Interdisciplinary Studies

About the Program

Dr. Matthew Jendian, Program Coordinator
Email: matthewj@mail.fresnostate.edu
https://interdiscip-studies.html

Message From the Coordinator

The B.A. or B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies is a unique degree at California State University, Fresno that allows students to design their own distinct course of study by choosing coursework from at least two different academic programs.  Interdisciplinary education provides students with distinct benefits and opportunities because the world constantly challenges us to address complicated problems that demand intellectual creativity, flexibility, and out-of-the-box thinking. By engaging with different academic perspectives, an interdisciplinary student becomes an agile thinker with diverse skill sets prepared to thrive in a variety of professional environments. For example, careers paths such as healthcare, business, government, and the community benefit sector demand workers grounded in systems-thinking who can integrate diverse ways of understanding and solving problems.

The goal of Interdisciplinary Studies at Fresno State is to provide students with an academically rigorous, meaningful, and forward-looking degree that provides students with the critical thinking skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving academic and career environment. We strive to provide the necessary support to students so they can be agents of change in both their personal and professional lives. 

Whether you are a first-year student, transfer student, continuing student, or returning student, please use our website to learn more about how to apply for an IS degree. We look forward to a conversation with you about a degree plan that works for your future.

Mission

To provide a customizable interdisciplinary degree plan designed for students who want deeper engagement with the development of their course of study and want their undergraduate education to correspond to their post-graduate goals, including professional programs, graduate school, and careers while maintaining academic integrity.

Goal

To enhance our university’s ability to respond to the needs, demands, and capacities of diverse student populations by serving as an institutional pathway that fosters interdisciplinary and engaged scholarship that hones students’ abilities to think critically and creatively, seek knowledge in and across disciplines, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively and ethically.

Students earning a B.A./B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies at Fresno State will be able to

1. Articulate the interconnectedness of their chosen areas of study and the ways in which these will help them achieve personal and professional goals;
2. effectively communicate interdisciplinary educational goals and knowledge to others;
3. apply their knowledge and skills to current challenges facing individuals, communities, and societies.

Program Benefits 

• Critical Thinking
  Students learn to reflect on innovative ideas from multiple perspectives, and to consider alternative ways of building knowledge.

• Collaboration
  Students work together to solve problems, which can help them develop teamwork and communication skills.

• Creativity
  Students can synthesize ideas and characteristics from two or more disciplines, which can lead to more creative thought processes.

• Adaptability
  Students learn to apply their knowledge in different contexts, which can help them thrive in diverse fields and industries.

• Interdisciplinary education can also help students

  • understand how their major relates to other disciplines

  • appreciate different viewpoints and respect diverse opinions 

  • form their own ideas and opinions

  • objectively evaluate conflicting perspectives

  • gain a more comprehensive worldview

  • develop transferable skills

  • be open-minded and willing to consider new and different ideas

  • learn more readily

  • get a deeper understanding of the material

​Career Options 

What can i do with a degree in interdisciplinary studies?
Students can choose from a variety of themes depending on their career goal. Below you will find several themes and a list of different departments that offer relevant courses that may be drawn from for the IS Degree Plan. 

• Pre-Medicine/Physician Associate* (Biology, Chemistry, Gerontology, Kinesiology, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Nursing, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology)

• Law* (Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicano & Latin American Studies, Criminology, History, Humanics - Philanthropic & Community-based Leadership, International Security & Conflict Resolution, Latin American Studies, Philosophy, Political Science)

• Social and Behavioral Science* (Africana Studies, Anthropology, Child & Family Science, Chicano & Latin American Studies, Counseling, Geography & City and Regional Planning, History, Political Science, Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies)

• Teaching* (Child & Family Science, Counseling, English, Geography & City and Regional Planning, Liberal Studies, History, Math, Psychology, Sociology, Special Education)

• Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or Community-Based Leadership* (Aerospace Studies, Business - Management, Communication, Humanics - Philanthropic and Community-based Leadership, Nursing, Psychology, Public Health, Recreation Administration, Sociology)​

*All degrees listed on the diploma would read B.A./B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Make an appointment today to discuss your IS Degree Plan:

• Meet with a member of the advising team at the University Advising Center.
• Contact a faculty advisor in one of your major departments.
• Email Dr. Jendian at matthewj@mail.fresnostate.edu

Programs

• Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.
• Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.