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Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program

New graduate admissions to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program (ISP) have been suspended as the University organizes to meet mounting financial challenges. While the program has served students well over the years, its numbers have decreased as the university implemented an ever larger array of new majors, minors and certificate programs. Students currently in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program will be allowed to complete their individualized degrees.

There are two degree options in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program (ISP), the Master of Arts degree and the Master of Science degree. The Graduate ISP requires integration of the methodologies, perspectives, and content of two (or more) disciplines.

It is a carefully planned, cohesive program of study in which the area of concentration:

• is interdisciplinary. This means the area of concentration must integrate approaches and knowledge from at least two fields/disciplines. The principle of integration can be historical, regional, thematic, or problem-focused.
• does not replicate any existing Master's degree program. The purpose of the Interdisciplinary Studies degree is to link students with clusters of courses and faculty where no structure or formal program exists.
• is feasible. Each student's proposed program must be discussed with the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies (in consultation with the Graduate Advisors from the departments included in the student's proposed areas of concentration) to ensure that the range and number of courses will be available.

Students have created interdisciplinary programs, such as: Music Management, Neuroscience, Sport Psychology, Ecological Studies, Sport Management, Sport Nutrition, Biomedical Ethics, Feminism in Philosophy and Literature, Marine Toxicology, Global Relations Management, Audio Engineering, Technology-Based Learning. (These are merely titles that students created to identify their program of study. The Graduate ISP does not have actual programs for you to use as a framework to follow. Students who are interested in the Graduate ISP need to do research and come up with their own proposed program of study.)

Acceptance of an applicant to the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program depends upon:

1. The rationale for a proposed course of study and its academic merit
2. The applicant's preparation and subsequent potential for successful completion of a master's degree program, and
3. The ability of the University to support a proposed program with faculty curricula and facilities.

Please note, the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program is not ideally suited for everyone. While it may be personally meaningful and valuable, it also may be unacceptable as preparation for higher degrees or as adequate preparation for various professions and careers. Interested individuals should carefully assess goals and explore the applicability of the Graduate ISP before proceeding.

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