There are two Interdisciplinary Studies degrees offered: a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BA IDS). In both programs, students will select one of the seven IDS themes as their Emphasis or focus of their degree. Students will take the majority of their courses in the Emphasis, which requires 24 units. The remaining courses for the major are taken in 3 different Concentrations, also selected from the IDS themes. Students will take 9 units in each Concentration.
General Education Requirements
- English: 6 units
- Math: 3 units
- Exploring Perspectives
- Artist
- Social Scientist
- Natural Scientist
- Humanist
- Civics
- Building Connections
- 2-3 Courses
- Diversity Emphasis: 0 - 3 units*
- 1st and 2nd semester language (or equivalent proficiency): 8 - 10 units**
*This requirement may be filled by a designated General Education Course, or by a designated course taken in the student’s major or minor.
**The number of units will vary depending on the language studied.
Total: 47 - 49 units
Transfer Community College Credits
The Interdisciplinary Studies Program is pleased to announce that as of Fall 2022, students transferring to any University of Arizona location to pursue a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree can apply up to 75 units from a community college to their degree plan. This signals a shift from the previous limit of 64 community college credits that could be applied to this bachelor’s degree. There will be no alteration regarding the regulations and practices in evaluating the transferability of credits to the University. This credit limit amendment allows more transferrable credits to be applied directly in pursuit of the bachelor’s degree. The College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies Program sought this increase to help fulfill the land-grant mission of the University of Arizona by providing an opportunity for a diverse segment of our student population, including many who transfer from Arizona community colleges, to complete their college degree in a timely manner. If you have questions about the application of transfer credits to your degree plan, please reach out to your academic advisor.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree (BIS) Requirements
A 2.00 GPA in the IDS major is required.
- Introductory Course: 3 units
- IDS 301: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
- Concentration Requirements: 27 units
Students must select at least three courses, for a total of nine units per Concentration, from three of the eight Themes.- Arts, Media and Entertainment (AMENT)
- Black and Integrative Studies (BLIS)
- Economy and Industry (ECI)
- Global and Intercultural Understanding (GIU)
- Science, Technology, Health and Society (STHS)
- Social Behavior and Human Understanding (SBHU)
- Sports and Society (SPS)
- Study of the US and the American Experience (SAE)
- Emphasis Requirement: 24 units
Students must select one Theme for the Emphasis *- Arts, Media and Entertainment (AMENT)
- Black Studies and Integrative Studies (BLIS)
- Economy and Industry (ECI)
- Global and Intercultural Understanding (GIU)
- Science, Technology, Health and Society (STHS)
- Social Behavior and Human Understanding (SBHU)
- Sports and Society (SPS)
- Senior Capstone IDS 498: 1 unit
*This Theme can be the same as one of the selected Concentration Themes.
Total Units in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major: 55 units
At least 36 units out of the 55 units in the major must be upper-division (300 - 499) courses.
Total Number of Units Required for a UA Degree: 120 units
At least 42 units out of the 120 units must be upper-division (300 - 499) courses.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree (BA IDS) Requirements
A 2.00 GPA in the IDS major is required. Requirements for a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies are identical to the BIS requirements above, except that students must have 4th semester proficiency of a second language by the time of graduation.
- Introductory Course: 3 units
- IDS 301: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
- Concentration Requirements: 27 units
Students must select at least three courses, for a total of nine units per Concentration, from three of the eight Themes.- Arts, Media and Entertainment (AMENT)
- Black and Integrative Studies (BLIS)
- Economy and Industry (ECI)
- Global and Intercultural Understanding (GIU)
- Science, Technology, Health and Society (STHS)
- Social Behavior and Human Understanding (SBHU)
- Sports and Society (SPS)
- Study of the US and the American Experience (SAE)
- Emphasis Requirement: 24 units
Students must select one Theme for the Emphasis *- Arts, Media and Entertainment (AMENT)
- Black and Integrative Studies (BLIS)
- Economy and Industry (ECI)
- Global and Intercultural Understanding (GIU)
- Science, Technology, Health and Society (STHS)
- Social Behavior and Human Understanding (SBHU)
- Sports and Society (SPS)
- Senior Capstone IDS 498 : 1 unit
*This Theme can be the same as one of the selected Concentration Themes.
Total Units in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major: 55 units
At least 36 units out of the 55 units in the major must be upper-division (300 - 499) courses.
Total Number of Units Required for a UA Degree: 120 units
At least 42 units out of the 120 units must be upper-division (300 - 499) courses.
Questions?
If you have questions about degrees, please reach out to your advisor. We are here to help.