The Interdepartmental Major (IDM), B.A. or B.S.

Nancy Curtin, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Elizabeth Gephart, Interim Dean of the College of Professional Studies

For reasons including broad interests or career aspirations that do not fall categorically into a single major, students may seek out alternative options for earning a bachelor’s degree. The Interdepartmental Major (IDM) is an individualized program of study designed to meet the needs of these students offered by the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Professional Studies. Primary major determines the degree and the college home, as well as additional school/college/distribution requirements for the degree.

This option allows students to pursue an interest not supported by a current major to blend offerings from at least three traditional disciplines into a new major of their own design. As such, proposals for IDMs are expected to integrate these areas of study around a single theme. Developing an IDM curriculum plan can take considerable time and thought, so students should consult as soon as possible with faculty advisor(s) and/or the Dean of College for which the primary major resides to develop a proposal that meets their needs and the requirements of the program.

A student interested in this program should seek out a faculty advisor, who will work with him or her to construct an individualized program that meets the student’s educational objectives, fulfills the requirements of University Studies and the requirements of the College for which the Primary major resides, and demonstrates academic edibility to the University. Students may elect either a BA or BS degree in this major.

1. The Interdepartmental Major must include a minimum of 45 credits including:
   1. A minimum of 18 credits from the primary department and a minimum of 12 credits from each of two other departments within the University.
   2. At least 15 of the 18 credits earned in the primary department and 6 of the 12 credits earned in each of the other departments must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
   3. A capstone course (IN 495 or a capstone course approved for a major sponsored by the primary department) that includes a senior project and a reflection on what has been learned through this interdisciplinary study.
2. The student is responsible for writing a rationale for pursuing the interdepartmental major. This rationale should be developed in close consultation with a faculty member from the College for which the Primary major resides. This rationale must include:
   1. A narrative, naming and describing the major and how it fits into the student’s plans or aspirations;
   2. A description of at least 3 key learning outcome goals for the major;
   3. A description of how the learning outcome goals will be assessed through the capstone course; and
   4. A tentative plan of study that includes the courses selected from each of the three departments.
3. The individualized program plan of study must be approved by a committee of the chairs of all relevant departments (or their designees) and by the Dean of College for which the Primary major resides. The committee, in consultation with the student, will select an advisor. Subsequent revisions of the plan of study must be approved by the advisor after consultation with this committee.
4. A copy of the IDM program plan of study must be filed with the Registrar’s Office and any subsequent changes in program or substitutions of courses in any of the three areas needs to be reported to the Registrar in a timely manner.