Interdisciplinary Programs, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Liberal Arts
The BS in Interdisciplinary Programs is an outcome based degree, drawing from the richness of a liberal arts based education, which provides opportunities for students to develop an interdisciplinary educational program of study in consultation with their adviser. Students select courses that demonstrate competency in the following three areas:
- Oral and Written Communications
- Interpersonal Skills and Civic Responsibility
- Quantitative, Analytical, and Critical Thinking Skills
Students will also demonstrate, through courses or non-credit experiences, that they have had experiential learning experiences related to their course of study. The specific courses used to meet these degree requirements vary with each student. The courses selected to meet the above listed outcomes are based upon the academic emphasis identified by the student for their program of study and are approved by their academic adviser.
What can students study with this degree? The degree provides three types of academic opportunities. The first, degree completion, provides opportunities for students to graduate with a program of study that builds upon their prior educational experiences when they find they are unable to complete their current degree program. The second allows students, with their adviser, to develop a self-designed program of study in the following areas:
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Asian Studies
- Non-Profit Leadership
- Fraud
- Pre-Law and other Pre-Professional Programs
The department also offers a number of minors in the following areas: Sociology, Anthropology, Non-Profit Leadership, and Leadership.
All students must have a 2.00 GPA and have earned 30 credits before they can be accepted into the degree program. Minors do not carry these requirements. New students to the university can select this degree, but will start their program of study in the Exploratory Program while having faculty from the Department of Interdisciplinary Programs serve as their advisers. Once the degree entry requirements are met the students formally move into the degree program.
The BS in Interdisciplinary Programs affords students opportunities to be flexible and creative in designing their program of study. Students who want to integrate more than one area of study in ways not found in Slippery Rock’s traditional majors may consider this degree. Students with a specific career or professional interest, an interest in graduate school or a graduate level professional program that has certain competencies, but does not require a specific undergraduate major, may find this degree appropriate for them. This degree is also valuable as a second major for students who want more than a minor to their program of study.
RELATED LINKS
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirments | 0-3 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 42 | |
| Electives | 36 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major Requirements
- 21 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 21 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above (Adviser approved courses)
- Courses used in this major may not be used to satisfy ROCK Studies 2, a minor, or another major’s requirements.
- AP, Credit by Exam, CLEP, and institutional credit by exam may count towards the degree to a maximum of 45 credits. Pass/Fail and non-credit courses will not be counted in the major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Select at least six credits | 6 | |
| Interpersonal Skills and Civic Responsibility | ||
| Select at least six credits | 6 | |
| Analytical, Quantitative & Critical Thinking Skills | ||
| Select at least six credits | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Emphasis Area | ||
| Select 24 credits related to or that support the outcomes of the Emphasis Area developed with the Academic Adviser | 24 | |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Experiential Learning Activities | ||
| Must complete 40 hours of experiential learning activities which are approved by the Academic Adviser. Please consult with your Adviser for details of the options available. | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Co-curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- International study programs (short-term, semester)
- High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
- Student-faculty creative projects
- Internships
- Experiential Learning (Practice experience outside the classroom)
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS - BS (5198)
Concentration in Liberal Arts (LART)
This program is effective as of Fall 2019.
Revised 10.15.2020
UCC RISP 2019