Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies Program

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program at the University of Iowa is designed for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in a field that does not fit within a traditional departmental structure. The program allows students to create a customized plan of study that combines coursework and research from multiple disciplines.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Interdisciplinary Studies Program, students must first be admitted to an existing graduate program at the University of Iowa. Students will not be directly admitted to the Graduate College as a student in the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Program Structure

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is structured around the following steps:

1. Fulfill admissions prerequisite: The student must already be admitted to an existing graduate program prior to seeking approval of an interdisciplinary studies program.
2. Form preliminary advisory committee: The student will seek the support of a preliminary advisory committee to offer counsel and advice in forming an interdisciplinary graduate program.
3. Develop initial plan of study: The student and the advisory committee will develop an initial plan of study, including a one or two page description of the proposed field of study.
4. Create study plan for comprehensive exams: Students in the doctoral program and the advisory committee will develop a plan of study for the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations.
5. Develop research and thesis/dissertation proposal: The student will develop a proposal for his/her research and the thesis or dissertation, which will be approved in writing by the advisory committee.
6. Obtain sponsorship for proposed program: The student must obtain "sponsorship" of the proposed program, either by an appropriate department or the Graduate College.
7. Gain approval from Graduate Dean: After approval by the sponsoring department/program or the ad hoc committee of the Graduate Council, the proposal is formally presented to the Graduate Dean, who may approve the proposal as presented, require that certain changes be made as a condition of approval, or reject the proposal.
8. Use appropriate interdisciplinary degree code: After official approval in writing by the Graduate Dean, the student becomes an interdisciplinary studies student, and the department major code number is changed to either 125 (the Ph.D. interdisciplinary code) or to 155 (the Master's interdisciplinary code).

Program Details

• The advisory committee should contain at least three graduate faculty members from the University of Iowa.
• In the case of a doctorate program, the committee will consist of at least four members of the graduate faculty.
• The chairperson of the advisory committee should be identified and must agree to serve in this capacity.
• The plan of study should include a list of courses to be taken by the student, together with an evaluation as to which courses already completed by the student are appropriate for the program.
• The research proposal should be approximately 2-3 single-spaced typewritten pages and will be approved in writing by the advisory committee before submission to the Graduate College.