Interdisciplinary Studies B.S.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Department of University Studies,
University College
(770) 423-6930

The Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies allows students maximum flexibility to custom-design a curriculum that will help them meet their personal and career goals. Such a program of study must assure depth as well as breadth of study; it is not a degree completion program and not a vehicle for students needing a degree program to satisfy something other than a clearly defined academic objective. It is designed to be as academically rigorous as any other degree program on campus. Therefore, students must take a total of 39 upper-division hours across at least two different disciplines. A minimum of 12 upper-division hours must be taken in each discipline. Students must earn a grade of C or above in these upper-division requirements, as well as meet the university’s general education requirements and complete an additional 15 hours of upper-level course work addressing writing and/or communication skills; an understanding of theory and culture; and the ability to apply and integrate skills in the selected disciplines. Nine hours of related studies courses must also be built into the IDS curriculum. To graduate, an IDS major must have completed a minimum of 123 credit hours, including those mandated by the IDS degree. To ensure a coherent degree plan, an IDS major must construct a written rationale explaining how combining the two (or three) disciplines addresses the student’s personal and career goals. Each student will be required to meet with one of the IDS Program advisors in the Department of University Studies to draw up the proposed curriculum and formulate the rationale. In order to have an IDS curriculum approved, a student must have an adjusted GPA (AGPA) of 2.5.

In summary, an IDS student must

• work with an IDS advisor to construct a degree plan combining at least two disciplines
• have an adjusted GPA (AGPA) of at least 2.5 to enter the program; take 39 hours in upper division courses from these (or related) disciplines
• write a formal rationale for the degree, explaining why the personal and professional goals outlined there cannot be fulfilled with one of the degrees already offered at KSU and addressing any courses that do not obviously fit into the proposed curriculum
• have some summative experience, through research, coursework, internship, or practicum, to give an applied focus to the degree.

Once an IDS proposal is complete, the IDS director will send the proposal to the department or program for each of your disciplinary concentrations for evaluation and approval.

Note: Interested IDS majors may choose to add a Leadership Concentration to their program of study. The Leadership Studies Concentration consists of 15 hours of IDS leadership course work in courses with the prefix “LDRS,” along with 9 additional hours of other related KSU leadership courses.

For more information, contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program in the Department of University Studies or visit the website at http://www.kennesaw.edu/university_studies/ids/index.shtml.