Interdisciplinary Studies

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Admissions: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3465 or (207) 621-3465
Advising Center: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3149 or (207) 621-3149
Coordinator: Sarah Hentges
Website: http://www.uma.edu/academics/programs/interdisciplinary/

Description of Major and General Process:

The Interdisciplinary Studies major (INT) asks students to integrate knowledge between and among the disciplines in order to create a unique approach to education and scholarship. The INT major does not simply lump together two or more disciplines, nor does it compile an assortment of courses. Interdisciplinary studies gives students control and ownership over their education so that this education can best meet students’ professional and personal goals.

Students are encouraged to enroll in INT 208: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, which is a requirement for INT majors and is offered every fall.

Students may design an individualized, interdisciplinary major under the supervision of a primary advisor/chair and an Interdisciplinary Studies committee composed of the advisor/chair and two other faculty members. The advisor/chair represents the student’s primary area of study and the other two faculty members represent the other two program areas of concentration that comprise the interdisciplinary major. This INT committee will approve the program of study, provide support and guidance for the student’s program of study, and may offer independent study or internship advising when relevant.

When choosing a major, composed of a primary area of study (36 credits) and two areas of concentration (15 credits each), students should draw from three disciplinary or interdisciplinary areas. For instance, English, History, and Public Policy; American Studies, Gender Studies, and Human Rights; Justice Studies, History, and Education; Math, Art, and Psychology; Business, Health and Human Services, and French. The primary area of study and the two areas of concentration may be disciplinary or thematic and may be composed by combining existing programs or creating relevant theme areas. For instance a student’s major may be named Gender, Art, and Technology and their primary area of study may be Arts and Technology with concentrations in Women’s Studies and Computer Information Systems. Or, a major may be American Cultural Studies with a primary area of study in English and concentrations in American Studies and Sociology.

Students will complete a Statement of Interest and Intent for their major in consultation with their advisor/chair and INT committee which includes an outline of their coursework. Students will also complete an internship and capstone course of their choice as a part of their self-designed INT major.

The interdisciplinary major is not simply a haphazard arrangement of courses; rather, it is a carefully crafted major designed to meet the educational and professional goals of students in ways that traditional and existing UMA majors cannot. Students are required to seek guidance before, during, and after deciding to be an interdisciplinary major and should work closely with their advisor and the INT committee throughout the process.

Outcomes:

Students enrolled in this program will:

• design, propose, and complete a coherent, individualized, and interdisciplinary degree program that is not currently offered at UMA
• write, in collaboration with faculty members, a statement of intent and interest, an outline of courses, and resources the student will utilize toward this major
• experience increased engagement and investment in the educational process
• experience increased satisfaction toward their educational objectives that cannot be met by current departmental majors
• increase their dialogue with and develop closer intellectual and academic relationships with faculty members
• create a broader array of educational opportunities and curriculum possibilities at UMA without additional financial investment
• create opportunities for civic engagement on and off campus

Advising:

All students are required to meet with their advisors prior to registration. An advisor’s signature or electronic equivalent is required for registration. Students are encouraged to continue to meet with their advisors on a regular basis to help ensure a productive and meaningful college experience. The Academic and Career Advising Office will initially assign an academic advisor to all Bachelor of Arts and interdisciplinary studies majors upon acceptance to the college. As with any student, they are free to change advisors. By the time the student is prepared to forward a Statement of Interest and Intent, the student will have established an advisor/chair of their INT committee as well as two other faculty members who represent the students’ areas of concentration. Members of the INT committee are not restricted to UMA faculty; however, the INT committee chair must be a member of the full-time UMA faculty.

Admissions:

1. high school diploma or GED;
2. satisfactory SAT scores-applicants are never denied admission based solely on test scores;
3. acceptable class standing, generally upper half of graduating class following a college preparatory program;
4. through placement testing, or other criteria, students must be eligible for ENG 101 and MAT 100

Applicants who do not meet these requirements may qualify for admission by completing 15 credit hours or more at UMA or comparable course work with a minimum 2.00 grade point average.

Procedures

On their application forms, or during their first three semesters at UMA students may select an “Interdisciplinary” major and will be assigned to an advisor who will help them design their major and complete their learning proposal.

At the end of their third semester (45 credits) students will submit a learning proposal. If the student does not submit a learning proposal by the end of the fourth semester, the Registrar will place the student in the baccalaureate degree that best parallels the student’s academic record. Students may submit a learning proposal for an interdisciplinary major after their fourth semester with approval from the college dean.

Interdisciplinary Studies PROGRAM PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS

• Students may design an individualized, interdisciplinary major, under the supervision of an interdisciplinary studies committee (INT Committee) comprised of a chair and two faculty representing the student’s primary area of study and areas of concentration.
• Students are required to write a Statement of Interest and Intent in their required INT 208 course and to submit this Statement of Interest and Intent and an outline of their program by the end of their fourth semester.
• The student should contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Coordinator for the necessary paperwork and advising.
• This paperwork will contain:

1. The title of the major (e.g. Art Therapy, American Cultural Studies, or Women’s Studies, for instance); and titles of primary area of study and two areas of concentration (all titles may be disciplinary or interdisciplinary); 2. A Statement of Interest and Intent, which includes a rationale for the major, including the student’s personal, educational, and professional goals related to the major; 

3. The name(s) of the academic advisor(s)/INT committee;

4. The student’s INT curriculum: coursework for the major requirements and general education requirements–both for coursework that has been completed as well as coursework that has been planned.

5. Signature page

1. student
2. academic advisor/INT committee chair
3. INT committee member I
4. INT committee member I
5. Intercollegiate Council Chair
6. dean
7. provost

Amending the INT program curriculum is allowable at any time.  Minor changes (substitution of courses, for instance) will be made by the student’s advisor. Major amendments must be approved by the students Interdisciplinary Studies Committee. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will determine whether an amendment is major or minor.

General Education Requirements

• Students are encouraged to complete course prerequisites and the General Education requirements before beginning the Major requirements.
• The foreign language option must be fulfilled by two semesters of the same foreign language.

CLEP Information

• CLEP examinations may be taken at any time in the student’s program.

Transfer Information

• Credit is accepted in transfer only from those institutions accredited by one of the 6 Regional Associations of Schools and Colleges.

Upper Level Courses

• A minimum of 45 upper-level (300-400) credit hours are required to complete the degree.
• Upper level credit is awarded only for those courses numbered as such by UMA.
• Upper level courses in which a grade of “D” was received may be used to meet program requirements, but are not applicable to the minimum upper-level credit hour requirement.

Programs

• Interdisciplinary Studies, BA

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