Degree Requirements

The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies is an individually designed major option for students who wish to create a program of study by combining selected courses from two or more majors. Students are required to identify a central organizing theme of their Interdisciplinary Studies Major and design it under the guidance and supervision of an Interdisciplinary Studies Advisor (Provost or designate). A minimum of 20 of the major credits must be upper division courses. Students meet all General Education Requirements. Courses cannot double count within the Major and as General Education Requirements.

Process to design an Interdisciplinary Studies Major

• Students identify the unifying theme of their program and present their concept at a meeting with the Interdisciplinary Studies Chair (the Provost or designate).
• In conference with an Advisor appointed by the Interdisciplinary Studies Chair, students make a list of the courses they have completed or plan to take that will apply toward their academic goals. This list must comprise a minimum of 45 semester credits, all of which are related to the areas of concentration.
• The courses in the Primary Concentration (24 credits) are to be selected from one academic discipline offered at NU. The courses in the Secondary Concentration may come from any number of areas as long as interrelationships are discernible.
• One of these courses must be an internship. It is recommended that the internship be related to the primary concentration, but in consultation with advising, it is possible for it to be related to the secondary concentration.
• A minimum of 20 credits between the two concentrations must be upper division (3000- and 4000- level) courses.
• Students draft a statement that describes the proposed major theme and discusses the interrelationships among the courses that were chosen.
• This proposal is submitted to the Interdisciplinary Studies Chair for approval. The contract must be approved at least 30 credits prior to graduation.