View the Interdisciplinary Studies Video
Visit the International and Global Studies (IGS) Web Site


Photo: 2007 INDS graduate Truc Nguyen, winner of the "Best Capstone Project" award,
with INDS Director Patricia LaNoue

Career and Academic Paths
Academic Advising
B.A. or B.S. Degree
Honors Program
Combined BA/M.P.S. Program
Special Opportunities
Student Organizations
The Two Types of Interdisciplinary Studies Proposals
Interdisciplinary Studies Program Process
Requirements of an Interdisciplinary Studies Proposal
INDS Course list

Interdisciplinary Studies Office
Fine Arts 546
tel. 410-455-2004
Campus map
Contact us

Interdisciplinary Studies Program

The Interdisciplinary Studies program at UMBC provides students the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree by designing their own unique course of study according to their specific educational and career goals.

Individually designed majors are ideal for students who wish to be engaged in a collaborative academic environment and to work closely with faculty and staff. Degree proposals must be developed with faculty guidance, facilitated and supported by the Interdisciplinary Studies advisors and approved by the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee.

The completion of the proposed major must be possible through educational experiences at UMBC, although a reasonable number of approved courses at other institutions may be included if necessary to the academic integrity of the proposal. Independent study, internships, research, study abroad, and creative work are encouraged and may be included. Listed below are a sampling of INDS concentrations.

American history and literature
Biomechanics
Chinese language and culture studies
Community health
Day care management
Educational policy
Information systems and music
Intercultural conflict resolution
Medical illustration
Music performance and anthropology
Philosophy and mathematics
Neuroscience
Religious studies and counseling
Science journalism
Writing for the theater
Biomedical ethics

Since opening its doors in 1966, UMBC has offered students the opportunity to create their own individualized major. With over 200 majors drawing on a variety of disciplines, the Interdisciplinary Studies program connects with all areas of academic life at UMBC.

Interdisciplinary Studies graduates are prepared to enter a variety of careers or to pursue advanced and professional training. Recent graduates have embarked on careers with investment firms, the media, environmental organizations, computer firms, allied health organizations, and in all levels of government. Others have pursued advanced training and completed their masters and doctorates in a variety of disciplines. Interdisciplinary Studies alumni also include graduates of professional schools, including medicine, divinity, and the law.
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Interested in learning more about being an Interdisciplinary Studies major? Contact Carrie Sauter at csauter@umbc.edu or 410-455-2037 to schedule an appointment.

All students majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies must have the written approval of their INDS advisor prior to registration. Students are encouraged to keep in close contact with their academic advisors as well. The advisors are available to discuss academic programs, course selection, internships and independent studies, study abroad options and other areas of academic concern. Students are encouraged to visit the INDS lounge (FA 529) to meet informally with other INDS students and staff.
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Students may complete the requirements for either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Contact the Interdisciplinary Studies for additional information.
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Qualified students are encouraged to pursue an honors program. In order to graduate with honors in Interdisciplinary Studies, students must have an overall 3.5 GPA as well as a 3.5 GPA in their major and must successfully complete at least 12 credits of approved advanced honors courses, including the INDS Seminar and Final Project.
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The Interdisciplinary Studies program and the Policy Sciences Graduate Program cooperate in offering qualified students a joint program leading to both a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Policy Sciences degree. Students in the joint program can earn the two degrees in five years.
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Students are encouraged to complete at least one internship in their specific area of interest. Recent interns have completed practica in such areas as law enforcement, social services, retail, health care, education, and the environment. Students arrange for their own internships under the guidance of INDS advisors (INDS 410).

The final project required of all Interdisciplinary Studies majors enables the student to work closely with a faculty mentor. The student pursues an area of independent research with the primary faculty mentor closely monitoring the student's work (INDS 490).
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The Interdisciplinary Studies Council of Majors is open to all INDS majors and to students interested in an interdisciplinary approach to education. The Council meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 1 o'clock in Fine Arts 529. The Council sponsors social and educational events throughout the year and provides an informal student network among majors.
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In Type A proposals, students have the opportunity to do integrative studies focusing on a thematic area of concentration combining several disciplines. Representative Type A proposals include: behavioral neuroscience, biocommunications, Chinese studies, environmental science, international finance, and women's studies.

In Type B proposals, students draw from two or three disciplines of academic study. Examples include: information systems and economics; English and history; biology and ancient studies; music and engineering; social work and photography; music and information systems.

This option is suggested for students with broad intellectual interests. Instead of a thematic concentration, students may take a minimum of 18 credits in courses at the 200-level or above for each of two disciplines or 15 credits in each of three disciplines. At least 15 credits must be in courses at the 300-level or above.
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Interested students should view the videotape describing the program, then consult with an advisor from the Interdisciplinary Studies program to further explore the advisability of the major. The minimum GPA for students entering the Interdisciplinary Studies Program is 2.5.

Following the initial interview, students should continue exploring options with at least two faculty advisors selected to guide them through the proposal process. One of the advisors must have full-time faculty status in either a department or program at UMBC. Academic requirements must be discussed with faculty and the program's advisors before completion of the proposal form and submission to the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee.

The proposed degree plan should be submitted when the student earns 60 credits and before the student earns 90 credits. Each degree proposal must be endorsed in writing by the two faculty advisors and must be approved by the Interdisciplinary Studies advisor for submission to the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee for their consideration.
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The proposed degree plan should reflect the student's intellectual and career goals and should represent an advanced level of study. The proposal must be submitted on forms available in the Interdisciplinary Studies Office.

The proposed degree plan must comprise courses from at least two different academic departments, but cannot reflect a course of study presently available within an existing academic department at UMBC.

The proposed degree plan must consist of at least 42 credits of standard university course work. (The average number of credits in a degree proposal is 56.) A maximum of 12 upper-level credits from another institution may be included.

The majority of courses on the proposed degree plan must be at the 300-400 level. No 100-level courses may be listed for the proposed major. All University degree requirements must be met, including the general foundation and upper-level requirements.

Each Interdisciplinary Studies major is required to take at least one Interdisciplinary Studies seminar. Seminar courses may be repeated as long as the topics vary.

A Final Project, under the direction of the primary academic advisor, must be completed in the student's senior year. The project may consist of a paper dealing with specific research, a review of an important interdisciplinary topic, a composition, a video, an artistic endeavor exhibiting the culmination of a specific area of study, or other work approved by the faculty advisor and the ISC.

A grade of "C" or better must be earned for each course listed on the proposed degree plan. The grade of "pass" is acceptable if a course is offered only on that basis.

Any change in the approved degree plan must be requested in writing, approved by both of the student's faculty advisors and the Interdisciplinary Studies advisor, and approved by the Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies program.
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