The Interdisciplinary Studies concentration in Professional Studies provides students an opportunity to pursue a general liberal arts education while also acquiring valuable career proficiency. The Professional Studies program is aligned with many of the core attributes that employers seek in a candidate, drawing from many disciplines. Advanced coursework is required in the form of a professional focus chosen in consultation with an advisor. The Professional Studies program offers students flexibility in designing a major that meets their interests.

Interdisciplinary Studies recognizes that academic disciplines do not exist in a vacuum, that to fully understand a subject one must move beyond the silos of the individual disciplines and integrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are to be found in related, complementary academic subjects. Thus the student will study at least two different subjects in the Interdisciplinary program, looking for connections between them.

Note: This information will be updated in more detail and published in the 2023-2024 Course Catalog, which will go Live sometime in the summer of 2023.

Major Requirements

NOTE: Of the 36 credits required for this major, at least 9 credits must be at the 300 level or higher.

Core Skills

18 credits in core skill area courses, including at least one course in each of any four of the areas. Courses that will fulfill each area are listed below. Courses which appear under multiple headings may be counted toward only one skill area. General Education requirements will not count towards courses required for Core skills; 18 credits are required in addition to General Education requirements. (Students may seek approval from the Professional Studies Coordinator to apply courses not included in the lists below to a given Core skill area.)

Core Skill Areas

  • A course to develop Communication skills
    Business 213
    English 200
    English 201
    Health 218
    Psychology 235
    Rehabilitation & Human Services 200
    Rehabilitation & Human Services 270
    Special Education 106
    Theater 115
  • A course to develop Technology skills
    Any Technology or Computer Science  course
    Art 112A
    Art 223A
    Art 239A
    Art 244A
    Environmental Policy and Planning / Geography 204
    Environmental Policy and Planning / Geography 304
  • A course to develop Creativity
    Early Childhood Education 256
    Any Art, Art History, Music, Music History, Theater, or Creative Writing course
  • A course to develop Quantitative skills
    Any Economics or Mathematics course
    Business 203
    Business 204
  • A course to develop Critical reading skills
    Any History or Literature course
  • A course to develop Leadership or Business skills
    Any Business course

Professional Focus

A minimum of 18 credits chosen in consultation with your advisor. The courses for a professional focus may be drawn from the list of courses required for a particular major or minor, or may be individualized with the advice and approval of the Integrative Studies Program (ISP) Council. No more than two courses can be at the 100 level. Courses used for this requirement are in addition to General Education and Core skills requirements.

General Educaton Requirements

For specific information about General Education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of teh 2023-24 Catalog, which will be published i hte summer of 2023.

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 120

Learning Goals and Assessment

Students will be able to integrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are to be found in related, complementary academic subjects chosen by the student and as delineated in a clearly defined conceptual framework.