Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) Program
Baccalaureate of Arts (B.A.) / Baccalaureate of Science (B.S.)
Why Interdisciplinary Studies?
The capacity to reason, synthesize, and problem-solve across disciplines is highly valued by all kinds of employers, businesses, and graduate schools. Most of the important problems and crises of the 21st century require interdisciplinary approaches to resolve; for example, we cannot solve the issue of plastic pollution with science alone, nor with behavioral changes such as not littering or recycling. Instead, seemingly intractable problems will require combined approaches and the types of thinkers who can grasp the magnitude of the problems.
About the Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) Degree Plan
Interested in more than one major and how different academic disciplines approach, investigate, and bring different perspectives to bear on similar phenomena? The IS degree plan allows you to work with your College Advising Center, a faculty advisor, or the IS Coordinator to design a degree plan comprising coursework from at least two academic disciplines with a minimum of 45 total units (30 of which must be upper division).
The IS degree plan provides students the flexibility to devise a uniquely integrated course of study, with an advisor, selecting at least 24 total units from at least two academic disciplines from existing programs of study (i.e., majors or minors) offered at Fresno State (including a minimum of 9 units from each discipline).
Program of Study
You will gain a diverse array of transferable skills that you can apply to a variety of fields and careers, while studying subjects that fascinate you. With an academic advisor, you can identify the fields you wish to pursue and propose a custom set of classes for your major requirements, for example:
- At least 9-12 units from Major/Minor 1
- At least 9-12 units from Major/Minor 2
- Elective courses (if needed)
- Capstone Course
Educational Experiences
- Service-Learning
- Internships
- Study Abroad
- International Student Exchange Program
- Undergraduate Research and Undergraduate Research Grant Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Studies is a great fit for
- students looking for a major but cannot find a “good match.”
- students who think “outside the box.”
- students who want to stay at Fresno State but major in a discipline not offered, such as Legal Studies, Nonprofit Administration, Community-based Leadership, Sustainability Policy, etc.
- students more interested in what is IN the major (and the skill set they can develop and hone while pursuing their curriculum), not what the major is titled.
- returning students not currently enrolled in a major (still must meet all current graduation requirements).
Process to request an Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
All students interested in an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree must meet with an academic counselor to complete the IS Degree Application.
The following will be required for APPROVAL of the Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Application:
- Prepare a statement providing reasons for pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree in terms of academic andprofessional goals and why these goals cannot be met through a standard major
- Develop a specific list of courses that would lead to the academic and professional goals with the support of anAcademic Counselor/Faculty Advisor/Department Chair
- Secure the signed approval of the IS Degree Application from an Academic Counselor/Faculty Advisor as well asfrom the Department Chair in the disciplines from which the Interdisciplinary Studies Degree courses are drawn
Once the IS Degree Application is routed and signed by the student, academic counselor/faculty advisor, and departmentchairs, the application is subject to final approval by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairsdesignee (i.e., the Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Studies).