Individualized Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS)

BA, BBA, or BS

IDS Description: This degree permits students to combine features of more than one discipline in an individualized program of study that may take the place of or complement a traditional major.

IDS Proposal Process:  Students and faculty mentors who are interested in the individualized degree can contact the Chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Oversight Committee (IDSOC) if there are questions or points of discussion. Currently the Chair is Dr. Mary Beth Armstrong, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (armstrom@montevallo.edu).  The committee will be comprised of the following: Chair, one faculty member from each of the 4 colleges, the Registrar, and the Director of Faculty Development and Collaboration. Currently the membership is as follows: Mary Beth Armstrong, Kathy King, Kel Laeger, Tom Sanders, Scott Turner, and Jon-Kyle Davis.

The student works with a faculty mentor or mentors (depending on the proposal it could be one or several faculty mentors working together with the student) to develop a program that follows the application guidelines.  Students and their mentor(s) should begin the application process as soon as appropriate for specific plans.  Many students who apply to the IDSOC Committee do so during their sophomore or junior year, although a student may be ready to apply as early as the second semester of  his/her freshman year. Typically a student cannot apply any later than 75 earned credit hours: however exceptions could be approved by the IDSOC.

 The initial application will be submitted to IDSOC for approval.  A completed application packet includes the following:

1. A title and compelling rationale for the individual program, and a description of what the student intends to gain from this major.
2. A specific list of required courses totaling at least 36 hours drawn from at least two different disciplines and/or colleges. Each semester the faculty mentor(s) will review progress towards the major with the student, and determine if any changes need to be proposed and approved. At least 21 of the 36 hours must be at the 300 level or above. There will be a minimum of one 400 level course, IDS 400, the capstone course. At least two-thirds of the major must be taken while a student is at UM. It is possible for BACHE courses to be included.
3. A proposed plan of study for the major courses by semester that also serves as an approximate timetable for completion.
4. A list of several Student Learning Outcomes.
5. The application must be signed by the faculty mentor(s) and the Chair of IDSOC. The mentor(s) will be responsible for the paper or project which fulfills the capstone experience.

Completion of the Application:    A specific description of the capstone experience (IDS 400) will be required for approval prior to the senior year. Some examples of a capstone experience are a senior thesis, an undergraduate research project, or an internship.

Declaring the IDS Major: Once the application is approved the student can declare a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. This declaration is contingent on Registrar's certification that the proposal meets all graduation requirements. No changes may be made in the approved program without written authorization from IDSOC. The title of the individualized degree will be identified on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.