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Interdisciplinary Studies (BS)

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 (BS) degree lets you assemble courses from two or more science and/or social science 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 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: Hispanic Health (combining biology, health care and Spanish); Sustainable Nutrition (combining nutrition and sustainable development); Cross-Cultural Studies (combining anthropology, psychology and sociology); Documentary Studies (combining communication, film and media classes).

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

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Beth Davison
    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

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Interdisciplinary Studies (BA) – Individually Designed

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 400 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.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Students attracted to this degree tend to be independent minded.  Many come from Appalachian’s interdisciplinary-focused Watauga Residential College. 
  • This create-your-own major has a strong focus on experiential learning, such as internships and service-learning, as well as undergraduate research. 
  • The degree is housed in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, which promotes creative, cross-disciplinary investigation of complex systems and problems.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Attorney
  • Clothing designer
  • Director of theater programs
  • Environmental consultant
  • Engineer
  • Court reporter
  • Communications officer
  • Writer
  • Government affairs coordinator
  • Teacher
  • Audio recording engineer
  • Yoga instructor
  • Youth advisor
  • Park ranger
  • Chaplain
  • Nutritionist
  • Web project manager
  • Psychotherapist

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences 

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Maria Pramaggiore
Department Chair
pramaggioremt@appstate.edu
828-262-6400

  • Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

    The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers degrees in three program areas: global studies; gender, women’s and sexuality studies; and interdisciplinary studies. The department is also home to Watauga Residential College, an interdisciplinary, alternative general education program. The department promotes creative and imaginative engagement through a cross-disciplinary investigation of complex systems and problems.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

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    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

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