Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Studies Major, B.S.


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Department Information


School of Continuing Studies & Academic Outreach

P.O. Box 70659
916 W. Maple St.
Phone: (423) 439-4223
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/academicaffairs/scs/degrees/bsis.php

The online Bachelor of Science with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies is especially designed to meet the needs of those with limited access to higher education; typically, adult students whose work, place of residence, family obligations, or other confinements have made attendance difficult in traditional on-campus courses. The Interdisciplinary Studies program is most suitable for adults who have completed an associate degree, or at minimum, some college credit, although students with academic interests that are situated between two or more disciplines will find the BSIS program useful as well. The program gives students the opportunity to integrate personal and professional growth through the exploration of perspectives, philosophies and experience in a variety of disciplines. Students complete two areas of concentration, which they may fulfill either by completing an ETSU minor plus 12 credits of related, upper-level coursework in an area appropriate to their educational or professional goals, or by completing two self-designated concentrations in consultation with their academic advisor. Students may obtain the degree entirely through online courses or through a combination of traditional classroom and online courses. Due to the unique nature of the Interdisciplinary Studies degree, students may not double major.

Admission Requirements

  1. Students apply to ETSU and must meet ETSU general admission requirements.
  2. Upon acceptance to ETSU, students complete an admissions interview with an Interdisciplinary Studies advisor. The interview may be completed over the telephone or through some other electronic means. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether the Interdisciplinary Studies major is the best program for the student, or if the student would be better served by another degree program.
  3. Students must complete the Cross-Disciplinary Studies application.
  4. The Interdisciplinary Studies advisor recommends admission or denial to the department chair, Division of Cross-Disciplinary Studies.
  5. The department chair accepts or denies admission.
  6. Transfer credit is accepted only from accredited institutions.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits


General Education 41-42 credits
Major Total Requirement 79 credits
TOTAL 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: BSIS-BS  


General Education Requirements  

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Total Requirements for Interdisciplinary Studies Major: 79 credits


Major Program Requirements


Two Concentrations: The student will complete two concentrations of his/her choice. Each concentration is a minimum of 12 credits of related coursework in the same discipline. Of the 12 credits required for each concentration, 9 of those credits must be at the 3000-4000 levels. There may be no duplication of courses between the two concentrations.

Senior Capstone: Satisfactory completion of the Senior Capstone (BSIS 4210 ) is required to graduate.

Guided electives: The student will complete up to 52 credits of advisor-approved elective courses.

Upper-division requirement: 34 credits of the student’s entire degree program must be at the 3000/4000 levels.

All other graduation requirements of the university must be met. See listing of these requirements in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the catalog.

The Prior Learning/Experiential Learning Portfolio


The prior learning portfolio is an option available only to students in the Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Science with majors in Interdisciplinary Studies that allows them the opportunity to earn credit for their college-level learning that has taken place outside the traditional college classroom. In consultation with the advisor, students prepare a prior learning portfolio. The finished portfolio is submitted to the advisor to appraise form and content. Final approval is made by the appropriate departmental faculty. Credit may only be awarded for prior learning that directly equates to specific ETSU courses.

If a student transfers from the majors listed above to another major, credits earned through the prior-learning portfolio cannot be applied to the new major. No more than 25 percent of the degree may be earned through the prior learning portfolio process. In a 120 credit program, this limit is 30 credits. Credit earned through the prior learning portfolio is ungraded and does not affect the student’s grade point average. Portfolio credit does count as ETSU residence credit.

No Minor Required


Additional Information


Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements. 

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