May 08, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

University Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A.)


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Amy Sarch, Associate Provost
Cooley Hall 120, (540) 542-6534, asarch@su.edu

The University Interdisciplinary Studies program provides a framework within which interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary study can be undertaken at Shenandoah University. The Bachelor of Arts degree allows students with unique or non-traditional education goals to undertake an individually designed major.

The Bachelor of Arts in University Interdisciplinary Studies requires a proposed degree plan that describes the student’s academic and professional goals and lists the course of study to be taken to fulfill those goals. This proposal must be reviewed and approved by a faculty committee representing at least two different undergraduate schools and a representative appointed by the associate provost for academic affairs.

Course Requirements


The course of study will incorporate the following:

  1. At least 36 credit hours, apportioned between at least two disciplines, that support the student’s academic and professional goals. Study in each discipline must include work in both the theory and the methodology of that field. At least 24 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. No more than 12 credits of university general education hours may be counted toward this requirement.
  2. Core requirements of each of the academic units included. This shall include:
    1. Foreign language requirement in the College of Arts & Sciences (if the program the student chooses falls under the College of Arts & Sciences, excluding the Division of Applied Technology).
    2. This program does not include the School of Nursing.
  3. Students participating in the UIS Program must declare this major after they have earned at least 15 credits and before they have earned 60 credits. A student wishing to declare a UIS major after 60 credits can appeal this requirement to the associate provost of academic affairs. 
  4. The student’s proposal will be kept on file in the ofice of the associate provost for academic affairs.  The faculty committee is responsible for approving any changes in the student’s proposal.
  5. A 3-credit senior research study, creative project or essay that reflects the integration of disciplines and experiences in the student’s self-designed degree plan.
  6. Students must submit a senior project proposal no later than the semester prior to expected graduation.  The project proposal must be approved by the student’s faculty committee.
  7. The student’s senior project must be completed during the student’s final semester.  The student’s faculty committee is responsible for evaluating the student’s senior project.

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