The College of Arts and Sciences’ Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (BSIS) is ideal for students who desire a non-traditional approach to learning within a broad range of disciplines. BSIS offers you the opportunity to “build” your own degree based on your academic interests and future plans and credit hours you have already accrued. The BSIS program allows students to prepare for an extensive range of academic and career pursuits requiring functional knowledge of multiple disciplines. Students are prepared to be flexible and adaptable in an ever-changing workplace and can analyze situations or problems from different perspectives.
Students will complete four core courses, select two-three concentrations of interest, and through research, implementation, and writing develop a Capstone Project that integrates the two-three disciplines. Areas of study may be selected from established minors offered at the University or other areas to be determined in consultation with the program director. There is great flexibility in programs that students may choose from, allowing them to individualize their studies in a way that is not possible with other programs.
40
Concentration Options
2-3
Areas of Concentration Required
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Why Choose Interdisciplinary Studies at DSU?
Students within the bachelor’s program in Interdisciplinary Studies research, apply, and integrate their concentrations into a Capstone Project which crowns a student’s BSIS experience. The Capstone Project demonstrates the student’s ability to create, plan, and manage a large project, and then communicate the project’s results to a broad audience orally and in writing. The BSIS program is varied but also comprehensive in that students have working knowledge of multiple disciplines that they analyze and integrate in their Capstone Project.
- 4 Required core courses
- Core courses are fully-online and asynchronous
- Fall, Spring, or Summer enrollment available
- Student advisement available online
- Complete the degree online (depending on concentrations)
- Develops working knowledge of multiple disciplines
- Prepares students to be flexible and adaptable
- Prepares students to analyze situations or problems from different perspectives
”I can't speak highly enough about my experience in the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies program at DSU. It has provided me with a well-rounded education that combines various disciplines and allowed me to explore my diverse interests and passions in depth.
Courtney Simmons, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies majorClass of 2024
What Can I Do with a B.S. Degree in
Interdisciplinary Studies?
The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies is a liberal arts degree which prepares students for a changing workforce and graduate programs. Graduates work in careers in higher education, K-12 education, business, or run their own businesses. The job opportunities are literally endless, due to the broad range of studies that may be pursued. Graduates can find employment in any field or industry and are often preferred candidates for jobs due to their knowledge of multiple areas of study and their ability to see connections not obvious to others. Some graduates have established their own businesses or created non-profit organizations based on an unfulfilled need they identified through their Capstone Project.
Scholarships
At DSU, we’re going to automatically consider you for scholarships. Students seeking the Interdisciplinary Studies degree who have a 3.0 or higher GPA and are enrolled in the program are eligible for the Jutta Karnstedt-Ferretti BSIS Scholarship, which is awarded each March. Students may also be eligible for non-program specific scholarship opportunities.
Program Goals
The BSIS is a university-wide degree program that enables students to create interdisciplinary specialties that prepare them for careers in a world that increasingly bridges academic disciplines. Students pursue two or three subject-area concentrations that represent academic interests they wish to integrate into a meaningful program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants of this program must meet Delta State University’s admission requirements.
There are no additional program admission requirements.
Curriculum
The following courses are required to complete the Interdisciplinary Studies major.
Interdisciplinary Studies
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| BIS 300 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| BIS 310 | Interdisciplinary Research and Applications | 3 |
| BIS 400 | Applied Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| BIS 410 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| – | Students must concentrate on two or three areas of study to be determined in consultation with the program director.
Select either: |
54 |
| TOTAL | 66 | |
Interdisciplinary Studies (with pre-nursing)
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| BIS 300 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| BIS 310 | Interdisciplinary Research and Applications | 3 |
| BIS 400 | Applied Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| BIS 410 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Students must complete the pre-nursing concentration requirements and two additional concentrations determined in consultation with the BSIS Program Director. | ||
| Pre Nursing Concentration
FCS 345: General Nutrition |
13 | |
| – | Two concentrations (Minimum 20 hours for the first, minimum of 21 hours for the second) | 41 |
| TOTAL | 66 | |
Degree Requirements
To earn this degree, you must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including your general education requirements and the major requirements below.
BSIS Requirements
| General Education | 38-41 |
| University Requirement | 1 |
| Major | 66 |
| Electives | 12 |
| TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS | 120 |
BSIS Requirements (with pre-nursing concentration)
| General Education | 41 |
| University Requirement | 1 |
| Major | 66 |
| Electives | 12-15 |
| TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS | 120 |
For more information on degree requirements and specifics on courses needed to complete the degree, consult the Undergraduate Academic Catalog. For a semester-by-semester breakdown on how you can complete this degree in 4-years, visit academic maps.
Fees
Tuition at DSU covers the cost of classes.
This program will require an online course fee of $5/per credit hour for courses that are online.
Please refer to the undergraduate academic catalog for other course-related fees.
Program Contact
Dr. Karen G. Bell
Director of BSIS and Associate Professor of German Literature
P: bsis@dickvsclit.com
T: (662) 846-4279
Office: Broom Hall 333
DSU Box 2377
1003 W. Sunflower Rd. Cleveland, MS 38733
