Interdisciplinary Studies Major, B.A.
Overview
The interdisciplinary studies major provides an innovative space and a flexible, individualized program structure for students who wish to develop a major different from those already offered by the departments and curricula belonging to the College of Arts and Sciences. Interdisciplinary studies majors are designed to support rigorous investigation of a topic, theme, or area of inquiry, mastery of which requires advanced coursework in multiple disciplinary fields. An IDST major allows motivated students to engage complex problems and emerging areas of knowledge that exceed traditional disciplinary boundaries. They must be well conceived and substantially different from majors that students pursue through traditional departments, schools, and curricula. While encouraging creativity, IDST majors will be focused and coherent. Interdisciplinary studies should not be seen as a default major for someone undecided about their course of study.
Interdisciplinary studies majors work with their individually selected faculty advisors to develop a customized program of courses for their designated field. Besides guiding students on course selections, faculty advisors serve as mentors on career planning, graduate work, and co-curricular opportunities. To be admitted to the major, students must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 and at least 45 hours left before graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to meet most of the General Education requirements (e.g., First-Year Foundations and Focus Capacities) before pursuing the interdisciplinary studies major.
Admission to the Program
The interdisciplinary studies major is an application-based program. Students can apply to the major after their first year at UNC. The program has two application deadlines:
- Fall deadline: September 1
- Spring deadline: February 1
Additional instructions about the application process can be found on the Office of Undergraduate Curricula website.
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
Interdisciplinary Studies Major, B.A.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Eight courses chosen from at least three departments and which must be appropriate for juniors and seniors majoring in those departments. 1, 2, 3 | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- 1
A maximum of four courses from any one department
- 2
For students interested in Cultural Studies, COMM 350 Practices of Cultural Studies must be included as one of the eight courses. For more information, please contact the Cultural Studies Faculty Director and Advisor in the Department of Communication.
- 3
With the permission of the relevant professional school, a student may use up to 12 hours of professional courses (e.g., in business administration, media and journalism, information and library science, public health, education) in the IDST major. This can be advantageous to students who want some concentration in these areas but who also want a degree in arts and sciences.
The courses should form a coherent major to which the student is able to assign a title. Additionally, students are encouraged to select electives and General Education courses that complement the eight courses chosen for the major.
Special Opportunities in Interdisciplinary Studies
Qualified students may pursue honors through one of the departments or curricula included in their major core. IDST students may participate in the undergraduate research opportunities available in the departments and curricula that constitute their program of study; they sometimes complete an internship either in the summer or during the academic year, and an honors thesis in their senior year.
