Interdisciplinary Studies

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree provides the opportunity to major in a unique program that can be tailored to meet specific career and academic goals. A student opting for this program works with an Advisory Committee to develop a customizable and coherent degree plan that includes two broadly-defined areas of study leading to an integrated educational objective.

While the Interdisciplinary (ID) Studies degree is a flexible alternative to a traditional BS/BA major, it is not a random collection of credits or an "easy" pathway to degree completion. A customizable and individualized plan may increase a student's access to a degree, but it does not mean the coursework will be easier.

Students are encouraged to submit their degree plan for approval at least three semesters prior to completion to ensure that it meets standards of coherence, depth and breadth of curriculum, and rigor.

Interdisciplinary Studies Quick Guide

Important Information for Students

  1. Develop an inventory of your goals upon completing a bachelor’s degree. Are you hoping to go to graduate school? Find employment in a particular business, industry, or service sector? Find employment that helps you develop particular skills, such as leadership, organizational strengths, creativity, or problem solving?
  2. Examine the available current majors to see if an existing program will help you achieve your goals. If not, explore relevant coursework and begin identifying potential areas of concentration for an Interdisciplinary Studies degree.
  3. Review the General Education Core and other ID Studies degree requirements in the LCSC catalog.
  4. Contact Early College Programs at (208) 792-2257 or email Ryan Gill, director, at [email protected] to begin the coordination process.

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 21 semester credits in each area of concentration and 51 credits in both areas combined (not including the capstone course).
    • At least 15 of the 21 credits in each area must be in upper division coursework (300-400 level).
  2. Students will complete the 3-credit capstone course, ID-450, as part of their program.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits.

The Areas of Concentration are distinctive categories developed by each student in conjunction with their Advisory Committee. While courses in a disciplinary area need not all come from a single prefix (such as ENGL or PSYC) or division, such courses should be closely related and the student will need to justify the grouping of courses in a single area.

Students graduate with a BA or BS in "Interdisciplinary Studies". The areas of concentration will not display on the transcript.

Areas of concentration may not be used for completion of a minor, nor do they lead to certification in a discipline.