Interdisciplinary Studies

Office of Interdisciplinary Programs
907-474-7716
fyinds@uaf.edu
www.uaf.edu/gradsch/classes/interdisciplinary-program/

AAS, BA, BS, BT, MA, MS, PhD Degrees

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Minimum Requirements for Degrees: 130 credits

The UAF interdisciplinary program provides flexibility to students who have well-defined goals that do not fit into one of the established majors offered by the university. Two tracks are available for students. First, programs with well-defined interdisciplinary goals that do not fit into established majors, and second, a general studies degree completion option. The program, with well-defined goals, is available to undergraduate and graduate students (see graduate information). Interdisciplinary studies, both graduate and undergraduate programs, are administered by the Graduate School office. Help with the application process, contact information for faculty advisors and assistance for interdisciplinary students is available at 907-474-7716 or see www.uaf.edu/gradsch/classes/interdisciplinary-program/.

Interdisciplinary Goals Option

Students may submit a proposal for an interdisciplinary program after completing 15 credits at UAF as long as they have at least 30 credits remaining in the proposed degree program. The proposed curriculum must differ significantly from established degree programs at UAF and will require evidence that the necessary facilities and faculty are available to ensure an approximation of a normal undergraduate degree. All general requirements for the BA, BS or BT degree must be met.

In developing an interdisciplinary proposal, the student should specify the degree (BA, BS or BT), include an explanation of how the proposed program differs substantially from established UAF programs, and include a discussion showing that current UAF resources are adequate to meet the requirements of the proposed program. (A minimum of two disciplines is required for the interdisciplinary degree.) The student then obtains an advisory committee of at least three faculty members from the appropriate disciplines and holds at least one formal meeting with the full committee to review the proposal. The committee will appoint a chair, review the proposed program, select a degree title in concert with the student and make its recommendation. Applicants then submit the proposal for the program they wish to pursue to the Dean of the Graduate School, specifying the degree, proposed curriculum work sheet and rationale. The degree is awarded through the school or college of the chair of the committee, subject to approval by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Students interested in pursuing an undergraduate interdisciplinary degree can contact the Office of the Graduate School and Interdisciplinary Programs for help in finding faculty advisors and developing their curriculum proposal.

General Studies Degree Completion Option (may not be used as a double major)

Students may not declare this major until they have accumulated at least 100 credits.

BA, BS or BT degree

  1. Contact the UAF Office of the Graduate School and Interdisciplinary Programs for materials and procedures. Prepare and submit a rationale/justification letter.
  2. Three faculty members serving in the Academic Advising Center or at Rural Campuses will serve as the degree completion interdisciplinary studies committee.
  3. Prepare rationale/justification letter explaining the need for the degree completion program.
  4. Conduct committee meeting to finalize degree proposal.
  5. Submit to the dean of the Graduate School for final approval.
  6. Complete all the requirements for the baccalaureate program including
    1. Completing the Core curriculum
    2. Completing the residency requirement
    3. Completing 39 upper-division credits
    4. Completing the PRAXIS I pre-professional skills test. This test should be completed when Core requirements are satisfied but may be taken the last semester in the program.
  7. Minimum credits required--130 credits

Minor

  1. Contact the Academic Advising Center at 907-474-6396 or 888-823-8780 for materials and procedures.
  2. Prepare and submit a draft declaration of interdisciplinary minor form and submit it electronically to the Academic Advising Center at www.uaf.edu/advising/ or in person at 509 Gruening Building. Include a title for the minor, briefly describe the body of knowledge and skills intended to fulfill the minor, including courses specifying the knowledge and skills relevant to the minor title. For example: Food Science minor, including relevant course work from transfer credits in Food Science from a regionally accredited university, as well as credits from chemistry, fisheries or natural resources management, and biological sciences. An interdisciplinary minor cannot be titled the same as an existing minor and must demonstrate a cohesive body of knowledge skills. The approved title will appear on the student's transcript.
  3. Three faculty members approved by the dean of General Studies will serve as the interdisciplinary minor committee. This committee will ensure that an appropriate and cohesive body of knowledge and skills is addressed in the planned minor and that the interdisciplinary minor does not overlap with an existing minor, and will discuss alternatives with the student as needed.
  4. Minimum credits required--18 credits