Interdisciplinary Studies

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 world is complex and diverse. Through Interdisciplinary Studies, students gain the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the 21st century.

The Interdisciplinary Studies major (INT) aims to meet students’ professional and personal goals through an individualized program that integrates knowledge between, across, and among the disciplines in order to create a unique approach to education and scholarship. Each student graduates with a unique program that enables them to stand out amongst their peers.

Students may enroll in the A.A. in INT, completing half of the B.A. program, as a stepping stone to any UMA Bachelor’s program or a means to grow personally and advance professionally. What students do in-and beyond-their INT education at UMA encompasses a range of opportunities and nearly infinite possibilities.

The B.A. in INT is available to new students as well as to transfer students. It is a flexible program that meets students where they are, allowing them to explore their interests, imagine possibilities, and create a future where they can make a difference in their community and the world.

Students are supported by a scaffolded curriculum that provides them with a solid foundation of general education courses and transferable skills that help them to stay nimble and versatile. Students build upon this foundation through program requirements and Interdisciplinary Coursework.

While a student’s foray into the world of interdisciplinary education begins in their first class, the Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies course (INT 208 ) lays a foundation for success by equipping students not only with a bigger picture of higher education, but also a knowledge of disciplines and the multifaceted ways in which interdisciplinarity happens-in the classroom and beyond. Students also develop interdisciplinary research and writing skills as well as skills to help them communicate about the value of their interdisciplinary education.

The deep well of skills and knowledge that students develop in INT 208 is complemented by the opportunity to explore career options and the skills and attributes that each student continues to build upon throughout their INT education.

At every juncture, students have choices so that, with the help of professional academic advising staff and a faculty academic advisor, they can take the courses that best fit their goals and interests-building toward a program that resonates with the student’s values, goals, dreams, and ambitions.

Additional program requirements in humanities and social science provide students with a means to understanding what drives and motivates people and how systems and structures shape our daily lives, individually and collectively.

A student’s Interdisciplinary Coursework area can be designed in three different ways, supported by advising throughout the student’s program:

As a combination of lower and upper-level courses in any variety of disciplines and programs-an exploration of interests, and a diversity that makes the student a valuable asset across a range of employment opportunities.
By choosing a minor (or up to three minors) and creating structure for this Interdisciplinary Coursework area as well as additional credentials listed on the student’s transcript.
By working closely with a faculty academic advisor to create a thematic set of courses that meet specific personal and professional goals-a dream job, a graduate program, or a professional certification.

A course in relevant research/methods strengthens students’ research and writing skills, preparing them for their capstone-a culminating educational experience that meets them where they are. Working closely with a faculty mentor/professor in INT 495 , students develop a paper or project to carry out over the course of a semester-or students can choose a disciplinary capstone or internship project to complete their interdisciplinary program and overall educational experience.

Students may draw from all of UMA’s programs-majors and minors-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 can 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 and Gender, Sexuality, and Media Studies; and American Culture, Gender, and Justice.

The interdisciplinary major is not simply a haphazard arrangement of courses; rather, it is an intentionally crafted major designed to meet the educational and professional goals of students in ways that traditional and existing UMA majors cannot.

Learning Outcomes:

Students enrolled in this program will:

Identify, develop, apply, and synthesize the theories, methods, and critical perspectives of multiple disciplines and/or interdisciplines.
Develop strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills to evaluate information from different perspectives and devise creative solutions to cross-disciplinary challenges.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between disciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and post-disciplinary knowledge.
Develop a commitment to continuous learning and the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge to adapt to evolving insights and effectively analyze complex issues in a rapidly changing world
Develop new interdisciplinary knowledge to better understand, analyze, and work toward solutions to complex issues and social, cultural, and/or global problems.
Effectively articulate and communicate the value of interdisciplinary inquiry and educational goals in diverse social, professional, and educational settings
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.

Advising:

Upon entry to the program, students are assigned a professional academic advisor. Students are encouraged to meet with their professional academic advisor on a regular basis to help ensure a productive and meaningful college experience. At around 60 credit hours, or as a student’s individualized program starts to take shape, the Academic and Career Advising Office, in consultation with the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Coordinator, will assign a faculty academic advisor for Bachelor of Arts interdisciplinary studies majors. A student’s faculty academic advisor works closely with the student as they navigate the options for their Interdisciplinary Coursework area, helping the student choose courses that best meet their overall goals. As with any student, INT majors are free to change advisors.

Admissions:

high school diploma or GED;
satisfactory SAT scores-applicants are never denied admission based solely on test scores;
acceptable class standing, generally upper half of graduating class following a college preparatory program;
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 most general education requirements within their first five semesters alongside program requirements, which may include some courses for their Interdisciplinary Coursework area.
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

Bachelor of Arts

Interdisciplinary Studies, BA

Minor

Certificate

Embodied Social Justice Certificate