Interdisciplinary Studies (BA/BS)

Program Requirements

Requirements for Admission to The Program

• The IDS Major Requirement Sheet (see your Academic Advisor).
• A proposed major academic plan (MAP).
• A proposal that explains the student's goals and the rationale behind the proposed curriculum.
• An explanation of the proposed capstone experience.
• Signature of the primary emphasis dean verifying that the proposed curriculum will meet the goals and needs of the student.
• A minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at BYU–Hawaii.

Primary Academic Emphasis - 27 Credits

Secondary Academic Emphasis - 15 Credits

Capstone Experience - 1-12 Credits

The required capstone must:

• Be an appropriate academically rigorous culminating undergraduate experience
• Be clearly relevant to your stated academic/career objectives
• Be fully described in an attached letter including details of what will be done, how the experience will be evaluated including specific criteria, and who will evaluate the experience (state the name(s) of the full-time BYUH faculty member(s) and site supervisor if appropriate).
• The capstone experience should be completed in the latter semesters of the degree, may be part of the upper division credit, and must be included on the major academic plan (MAP).
• May be included in emphasis areas above and noted below as the capstone.
  

Outline for Proposal

• Introduce yourself.
• Include an outline of your two proposed areas of study and how they complement each other in relation to your career goals.
• End by requesting that your proposal be considered and approved.
• Make sure it is typewritten, professional and signed.

Capstone Write-up

After consulting with your faculty mentor, write up a proposed capstone experience with as much detail as you can. This could be an internship, research project, etc.

The capstone experience is taken for credit typically during the student’s final semester such as an independent study course (390R), internship (399R), or as student research (496R) depending on its nature. The capstone experience must meet the following criteria:

• It must be clearly relevant to the proposed curriculum and it must integrate the area of primary academic emphasis and the supporting area(s).
• It must approximate the academic rigor of a senior- level capstone course.
• It must be approved in advance by the dean of the area of primary focus, and the report/ results evaluated by that chair. Copy of the report to go to the dean over the primary discipline.
• It must receive all necessary approvals before it is undertaken. No capstone experience will be approved “after the fact”.
• It must be fully described in a written proposal. The description should include the details of what will be done, how the experience will be evaluated including who will evaluate the experience (dean and site supervisor where appropriate).

Fit Within Holokai Program

Students pursuing the IDS major and using the 2017 Holokai program will need two minors or certificates in addition to the primary and secondary emphases within the IDS major.  Of those four areas of emphasis (IDS primary, IDS secondary, minor/cert 1, minor/cert 2), three of them need to be in different breadth categories.  The primary and secondary emphases can count as separate breadth areas, but they cannot replace the need for two additional curricular programs in addition to what is in the IDS major. (Students who are using the 2018 IDS degree in conjunction with 2014/2015 GE program instead of Holokai may do so if eligible.)  (Pre-fall 2017 students using the transition GE (part GE/part Holokai) would need one minor in addition to the primary and secondary emphases within the IDS major.  Of these three areas (one minor, primary, secondary) two of them need to be in different breadth categories if using the transition GE option.)

Other Major Requirements

1. A minimum of 24 credit hours of upper-division credits in the major.
2. A minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at BYU–Hawaii.
3. A Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required.
4. No "D" credits are allowed in the area of primary emphasis. No more than 6 semester hours of "D" credits in the area of secondary emphasis.
5. A successful completion of a pre-approved capstone experience is required to graduate with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Contingent upon completion of the above list of courses and capstone experience, we certify that this student meets all major requirements.

Primary Area Dean PRINT

Primary Area Dean Signature and Date

Major Requirements

Student completing a degree in interdisciplinary studies will complete:

• A minimum of 120 semester hours of earned credit, including all of the general education and religious education requirements.
• A minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at BYU–Hawaii.
• The completion of a minimum of 27.0 credit hours in an academic area of primary emphasis.
• The completion of at least 15.0 credit hours in a secondary discipline that supports the primary discipline.
• If using the 2017 GE program, the primary and secondary emphases can count as separate breadth areas, but they cannot replace the need for two additional curricular programs in addition to what is in the IDS major. Three of the emphases and/or minors must be in different breadth areas
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
• No more than 6.0 semester hours of “D” credits within the major. No “D” credits are allowed in the area of primary emphasis.
• A minimum of 24 upper-division credit hours, excluding GE. (300 or 400-level classes)
• The completion of a “capstone experience,” typically during the student’s final semester.

Faculty

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is overseen by the Deans Council.

Student applications are approved by the dean over the primary discipline selected. Please see an academic advisor and faculty advisor to begin the process of developing an IDS major proposal.

The Discipline

The interdisciplinary studies major effectively allows the student to propose a customized, interdisciplinary program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students who wish to pursue an IDS major should plan to declare this major before reaching 75 credit hours. The program is designed to be flexible within certain limits. This is not a collection of courses that together have neither meaning nor focus.

Career Opportunities

The choice of this type of degree needs to be carefully considered in relation to what career opportunities it will provide. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, it may not lead to job or graduate school opportunities which require a rigorous, structured course load in a single subject. Please discuss this with your faculty advisor. The student has the opportunity to show how their proposal will meet this criterion in their proposal.

Programs and Degrees

B.A. or B.S. in interdisciplinary studies, with the emphasis areas to be listed on the transcript.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrated competence in core learning, abilities and competencies.
• A demonstrated positive capability with diversity, civic responsibility, working with others, and to engage in lifelong learning.
• Demonstrated breadth in the areas of cultural and aesthetic, social and political, as well as scientific and technical knowledge expected of educated persons in this society.
• Communicate proficiently both orally and in writing in the English language.
• Effective uses of critical thinking skills to solve problems.
• Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of software useful in professional environments.
• Learn independently and understand the importance of continuous learning.
• Complete an integrated in-depth focused and sustained course of study of sufficient breadth and depth to prepare them for work, citizenship, and a fulfilling life.

Admission to Program

• The IDS Major Requirement Sheet (see your academic advisor).
• A proposed major academic plan (MAP).
• A proposal that explains the student’s goals and the rationale behind the proposed curriculum.
• An explanation of the proposed capstone experience.
• Signature of the primary emphasis dean verifying that the proposed curriculum will meet the goals and needs of the student.

Capstone Experience

The capstone experience is taken for credit typically during the student’s final semester such as an independent study course (390R), internship (399R), or as student research (496R) depending on its nature. The capstone experience must meet the following criteria:

• It must be clearly relevant to the proposed curriculum and it must integrate the area of primary academic emphasis and the supporting area(s).
• It must approximate the academic rigor of a senior-level capstone course.
• It must be approved in advance by the dean of the area of primary focus, and the report/ results evaluated by that chair. Copy of the report to go to the dean over the primary discipline.
• It must receive all necessary approvals before it is undertaken. No capstone experience will be approved “after the fact”.
• It must be fully described in a written proposal. The description should include the details of what will be done, how the experience will be evaluated including who will evaluate the experience (dean and site supervisor where appropriate).

Approval Process

• Meet with your faculty advisor to select appropriate courses and plan the capstone experience.
• Meet with the academic advisor from your area of primary emphasis to create your M.A.P. and finalize your application.
• Submit your completed proposal and all required attachments to the dean over the primary discipline for final approval. (Note: The final approval may take as long as one month. Submit your proposal early.)

General Education Options

Students pursuing the IDS major who opt for the 2017 General Education Program will need two minors or certificates (short programs) in addition to their primary and secondary emphases. Of those four areas of emphasis (primary, secondary, SP1, SP2) three of them need to be in different breadth areas. The primary and secondary emphases can count as separate breadth areas, but they cannot replace the need for two additional curricular programs in addition to what is in the IDS major.

Financial Assistance

Interdisciplinary studies is a recognized major, but does not belong to one particular program. Students who excel academically are encouraged to apply to the program of their primary emphasis for scholarship assistance. Please contact your primary emphasis program to learn more about their award process and applicable deadlines.

Students who graduate with an interdisciplinary studies major attend the graduation banquet of the program that signs their proposal.