COURSE CURRICULUM

Advancement to graduate candidacy in the Interdisciplinary Studies master’s program follows general university requirements as outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures. A key milestone for candidacy is the successful completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), which ensures that students meet the university’s standard for advanced academic writing and research communication. Only after fulfilling these requirements can students formally progress toward completion of the degree.To graduate, students must satisfy all university graduation standards, including residency requirements, total unit completion, minimum GPA requirements, and the successful completion of a culminating experience. These expectations ensure that students demonstrate both academic depth and consistent performance across their individualized program of study.The MA or MS in Interdisciplinary Studies requires a customized 30-unit program composed of courses drawn from at least two different academic departments. At least half of these units must be at the graduate level, ensuring sufficient academic rigor. Any prerequisite courses required for preparation must be completed in addition to the 30-unit degree requirement and do not count toward the total.Students may complete the degree through one of three options: Plan A (thesis), Plan B (project, available under limited conditions), or Plan C (creative project). Each option provides a structured culminating experience in which students apply their interdisciplinary knowledge to a significant academic or practical outcome. All course selections must be approved by the Associate Dean (AD) of Graduate Studies to ensure coherence and academic integrity in the individualized program.Finally, the culminating experience must be approved by the student’s master’s program advisor, who also provides guidance throughout the research or project process. Upon successful completion, the department certifies the outcome using the official Verification of Culminating Experience form. Overall, the program ensures flexibility while maintaining strong academic standards and structured oversight for interdisciplinary graduate study.