Program Overview

---

Interdisciplinary Studies (BS)

Program at a Glance

The Interdisciplinary Studies major at the University of Central Florida is a unique program that allows students to create a customized course of study tailored to their interests and career goals. By bridging the gaps between disciplines, students develop in-demand skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership. This program is designed for academic flexibility and recognizes that individual students have diverse needs and goals.

Program Tracks/Options

• General Studies

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

• Freshmen:
  • Fall: May 1
  • Spring: November 1
  • Summer: March 1
• Transfers:
  • Fall: June 1
  • Spring: November 1
  • Summer: March 1
• International:
  • Fall: March 1
  • Spring: September 1
  • Summer: January 1

Career Opportunities

The University of Central Florida prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities. With the Interdisciplinary Studies major, graduates can pursue careers in various fields, including:

• Admissions counselor
• Archivist
• Copywriter
• Entrepreneur
• Financial advisor
• Human resources manager
• Interior Designer
• Marketing coordinator
• Project Manager
• Recruiter

Program Details

The Interdisciplinary Studies program is administered through the Interdisciplinary Studies Department and is designed for academic flexibility. It recognizes that there are many combinations of courses that meet the needs of individual students. The program may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online.

Degree Requirements

• Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
• Students must have declared an Interdisciplinary Studies major at least two semesters before graduation.
• Research, Internship, and Independent study credit cannot be used in this major without prior approval from the Academic Success Coach.
• Co-op credit cannot be used in this major.
• Students must earn at least a "C" (2.0) in each core and restricted elective course.
• Students must consult with an Academic Success Coach to enter the program.
• Courses designated in the General Education Program and Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours.
• No courses can count in more than one subject area or in a subject area and a minor.
• Students wishing to earn an Interdisciplinary Studies degree as a double degree, double major, or second major, must complete all restricted elective credits exclusive of the credits done for the other degree(s) or major(s), including any minors associated with that degree or degrees.

Core Requirements

3 Total Credits

• Complete all of the following:
  • IDS3933 - Cornerstone Experience (3)

Restricted Electives

30 Total Credits

• Earn at least 30 credits from the following types of courses:
  • Students must complete two different subject area concentrations from among those specified below.
  • Students must take a minimum of 15 hours of approved courses in each selected subject area (excluding GEP courses).
  • Courses are considered approved only when they have been reviewed by the Academic Success Coach and not simply when they appear on a student audit.
  • Students are required to take a minimum of 15 UCF hours, as well as 15 upper division hours, in the two areas combined.
  • The program will maintain a list of approved courses; substitutions require recommendation by an Academic Success Coach and approval by the program director.
  • Up to three hours of undergraduate research, with a minimum grade of C (2.0), may be applied to restricted electives with prior program approval.
  • Up to three hours of internship, whether graded or S/U, may be applied to restricted electives with prior program approval.
  • Available subject areas include:
    • Arts
    • Behavioral and Social Sciences
    • Commerce
    • Communication
    • Computational Sciences
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Health
    • Humanities
    • Letters and Modern Languages
    • Physical Sciences
    • Life/Biomedical Sciences
    • Public Affairs

Electives

0 Total Credits

• Select primarily from upper-level courses, with an Interdisciplinary Studies adviser's approval to reach 120 credit hours.

Capstone

3 Total Credits

• Complete all of the following:
  • IDS4934 - Capstone Experience (3)

Grand Total Credits

36

Foreign Language Requirements

• BA: Met by graduation requirement.
• BS: Two years high school, or one year college language (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
• Note: Students entering without having met the admission requirements must do so in order to graduate.

Graduation Requirements

• BA: Proficiency equivalent to one year of college instruction in either a foreign language or proficiency equivalent to American Sign Language III. Standardized examinations may be used to meet the requirement.
• BS: Proficiency equivalent to one semester of college instruction in a foreign language or one course with a multicultural dimension. Standardized examinations for foreign languages may be used to meet the requirement.

Additional Requirements

• None

Required Minors

• Students must complete a minor from those offered at UCF. The minor cannot overlap with the two areas of study. Minimum hours required for a minor is eighteen. The minor degree audit must be approved by, and completion of the minor certified by, the department offering the minor.

Departmental Exit Requirements

• A grade of "C" or above (2.0) is required for each course in the core and restricted electives.
• Students must complete the IDS Exit requirements, see restricted electives for additional details.

University Minimum Exit Requirements

• A 2.0 UCF GPA
• 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed
• 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
• A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
• Complete the General Education Program, the State Writing and Math Requirement, and nine hours of Summer credit.

Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required

120

Additional Information

Honors In Major

• None

Related Programs

• None

Certificates

• None

Related Minors

• Most UCF minors

Advising Notes

• None

Transfer Notes

• Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
• Transfer courses must be evaluated for equivalency credit and/or for use in the degree program by the Academic Success Coach. The student must provide all supporting information.

Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses

• None