Create Your Own Major with Interdisciplinary Studies
About Interdisciplinary Studies
Create your own unique major by combining your academic interests, career goals, and personal passions. With expert guidance, design a degree program that's truly your own and perfectly suited for today's dynamic world.
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Ready to Design Your Unique Degree?
The best way to understand if IDS is right for you is through a personal conversation with our team. We'll explore your interests and help you create an academic plan that matches your goals.
What is Interdisciplinary Studies?
The Interdisciplinary Studies program allows students to create their own major based on their academic interests, career goals, and personal passions. With guidance from faculty and professional advisors, you combine two or three areas of study, exploring connections between them to create a unique degree program not available in traditional departments.
Students who design their own major develop knowledge and skills across disciplines while acquiring various perspectives on particular areas of study. You'll have opportunities for hands-on learning through internships, cooperative education, practicums, service learning, and study abroad programs.
Key Program Benefits
Personalized Education
Design a degree that reflects your unique interests and career goals
Expert Guidance
Work one-on-one with specialized interdisciplinary advisors
Flexible Pathways
Adapt your program as your interests and goals evolve
Real-World Skills
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities employers value
Career Ready
Perfect for careers requiring diverse skills and adaptability
Graduate School Prep
Strong foundation for advanced study in multiple disciplines
Who Should Consider IDS?
Multi-Interest Students
- Passionate about multiple academic areas
- Want to explore connections between different fields
- Don't fit neatly into traditional major categories
- Have natural curiosity and love learning
Career-Focused Students
- Career goals don't match existing majors
- Want skills that cross industry boundaries
- Preparing for emerging or evolving fields
- Need specific combination for graduate school
Transfer Students
- Want to maximize credits from previous institutions
- Credits don't fit neatly into existing programs
- Need flexible pathway to graduation
- Looking for efficient degree completion
Students Changing Majors
- Want to use credits from previous major
- Discovered new interests and passions
- Need fresh start with academic flexibility
- Want to combine old interests with new directions
How It Works
Creating your own major is a collaborative process between you and our expert advisors. Here's how we'll work together to design your unique degree program.
1
Introduction Meeting
Meet with our team to explore your interests, goals, and how IDS can work for you
2
Design Your Program
Work with advisors to select concentrations and create your personalized degree plan
3
Submit Application
Complete your application with the guidance of your advisor
4
Begin Your Studies
Start coursework with ongoing advisor support and experiential learning opportunities
Ongoing Support & Flexibility
You'll continue working with your faculty or program advisor throughout your academic journey. As you gain insight and experience, your program can adapt to better align with your evolving goals and aspirations. We also help you explore hands-on learning experiences like internships, cooperative education, and study abroad options.
Explore Your Options
Nearly 90 academic disciplines are available for you to explore within Interdisciplinary Studies. Find diverse offerings across multiple areas, or even design your own custom concentration with advisor guidance.
Academic Areas Available
Business & Enterprise
Health & Human Services
Arts & Humanities
Social Sciences
STEM & Technology
Global Perspectives
Child & Family Studies
Self-Design Options
Sample Degree Combinations
Business Art
Business Admin + Arts Administration + Art & Design
Health Informatics
Healthcare Studies + Data Science + Computer Science
Environmental Policy
Environmental Studies + Political Science + Natural Resources
Youth Development
Child/Family Studies + Leadership + Psychology
Digital Media
Graphic Design + Communication + Computer Science
Community Health
Public Health + Social Work + Justice Studies
Career Outcomes
Students who create their own major are well-prepared for modern career paths in an ever-changing job market, in addition to graduate study in a variety of disciplines.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Career opportunities are as expansive and diverse as the degree options available within the major. Graduates work in:
- Public service and education
- Healthcare and social services
- Arts administration and non-profits
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Emerging industries like cybersecurity and sustainability
Graduate School Success
Graduates bring their unique interdisciplinary perspective to advanced programs in:
- Business (MBA programs)
- Education (Master of Arts in Teaching)
- Social Work and Psychology
- Counseling and Mental Health
- Law and Medicine
- Public Health and Policy
Entrepreneurial Success
The drive and creativity needed to design your own major translates to:
- Successful business ventures
- Creative and innovative projects
- Leadership roles in organizations
- Adaptability in changing industries
- Skills for "wearing multiple hats"
Start Creating Your Own Major
Ready to design an academic experience that's uniquely yours? The first step is always a conversation. Let's explore how Interdisciplinary Studies can help you achieve your goals.
Questions About Creating Your Own Major?
Email: idsinfo@southernct.edu
Phone: (203) 392-8113
Office: Engleman Hall B 116A
We're here to help you explore the possibilities!