Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies builds both career and life skills by teaching you to become a thinker and a learner as you dig into important issues facing society.

If you have a passion for learning in all forms, the Interdisciplinary Studies major at William Peace University allows you to build your own curriculum to match your specific goals and interests. A multi-disciplinary approach to the subject matter teaches you to ask questions, gather information and evaluate evidence. WPU’s unique internship program will allow you to put your knowledge to practice. Coursework will challenge you to delve into difficult issues, confront moral problems and better understand the world we live in. Two critical thinking seminars are required, plus courses in English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Philosophy/Religion and Social Sciences. You will also choose a minor or concentration, with concentrations being the more flexible of the two options. If WPU does not offer a concentration in your field of interest, you can create your own. In the past, students have studied pre-Pharmacy, pre-Nursing, language translation and more.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (BA CONCENTRATION) – SAMPLE 4-YEAR PLAN

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (BA MINOR) – SAMPLE 4-YEAR PLAN

Interdisciplinary Studies students have the flexibility to build their own curriculum and cater their degree to their career needs

Courses

The courses listed below are for the Academic Catalog and are subject to change. Please reference the Academic Catalog for further information and course descriptions. If you are a current student, please reference the catalog in which you come under.

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary Education Curriculum	49 credit hours
Interdisciplinary Studies Core Courses	34-37 credit hours
Concentration or Minor	15-21 credit hours
General Electives	14-22 credit hours
Total credit hours for B.A. in Liberal Studies	120 credit hours

Interdisciplinary Studies Core Courses	34-37 credit hours
2 courses each from any 3 Interdisciplinary Studies areas	18-20
1 course each from any 4 other Interdisciplinary Studies areas	12-13
Interdisciplinary Studies Junior Seminar: LST 380	1
Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar: LST 470	3

Concentration (15 credit hours) OR Minor (18-21 credit hours)	15-21 credit hours
Minor	18-21
A minor offers depth in a student’s program. If a student chooses this option, then the student must complete the minor requirements for a minor offered at William Peace University. The minor can be either in a Interdisciplinary Studies area or in another area. Minors require 18-21 credit hours of study.
Concentration	15
A concentration offers depth in a student’s program. If a student chooses this option, then the student must complete a course of study created by the Program Director for Interdisciplinary Studies that is based on the student’s interests. The course of study can be composed of courses from two or more disciplines that are focused on a common theme. For Interdisciplinary Studies, a student’s concentration cannot be in an area that has a minor at William Peace University. For example, a student cannot have a concentration in Anthropology because William Peace University already has a minor in that area, and if a student wants to study Anthropology within the Interdisciplinary Studies major, the student should pursue an Anthropology minor.

General Electives	14-22 credit hours
Must complete 14-22 elective credit hours	14-22

Faculty

Scott McElreath, Ph.D.

Program Director of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professor of Philosophy

Eliza Fisher Laskowski, Ph.D

Associate Professor of English
Careers
Interdisciplinary Studies is a multi-disciplinary field of study that prepares students for a truly broad range of career opportunities. It combines the methods and insights of the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences and stresses understanding of concepts, rational analysis, imagination and communication. Graduates go on to various careers in areas such as scientific research, hospitality management, technical recruitment, recreation administration and sales and marketing.

Recent internships include:
- North Carolina Museum of History
- Wake County Literacy Council
- Rex Hospital
- American Diabetes Association
- United States Forest Service
- North Carolina Office of State Archaeology
- North Carolina Governor’s Office
Recent employment by interdisciplinary studies majors:
- Scientist, GlaxoSmith Kline, Research Triangle Park, NC
- Student Liaison, New Horizon Computer Learning Center
- Vet Tech, CareFirst Animal Hospital at Grace Park
- Teacher, Bright Horizons
- Examiner, North Carolina Determination Services
- Pharmacy Tech, CVS Pharmacy
- Medical Laboratory Specialist, United States Army
- Human Resources Specialist, Rex Hospital
Recent graduate school acceptances:
- East Carolina University, Master of Arts in Teaching
- The American Film Institute Conservatory
- The University of North Carolina Greensboro, Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation
- Campbell University School of Law
- Regent University, School of Divinity