COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at CSUSB is a highly individualized graduate program designed for students whose academic or professional goals are not fully addressed by existing programs. Admission to the program requires meeting general university graduate criteria, including a minimum 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 GPA in master’s coursework, completion of at least five upper-division courses with grades of “B” or higher in the major discipline, and approval of the program proposal by the Faculty Director of Graduate Studies. A three-member faculty committee, chaired by the student’s primary advisor, supervises the design and implementation of the program of study.Advancement to candidacy occurs once a student completes at least 15 units of approved coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The degree program must be interdisciplinary, drawing courses from at least two departments, and consist of a minimum of 30 units, all at the graduate level (5000–6000 level). No more than six units of independent study may be included, excluding units for a thesis or project. The curriculum must include a course in research methods relevant to the student’s major discipline and culminate in a comprehensive examination, project, or thesis, which may include an oral defense. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in program courses and a minimum grade of “C” in all courses counting toward the degree. Completion of the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) and any additional university-wide graduate requirements is also necessary.Because the program is individualized, specific courses are determined in consultation with the faculty committee, ensuring the curriculum aligns with the student’s objectives while maintaining academic rigor. The culminating experience allows students to demonstrate mastery in their chosen interdisciplinary fields. This flexible structure enables students to tailor the degree to unique career paths, emerging fields, or specialized areas of scholarly interest while ensuring that academic standards and graduate-level competencies are met.