Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies

The Interdisciplinary Studies program at Southwest Minnesota State University is designed to provide students with the opportunity to design and pursue a major that transcends existing majors. This program allows students to formulate an integrated program from two or more disciplines that meets their needs in a more viable way than traditional majors.

Individualized Interdisciplinary Major

The Individualized Interdisciplinary Major is a part of the Interdisciplinary Studies program. This major provides students with the flexibility to create a personalized course of study that combines multiple disciplines. The purpose of this major is to allow students to pursue a field of study that is not offered through traditional majors.

Courses

The following courses are part of the Interdisciplinary Studies program:

• IDST 110: The University Experience
  • Credits: 2
  • Description: A first-semester course designed to welcome and support students as they integrate into the learning community of Southwest Minnesota State University.
• IDST 111: The University Student-Athlete
  • Credits: 1
  • Description: A first-semester course designed to welcome and support student-athletes as they integrate into the learning community of Southwest Minnesota State University.
• IDST 112: International Cultural and Academic Transitions
  • Credits: 2
  • Description: A first-semester course designed to welcome and support international students as they transition to making their home in the United States and at Southwest Minnesota State University.
• IDST 115: Job Search Strategies: From Backpack to Briefcase
  • Credits: 1
  • Description: A course designed to enlighten students about how to succeed in their transition from college to work.
• IDST 120: Assertiveness
  • Credits: 1
  • Description: A course designed to help students learn how to communicate with others in a way that respects the rights of all involved.
• IDST 125: Mental Health Awareness
  • Credits: 1
  • Description: A course that provides information about a variety of mental health concerns, strategies for communicating with individuals of concern, and information about mental health-related resources.
• IDST 164: Essentials of Computer Science
  • Credits: 4
  • Description: An introduction to the essential concepts of computer science through mobile device app development.
• IDST 186: Special Topics
  • Credits: 0-4
  • Description: A course designed to meet any special needs of students and faculty.
• IDST 270: Tutor Training
  • Credits: 1
  • Description: A course that includes learning how to structure a successful tutoring experience, models of tutoring programs, ethics and philosophy of the SMSU tutor program, active learning strategies, using online technology in tutoring, and study techniques for learning disciplinary content.
• IDST 299: Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
  • Credits: 3
  • Description: A course that offers an in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative applications in higher education.

Academic Programs and Degrees

The university offers a wide range of academic programs and degrees, including:

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Art and Design
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Communication Studies
• Computer Science
• Culinology
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Environmental Science
• Exercise Science
• Finance
• Global Studies
• Hispanic Studies
• History
• Honors Program
• Hospitality
• Humanities
• Indigenous Nations and Dakota Studies
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Justice Administration
• Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Music
• Nursing
• Philosophy
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Special Education
• Theatre Arts
• Women's Studies

Policies and Procedures

The university has various policies and procedures in place, including:

• Academic policies
• Admission policies
• Financial aid policies
• Registration and records policies
• Student conduct policies
• University policies and procedures

Student Services

The university offers a range of student services, including:

• Accessibility services
• Administrative offices
• Alumni association
• Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator
• Athletes academic resources
• Barnes & Noble campus store
• Business services/cashiers office
• Campus religious center
• Career services
• Center for international education
• Child care center
• Clubs and organizations
• Deeann Griebel student success center
• Diversity and inclusion
• Financial aid
• GIS center
• Health insurance
• Health services
• Information technology services
• Intercollegiate athletics
• Library
• Math learning center
• Mental health counseling center
• Museum, planetarium, greenhouse, and wildlife area
• Mustang card
• Mustang market
  utrition network
• Non-traditional student organization
• Orientation
• Post office/package delivery
• Preferred name procedure
• Registration and records office
• Residence life
• Scheduling and event services office
• SMSU alert
• SMSU dining services
• SMSU foundation
• Southwest Minnesota history center
• Student activities
• Student center
• Student development offices
• Supplemental instruction
• Testing services
• The office of communications and marketing
• University parking facilities
• University transcripts and degree checks
• Veterans resource center
• Writing center