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, across, and among the disciplines in order to create a unique approach to education and scholarship. Unlike the Liberal Studies major, the INT major does not simply compile an assortment of courses toward the 121 credit hours needed for graduation. Interdisciplinary studies gives students control and ownership over their education so that this education can best meet students’ professional and personal goals. Each student graduates with a unique program that enables them to stand out amongst their peers.

Students are encouraged to contact the program coordinator for an initial consultation and to enroll in INT 208: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, which is a requirement for INT majors and is offered every fall. The INT major is available to new students as well as to transfer students, and while a student may enroll in the INT major at any time, it is best to begin no later than the end of the second year of study, or after completing approximately 60 credit hours.

Beginning in INT 208, and working with faculty advisors, students design an individualized, interdisciplinary program that includes courses of interest to the student, organized in three disciplinary or interdisciplinary areas: the primary area of study (36 credits) and two areas of concentration (15 credits each).  Each of these areas is unique to the student’s program. Students may draw from all of UMA’s disciplinary programs and may also include courses from other UMS campuses, transfer courses from other universities and community colleges, independent studies courses, and internship courses as relevant. Each semester students receive individualized advising as they map their way through their vision for their major

Students name their major to reflect their personalized program. Some past majors include: Intersectional Culture, Care, and Advocacy;  Social Justice in Art, Culture and Community;  Critical Studies of Literature, Gender, Health, and Sexuality; Information Technology; Art Therapy;   Culture, Community, and Trauma;  Biology, French, and History;  Embodied Health, Language, and Culture; Integrative Management;  German Language and Culture;  English, Art, and Business; Culture and Stage;  Mental Health, Justice, and Advocacy;  Human Rights and Advocacy;  Mental Health, Language Arts, and Social Justice; Educational Advocacy;  Health and Human Services & Language Arts; The Science and Practice of Health & Sport;  Women, Gender, and Sexuality in American Culture; Music, Business & Audio Science for Support in the Arts; Psychology, Culture, and Education;  Critical Theory, Gender and Sexuality, and Media Studies; and American Culture, gender, and Justice.

In INT 208, students complete a Statement of Interest and Intent for their major and draft an electronic portfolio that they will add to throughout their education at UMA. Toward the end of their program, students will also complete a capstone 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 advisors throughout the process.

Outcomes:

Students enrolled in this program will:

• Identify, develop, apply, and synthesize the theories, methods, and critical perspectives of three disciplines or interdisciplines.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and the value of interdisciplinary inquiry.
• Develop new interdisciplinary knowledge.
• Develop, articulate, achieve, and analyze educational goals by employing interdisciplinary theory and methodology.
• Effectively communicate interdisciplinary educational goals and knowledge to others.
• Develop an awareness of diverse peoples, cultures, and ideas, and appreciate the importance of engaging in lifelong interdisciplinary learning to become informed and responsible global citizens.
• Develop and apply critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.

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 Bachelor of Arts interdisciplinary studies majors to the INT program coordinator upon acceptance to the college. As with any student, they are free to change advisors.

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.

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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