Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST)

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 following credit hour requirements must be met (see Degree Completion Program Policy for additional information).

State minimum core requirements may vary by individual, based on placement and previous course credit earned. Once all core requirements are met, students may substitute with general electives in consultation with their academic advisor.

Students are required to submit an application to join the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and to include a proposed plan of study to the program director. 

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is designed for motivated students with unique interests, needs, and talents that traditional majors do not fully meet. The major can provide a broad range of knowledge and skills that will prepare students for various career paths or further studies at the graduate or professional level. Students completing the major will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Students who wish to pursue a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies have three options:

• Option 1 – Construction of an Interdisciplinary Studies major consisting of three thematically linked minors, at least one of which must come from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Students will follow the specific program requirements as specified by each minor. For Option 1, the 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 thematically linked 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 30000-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 must come 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, the 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.

Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements

¹

IDST 20003 should be taken as early as possible, ideally in the first semester in the major.

²

Students must present for degree credit at least 40 credit hours of work in courses numbered 30000 and above. Included in these 40 hours can be courses numbered 20000 if each has a specific course designated as a prerequisite. Additionally, students must complete 30 credit hours of work from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. If Thematically Linked Coursework is not sufficient to satisfy the 40 credit hour  and 30 credit hour rules, general electives must be used as needed to meet these requirements.

Writing Requirement:

Students majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies will satisfy the writing requirement by successful completion of IDST 40103 Senior Capstone.

Requirements for B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies

The following credit hour requirements must be met (see Degree Completion Program Policy for additional information).

State minimum core requirements may vary by individual, based on placement and previous course credit earned. Once all core requirements are met, students may substitute with general electives in consultation with their academic advisor.

Students are required to submit an application to join the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and to include a proposed plan of study to the program director. 

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is designed for motivated students with unique interests, needs, and talents that traditional majors do not fully meet. The major can provide a broad range of knowledge and skills that will prepare students for various career paths or further studies at the graduate or professional level. Students completing the major will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Students who wish to pursue a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies have three options:

• Option 1 – Construction of an Interdisciplinary Studies major consisting of three thematically linked minors, at least one of which must come from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Students will follow the specific program requirements as specified by each minor. For Option 1, the 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 thematically linked 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 30000-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 must come 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, the 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.

Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements

¹

IDST 20003 should be taken as early as possible, ideally in the first semester in the major.

²

Students must present for degree credit at least 40 credit hours of work in courses numbered 30000 and above. Included in these 40 hours can be courses numbered 20000 if each has a specific course designated as a prerequisite. Additionally, students must complete 30 credit hours of work from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. If Thematically Linked Coursework is not sufficient to satisfy the 40 credit hour  and 30 credit hour rules, general electives must be used as needed to meet these requirements.

Writing Requirement:

Students majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies will satisfy the writing requirement by successful completion of IDST 40103 Senior Capstone.

Interdisciplinary Studies B.A.
Eight-Semester Degree Plan 

Students enrolling in the eight-semester degree plan should review the Eight-Semester Degree Completion Policy.

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.

Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program develop individualized course plans. These courses are referred to in the plan below as IDST Course Plan hours.

¹

Students must complete the State Minimum Core and the requirements of their major(s) as outlined in the Catalog of Studies. These courses also fulfill many, if not all, of the General Education Requirements. Please visit these pages in the links provided and consult with your academic advisor when making course selections to fulfill these requirements.

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.