Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Experiential Learning

Interdisciplinary Studies
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About

Do you have more than five years of professional working experience? Looking to complete a bachelor’s degree? The Bachelor of Arts degree with Experiential Learning is designed for you.

Eastern’s program is based on the philosophy that adult learners have acquired university-level learning through their career experience. Experiential Learning participants are awarded elective credits by articulating and illustrating their experiences in a portfolio that is evaluated by EWU faculty. Portfolios are prepared during enrollment in the ITDS 300 Portfolio Development course.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Interdisciplinary Studies: Experiential Learning Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Experiential Learning enables students to earn lower division elective credits (subject to faculty assessment*) toward their degree through submission of an experiential learning portfolio or approved apprenticeships, licenses, and other professional learning experiences. Students also complete 60 upper division credits from multiple, distinct academic departments which may include minors, plus a specialized Portfolio Development course, ITDS 300. Visit the Interdisciplinary Credit for Prior Learning webpage to learn more about credit for prior learning through the Interdisciplinary Studies department.

The curriculum is specifically designed for those who have extensive experience outside the formal classroom, and whose academic interests and goals are not met by existing majors. Students craft a personalized course of study that aligns with their specific academic aspirations and career objectives under the guidance of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. Ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive educational experience are 16 credits of required Interdisciplinary Core courses that emphasize an integrated approach to understanding complex, real-world problems. 

*Contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Department for credit limitations and the current required department assessment fee(s).

Pre-approval is required from departments or program directors and the Interdisciplinary Studies director.

How does this degree compare with other Interdisciplinary Studies degree options? Review the program comparison table for detailed information.

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Required Interdisciplinary Core
ITDS 230EXPLORING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES4
ITDS 300PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT4
ITDS 330CONNECTING ITDS THEORY, RESEARCH & PRACTICE4
ITDS 490INTERDISCIPLINARY SR CAPSTONE (or other departmental capstone with ITDS Director approval)4
Required Upper Division
Upper division (300/400 level) credits chosen in consultation with faculty advisor.56
Total Credits72

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement.  Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MATH 107 or 1215
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Social Sciences BACR 115Social Sciences BACR 215
Natural Sciences BACR 115Natural Sciences BACR 215Humanities & Arts BACR 215
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Elective - minor or general elective35ITDS 2304Elective - minor or general elective35
Elective - minor or general elective35Elective - minor or general elective35Elective - minor or general elective35
Elective - minor or general elective35Elective - minor or general elective35Elective - minor or general elective35
 15 14 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ITDS 3004Upper-Division Major Elective25Upper-Division Major Elective25
Diversity - graduation requirement15Upper-Division Major Elective25Upper-Division Major Elective25
Global Studies - graduation requirement15Elective - minor or general elective35Upper-Division Major Elective25
 14 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Upper-Division Major Elective25ITDS 3304ITDS 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)4
Upper-Division Major Elective25Upper-Division Major Elective25Upper-Division Major Elective25
Upper-Division Major Elective23Upper-Division Major Elective23Upper-Division Major Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective34Elective - minor or general elective34 
 17 16 14
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Upper-Division Major Elective–complete 56 upper-division (300- and 400-level) elective credits in consultation with ITDS director.

3

Students may earn up to 45 credits after ITDS 300 - Portfolio Development, with a portfolio submission, reducing the number of elective credits required.   

Applied Learning Opportunities

  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning: Students develop proposals for community-based projects and apply leadership principles to their own lives through weekly discussions.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Undergraduate Research: Collaborate with professors on research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present your findings.