Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts

About

Are you interested in the humanities, sciences and social sciences? The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts option is for you. In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses from each area. You’ll also develop the research and critical thinking skills needed for a variety of careers and graduate programs.

Curriculum & Requirements

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: Liberal Arts Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts program is designed for students wanting a traditional “liberal arts” degree. Students select 60 upper division credits, 20 credits in each of the breadth areas of humanities, science, and social science. Students may also earn lower division elective credits (subject to department assessment*) toward their degree through submission of an experiential learning portfolio (after completing a specialized elective Portfolio Development course, ITDS 300) and/or approved apprenticeships, licenses, and other professional learning experiences. 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 whose academic interests and goals are not met by existing majors, yet desire more structure toward course selection. Students craft a personalized course of study within the 20-20-20 liberal arts framework under the guidance of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, 12 credits of Interdisciplinary Core courses are required, emphasizing an integrated approach to understanding complex, real-world problems, ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive educational experience.

*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–choose courses from the following areas–must be upper-division (300/400 level)
Humanities20
Sciences20
Social Sciences20
ITDS 230EXPLORING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES4
ITDS 330CONNECTING ITDS THEORY, RESEARCH & PRACTICE4
ITDS 490INTERDISCIPLINARY SR CAPSTONE (or other departmental capstone with ITDS Director approval)4
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
Diversity - graduation requirement15Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Global Studies - graduation requirement15Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ITDS 2304Upper-Division Science Elective25Upper-Division Science Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Upper-Division Humanities Elective25Upper-Division Humanities Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Upper-Division Social Science Elective25Upper-Division Social Science Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective3  
 17 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Upper-Division Science Elective25ITDS 3304ITDS 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)4
Upper-Division Social Science Elective25Upper-Division Humanities Elective25Upper-Division Humanities Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Upper-Division Science Elective25Upper-Division Social Science Elective25
 15 14 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

Complete 20 credits each of upper-division (300- and 400- level) Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences electives in consultation with ITDS director. 

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.