COURSE CURRICULUM

The New College Interdisciplinary Studies program at The University of Alabama offers a highly flexible degree structure where students earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) depending on their chosen depth study, while completing a total of at least 120 semester hours including university and college requirements. The core of the program is the individualized depth study, which requires 33–39 credit hours and allows students to design their own academic focus with guidance from a faculty advisor, including at least 15 hours of upper-level (300–400) coursework and 18–24 elective hours drawn from across disciplines. In addition to the depth study, students must complete key New College requirements such as NEW 200 Idea Lab and NEW 495 Capstone Seminar and Senior Project, which emphasize innovation, integration of knowledge, and final project development. A major component of the curriculum is the integrative seminar requirement, where students complete five seminars (including NEW 200) across themes like environment and sustainability, creativity and culture, and social problems and social change, ensuring a broad liberal arts foundation; this includes at least one 200-level seminar, two upper-level seminars, and additional seminar electives totaling 18–21 credit hours, all completed within New College with a minimum grade of C-. Students pursuing a BS degree must also complete Calculus I or Honors Calculus I as an ancillary requirement. The program does not require a minor, but students must complete at least 42 hours within New College and undergo a third-year review to ensure academic progress. Another distinctive feature is the strong emphasis on experiential learning, where students can engage in independent study or out-of-class learning through formal contracts that outline research topics, evaluation methods, and expected outcomes, encouraging practical application of knowledge. Overall, the program is designed for self-motivated students who want an interdisciplinary, customizable education combined with academic rigor and real-world learning experiences.