MA IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies requires 30 to 54 graduate credit hours. Students must fulfill the requirements of two distinct graduate certificate programs, a proseminar and a directed readings capstone experience to earn the MAIS degree.
- Proseminar (3 Credits): A foundational interdisciplinary course that equips students with essential skills in critical thinking, research methods, and integrating knowledge across disciplines.Two proseminars
- Two Graduate Certificates (26-48 Credits): Students select two existing graduate certificates, enabling them to explore diverse fields of study while deepening expertise in targeted areas.
- Capstone Experience (3 Credits): A Directed Study Capstone will serve as the culmination of the program, where students integrate their learning into a comprehensive, interdisciplinary project.
By stacking two certificates with an integrative capstone experience, the program offers a unique opportunity for professional development, interdisciplinary exploration, and academic growth.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The proseminar course will introduce students to interdisciplinary approaches and methods of research. Students will learn to critically analyze texts and ideas across disciplines, build research questions, and explore how different fields of knowledge intersect. The program will begin with just one section in the fall and require students to begin the program with a fall cohort.
Students will choose two graduate certificates from distinct disciplines offered within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The certificates will equip students with specialized knowledge in distinct fields, providing both academic depth and practical expertise.
In the capstone, students will engage in an independent study with a faculty advisor, focused on synthesizing the knowledge gained through their two chosen certificates. This final project may take the form of a thesis, portfolio, or other capstone experience, that demonstrates the student’s ability to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and apply it to real-world issues. Students will have the opportunity to list the name of their capstone project on their transcript to identify the nature of their interdisciplinary experience. The Directed Study course is conducted in the final semester before graduating and is of the student's own design. The course creates a capstone space that allows students to bring together graduate work across the selected disciplines of study and pursue them in greater depth.
Students have the option to submit a thesis (journal article length), Qualifying Portfolio (QP) or other appropriate culminating project for their capstone experience:
Thesis. A master’s level interdisciplinary thesis requires students to integrate perspectives, theories, and methodologies from multiple disciplines to address complex, multifaceted research questions. The thesis option demands rigorous research, critical analysis, and innovative thinking to bridge disciplinary boundaries and offer new insights.
Qualifying Portfolio (QP). The QP consists of four papers originally submitted to satisfy the requirements for seminars taken in their normal course of study during the student’s coursework in the MA program, plus a short narrative describing how and why the student chose the selected essays. The papers should be representative of the student’s best work; in addition, the papers should indicate the scope and trajectory of the student’s course of studies.
Other Possibilities. Instead of a thesis or qualifying portfolio, students may develop projects such as community-based initiatives, action research projects, performances, interactive websites, digital archives, data visualizations, or multimedia projects that bring fresh perspectives to address complex social, environmental, or cultural issues. These capstone options emphasize practical application, collaboration, and creativity, encouraging students to engage with communities, organizations, or industries relevant to their goals. Such projects should culminate in a reflective analysis or presentation that demonstrates the student’s ability to synthesize interdisciplinary approaches and make meaningful contributions beyond the academic setting.
EXAMPLES OF CERTIFICATE COMBINATIONS