toward highly motivated students whose interests, needs, and talents are not reflected or met by existing majors. It is a major in which students will pursue coursework from two or more traditional disciplines in sufficient depth and breadth to prepare them for employment or graduate/professional study. The major will lead to a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies.
The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is targeted toward highly motivated students whose interests, needs, and talents are not reflected or met by existing majors. It is a major in which students will pursue coursework from two or more traditional disciplines in sufficient depth and breadth to prepare them for employment or graduate/professional study. The major will lead to a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
There are three options for students who wish to pursue a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies:
- Option 1 – Construction of an Interdisciplinary Studies major consisting of three thematically linked minors, at least one of which from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Students will follow the specific program requirements as specified by each minor. For Option 1, Thematically Linked Coursework must contain a minimum of 45 credit hours with a maximum number of hours dependent on which group of three minors are selected.
- Option 2 – Construction of an Interdisciplinary Studies major consisting of a thematically linked set of coursework primarily selected from, but not limited to, courses in Fulbright College. For Option 2, Thematically Linked Coursework must contain a minimum of 45 credit hours with a maximum of 21 hours of course work from a single discipline. Thirty credit hours of the proposed coursework must be numbered at the 3000-level or higher. At least two-thirds of the advanced level coursework must be completed on the UA-Fayetteville campus.
- Option 3 - Construction of an Interdisciplinary Studies major consisting of three to five thematically linked minors, certificates and microcertificates, at least one of which from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Students will follow the specific program requirements as specified by each minor, certificate, and/or microcertificate. For Option 3, Thematically Linked Coursework must contain a minimum of 45 credit hours with a maximum number of hours dependent on which minors, certificates or microcertificates are selected.
In addition to the Plan of Study, students wishing to pursue the interdisciplinary studies major must also submit a narrative statement that (1) expresses how the proposed coursework (or group of minors) fit together thematically; (2) expresses why the student's interests and needs are not met by existing degree programs; and (3) expresses how the interdisciplinary studies major contributes to the student's career goals and post-graduate opportunities.
Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements:
Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better on coursework constituting the major (e.g., Options 1, 2, or 3) for continuation in the program and in order to graduate with an Interdisciplinary Studies major. Should a student's GPA in the major fall below 2.5, he or she will have one semester to bring the GPA back to an acceptable level.
In addition to the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements (see under Degree Completion Program Policy), the following course requirements must be met.
State minimum core requirements may vary by individual, based on placement and previous credit granted. Once all core requirements are met, students may substitute with general electives in consultation with their academic advisor.
| State Minimum Core | 35 | |
| IDST Requirement | 6 | |
| Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Senior Capstone | ||
| Thematically Linked Coursework 1 | 45-57 | |
Option 1 - Three minors | ||
Option 2 - Thematically linked set of coursework | ||
Option 3 - Minors/certificates/microcertificates | ||
| General Electives 2 | 22-34 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Thematically Linked Coursework approved by the IDST program is considered to meet College Residency and Major Residency requirements.
- 2
Students must present for degree credit at least 40 credit hours of work in courses numbered 3000 and above. Included in these 40 hours can be courses numbered 2000 if each has a specific course designated as a prerequisite. If Thematically Linked Coursework is not sufficient to satisfy the 40 credit hour rule, general electives must be used as needed to meet this requirement.
Writing Requirement: To complete the Fulbright College writing requirement, students must submit one of the following:
- Complete at least one upper-division course that satisfies the College Writing Requirement in one of the disciplines contributing to the student's course plan (Option 1 or Option 2).
- Submit to the program director a research paper that is no less than 12 pages in length, includes 10 references, and is written in an upper-division course in one of the disciplines contributing to the student's course plan (Option 1 or Option 2).
Interdisciplinary Studies B.A.
Eight-Semester Degree Plan
Students wishing to follow the eight-semester degree plan should see the Academic Regulations chapter for university requirements. University Core requirements may vary by individual, based on placement and previous credit granted. Once all University Core requirements are met, students may substitute a 3-hour (or more) general elective in place of a core area.
Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program develop individualized course plans. These courses are referred to in the plan below as IDST Course Plan hours.
| First Year | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| ENGL 1013 Composition I (ACTS Equivalency = ENGL 1013) | 3 | |
| MATH 1203 College Algebra (ACTS Equivalency = MATH 1103) (or higher if appropriate for IDST individual plan)) | 3 | |
| Approved science core lecture requirement with corequisite lab requirement. | 4 | |
| Elementary II world language course (recommended) | 3 | |
| Fine Arts core requirement | 3 | |
| ENGL 1023 Composition II (ACTS Equivalency = ENGL 1023) | 3 | |
| Approved science core lecture with corequisite lab requirement | 4 | |
| Intermediate I world language course (recommended) or other Humanities core course requirement | 3 | |
| HIST 2003 History of the American People to 1877 (ACTS Equivalency = HIST 2113) or HIST 2013 History of the American People, 1877 to Present (ACTS Equivalency = HIST 2123) or PLSC 2003 American National Government (ACTS Equivalency = PLSC 2003) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 16 |
| Second Year | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Social Science core requirement | 3 | |
| IDST Course Plan | 12 | |
| Social Science core requirement | 3 | |
| IDST Course Plan | 11 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 14 |
| Third Year | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Social Science core requirement | 3 | |
| IDST Course Plan | 12 | |
| IDST Course Plan | 15 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Fourth Year | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| IDST Course Plan | 15 | |
| IDST Course Plan | 14 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 14 |
| Total Units in Sequence: | 120 | |
