Program Overview

The BS/BA Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) degree offered at Florida A&M University provides a flexible program of study designed to enable students to pursue a well-rounded education that best fits their educational goals. Students seeking a broad educational focus may pursue the BS/BA Interdisciplinary Studies degree and design a program of study from select areas of emphasis to meet their individual career goals. Students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Studies undergraduate degree will be offered the opportunity to develop competencies across a variety of disciplines and combine previous academic course work that will lead to a high quality education at Florida A&M University. Because of the unique nature of this program, First-time in College (FTIC) and entering transfer students will be required to complete at least 60 credit hours at the college level prior to enrolling in the program. Students are strongly encouraged to work with advisors in the program once they have declared Interdisciplinary Studies as their major.

General Education Requirements

All students enrolled in the lower division programs of the university must complete a minimum of thirty-six (36) hours of approved general education.

Areas of Emphasis Requirements

The BS/BA Interdisciplinary Studies degree will consist of 120 credit hours. Students will select, in consultation with the advisor, least one core area of emphasis at thirty (30) hours and one minor or two core areas of emphasis at fifteen (15) hours each and one minor. The two areas of study combined must contain at least fifteen (15) upper level hours and they cannot overlap with each other or the minor. If a student chooses one core area of emphasis of 30 hours, a minimum of fifteen (15) hours at the upper level must be completed within the selected core area. Students select from nine core areas of emphasis from the following list:

• Health
• Science
• Education
• Quantitative Analysis
• Social Science
• Humanities
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Global Studies
• Communication and Design

Only grades of “C” (2.0) or better in each course are accepted in the students’ selected area of emphasis in their degree plan. In addition to the area of emphasis, students are required to complete a minor as part of the IS degree.

Minor Requirements

To satisfy minor requirements, students must complete at least 18 hours in a single discipline or select from a list of pre-designated minors. In some cases, students will be required to contact the department in which they plan to seek a minor to determine the requirements. Prior to selecting a minor, students are encouraged to meet with the IS advisor.

Foreign Language Requirement

The Bachelor of Science degree does not require 12 hours of foreign language however, students must have completed the foreign language admissions requirement in high school or its equivalent in college credits in order to graduate. In contrast, students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree must satisfy the foreign language requirement of 12 credit hours.

Computer Literacy

The program requires students to be computer literate by taking an appropriate course or by demonstrating mastery of certain computer competencies.

Degree Completion Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits for the Interdisciplinary Studies degree, of which forty-eight (48) hours must be at the 3000/4000 level and have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to graduate.