Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

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

Interdisciplinary Programs- Liberal Arts, BS Program Page

Interdisciplinary Program Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirments0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements42
Electives36

* 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

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Science Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Science Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Subtotal12
Total Hours42
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.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

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.
Core Courses
Oral and Written Communication
Select at least six credits6
Interpersonal Skills and Civic Responsibility
Select at least six credits6
Analytical, Quantitative & Critical Thinking Skills
Select at least six credits6
Subtotal18
Emphasis Area
Select 24 credits related to or that support the outcomes of the Emphasis Area developed with the Academic Adviser24
Subtotal24
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 Hours42
*

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:

  1. International study programs (short-term, semester)
  2. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  3. Student-faculty creative projects
  4. Internships
  5. 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