Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies, BA

The Interdisciplinary Studies, BA program at the University of Alabama is designed to provide students with a flexible and individualized course of study. This program is offered through New College, which emphasizes student choice and responsibility, promoting creativity, flexibility, and adaptability necessary for effective participation in the emergent communities of the future.

Admission into the Program

Admission to the New College on-campus program requires a separate application process from admission to the University of Alabama. The admission decision is based on two factors: the degree of motivation and serious intellectual independence exhibited by the applicant, and the potential for the University to meet the applicant's academic goals.

New College Requirements

Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies, BA program must complete the bachelor of arts degree, which includes:

• General education requirements
• New College requirements
• Other sufficient credits to total 120 applicable semester hours

The New College requirements include:

• Successful completion of the following courses and activities:
  • Individualized depth study
  • Electives (18-24 hours)
  • Upper-level courses (15 hours)
  • Ancillary courses
• A minimum of 42 semester hours must be completed while enrolled in New College
• Students are required to undergo a third-year program review

New College LifeTrack Requirements

New College LifeTrack offers non-traditional students the flexibility to design their college curriculum through an interdisciplinary approach to distance learning. The program includes opportunities for travel and on-campus course experiences. Students must have a high school diploma or a minimum GED score, and a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA on all previous college coursework.

Degree Requirements

All students must complete at least 120 credit hours, 36 of which must be at the upper level, to earn a bachelor's degree. The degree requirements include:

• First Year Compass Courses
• Written Composition
• World Language Proficiency
• Humanities, Literature, Fine Arts, and World Language
• Social and Behavioral Sciences and History
• Natural Science
• Mathematical Science
• Writing
• US and Global Citizenship
• Required New College Courses
• Senior Project
• Depth Study
• Electives

Residency

A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed under the guidance of New College LifeTrack. Residence hours consist of The University of Alabama on-campus and online courses, LifeTrack course contracts, and prior learning credit awarded through LifeTrack.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Studies, BA program have gone on to pursue careers in various fields, including business and industry, education, arts management, sports marketing and recruiting, and non-profit organizations. The program provides students with a flexible and individualized course of study, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities.

Types of Jobs Accepted

Graduates of the program have been accepted into various jobs, including:

• Business and industry
• Education
• Arts management
• Sports marketing and recruiting
• Peace Corps
• Teach for America
• Americorps
• NGOs
• Foreign service
• Non-profit and for-profit sectors

Jobs of Experienced Alumni

Experienced alumni of the program have gone on to work in various fields, including:

• Audio engineers
• Physicians
• Artists
• Attorneys
• Musicians
• Dentists
• Physical therapists
• Professors
• Farmers
• Real estate developers
• Land managers
• Sports scouts
• Directors of non-profit organizations
• Missionaries
• Teachers
• Business owners
• Peace Corps
• Teach for America
• Americorps
• NGOs
• Foreign service
• Non-profit and for-profit sectors

The Interdisciplinary Studies, BA program at the University of Alabama provides students with a flexible and individualized course of study, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in various fields. The program's emphasis on student choice and responsibility promotes creativity, flexibility, and adaptability, necessary for effective participation in the emergent communities of the future.