About

This self-designed degree is perfect for students interested in multiple disciplines, or whose career dreams don’t fit the traditional division of academic subjects at the university.  The Interdisciplinary Studies (BA) – Individually Designed degree lets you assemble courses from two or more disciplines and make connections among them. You’ll gain a breadth of knowledge unparalleled by most academic majors, while also attaining depth in a particular area through a required minor.

This liberal arts degree is especially effective for students interested in emerging fields or who want to remain open to changing career plans. Many students select this major because they see a societal problem they want to help solve, or they are interested in an academic program not currently offered at Appalachian – or one not easily pigeon-holed in one discipline. Professors teaching the course Interdisciplinary Connections: Design (IDS 2002) will guide you in putting together a clear, defensible statement of your goals and developing a contract that consists of 24 semester hours from your selected disciplines.

Examples: New Media Arts (combining Art, Graphic Design and Computer Science); Food Studies (combining Nutrition and cultural studies coursework); Semiotics (combining film studies coursework, Communication, Art and Psychology); or Expressive Arts (combining Dance, Art and Psychology).

After Graduation

Employment: Many students move directly into their chosen careers.  Given the wide range of interests covered by students through the self-designed degree program, our graduates have gone into a wide range of careers in healthcare, education, the entertainment industry, museums and cultural heritage sites, new media design, marketing and many other professional fields.

Graduate School: Some students choose to pursue graduate study, law school, medical school, or other professional programs.

Career Exploration website

People

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  Student Profile: Jesse Barber

  Jesse Barber designed his own interdisciplinary studies major with a focus on documentary studies in Appalachia. Through a class project, he produced and published a photo book featuring images of the New River and the people who interact with the waterway.

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  Alumna Profile: Julianna Roupas '21

  Julianna Roupas ’21 wrote her own ticket to medical school with a self-designed major at App State, combining biology, chemistry and exercise science into an interdisciplinary studies degree.

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Beth Davison

  “I want to hear what people are interested in and work with students to help them pursue their career goals.”

  – Dr. Beth Davison, professor

Related Program

• Interdisciplinary Studies (BS)

Minors

A minor is required. Students often choose a minor that complements their self-designed program of study and demonstrates depth in a particular domain of knowledge — for example: Game Design, with a minor in Computer Science; Leadership and Community Engagement, with a minor in Non-Profit Organizations; or Eco-Therapy, with a minor in Sustainable Development.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Appalachian has more than 300 clubs and organizations, representing lots of interests that may pertain to focus areas selected for this degree.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

An approved "Program of Study Contract.” This contract will consist of a minimum of 24 semester hours selected from two or more disciplines with at least 12 semester hours at the 3000 level or above. The contract may be changed, but only with the approval of the IDS advisor and the department chair. A copy of the approved contract must be on file in the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office.