The School of Liberal Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree offers students two tracks to complete their degree. Students will select either two or three from the following disciplines to form an interdisciplinary studies degree: African American Studies, Communication, Creative Arts, Creative Writing, English, Psychology, Religious Studies, and History.

Two Discipline Track. The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Two Disciplines requires students to complete 42 credit hours in the major. Student will complete 30 credit hours in the student’s choice of two disciplines from the following: African American Studies, Communication, Creative Arts, Creative Writing, English, Psychology, Religious Studies, and History. Students must also complete 12 credit hours in these required courses: LS 101 Inquiry, Discovery, Practice; LS 201 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies; LS 349 Internship; and LS 452 Capstone Project. In most cases, this degree requires a minimum of 21 credit hours in upper division courses. Students must complete at least 21 of the 42 credit hours required for this major at Spalding University.

Three Discipline Track. The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies requires students to complete 42 credit hours in the major. Student will complete 9-12 credit hours in the student’s choice of three disciplines from the following: African American Studies, Communication, Creative Arts, Creative Writing, English, Psychology, Religious Studies, and History. Please note that students may take no more than 12 credit hours in one discipline. Students must also complete 12 credit hours in these required courses: LS 101 Inquiry, Discovery, Practice; LS 201 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies; LS 349 Internship; and LS 452 Capstone Project. In most cases, this degree requires a minimum of 21 credit hours in upper division courses. Students must complete at least 21 of the 42 credit hours required for this major at Spalding University.

A degree in Interdisciplinary Studies trains the mind for self-assurance, adaptability, and problem solving to meet the needs of the times. Fundamental assumptions of the faculty in the Interdisciplinary Studies include an emphasis on breadth and depth of reading and on critical thinking for social change. The aim of this degree is to understand ourselves so we may understand and explore the world in diverse yet complementary ways.

The value of the degree is reflected in the University's mission to exercise leadership in applying learning to the fundamental needs of human life, and especially to the promotion of peace and justice, in whatever professional or social context students may find themselves. Faculty in Interdisciplinary Studies are committed both to their own specific discipline and to the integration of disciplines. School of Liberal Arts faculty serve as advisors to help students successfully complete their degree program and accomplish their career goals, and each faculty member participates in the teaching of LS 101 and LS 452.

Admission
Students may declare the major at any time. Formal admission to the major occurs after students complete 32 hours of college level course work.

Requirements
All University Studies requirements must be met with a total of 120 semester hours required for graduation. One-third of the 120 hours must be upper division courses. For the Interdisciplinary Studies major, 42 semester hours are required, including LS 101, LS 201, LS 452, an internship, and specific support courses. In most cases, at least one-half of the semester hours applied to the major must be upper division courses.

Assessment
In the senior year, students enroll in LS-452: Capstone Project for which, among other projects, they complete a significant research project reviewed by all faulty in the School of Liberal Arts.

Program Sheet
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - 2 track option
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - 3 track option