Zachary M. Hilpert, Ph.D.
Director of interdisciplinary studies
zhilpert@vcu.edu
Mariah Crilley, Ph.D.
Associate professor and associate director of interdisciplinary studies
mtcrilley@vcu.edu
Kimberly Matthews, Ph.D.
Associate professor, Transform LLP
matthewska@vcu.edu
Michael Rackett, Ph.D.
Associate professor, Transform LLP
rackettmr@vcu.edu
Vineeta Singh, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
singhv8@vcu.edu
Christina Davis
Academic adviser
(804) 827-0838
daviscl7@vcu.edu
Audrina Farrar
Academic adviser
(804) 827-0838
farraral@vcu.edu
Richard Quarshie
Senior academic adviser
(804) 827-0838
quarshier2@vcu.edu
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies is an individualized and interdisciplinary degree for students who wish to create an individualized curriculum not available in traditional curricular pathways within existing VCU degree programs. Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program are able to design an individualized degree compatible with academic, career or personal goals. Selected pathways are available online.
The IDS declaration process
To declare the interdisciplinary studies major, students should:
- Have learning goals that are suited to an interdisciplinary program of study
- Meet with an IDS adviser
- Complete the IDS application documents, including the proposed curricular plan and rationale for interdisciplinary study, in consultation with their IDS adviser, and submit the application for review
Students interested in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies design their own curricula in consultation with an IDS adviser. The IDS advisers and faculty work closely with students to develop an appropriate curricular program and provide guidance on the application process. Each student’s plan must define a specific focus area that combines two or more areas of study and must define their educational goals by designing their interdisciplinary curricula from a variety of course offerings.
The proposed interdisciplinary curriculum plan will be evaluated by an IDS adviser and program administrators before final approval by the director. Each application will be evaluated based on compliance with university degree requirements as well as IDS curriculum and individualized program requirements. After admission to the IDS Program, students will follow an approved individualized curriculum plan. The finalized curriculum plan is the official record of the student’s degree requirements. This document records all transfer credits applicable to the B.I.S. degree and lists the courses required to complete the degree.
Students who complete the requirements for this degree will receive a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Individualized program requirements
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements 1 | ||
| IDST 301 | Interdisciplinary Theory and Practice | 3 |
| IDST 499 | BIS Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Approved relevant upper-level courses | 18 | |
| Approved relevant courses, any level | 15 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 51 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The individually designed interdisciplinary focus area requires a minimum of 39 semester credits, 24 of which must be upper-level credit. The focus area has to combine at least two areas of study; one way to accomplish this is to complete the requirements for two minors as designated in the Undergraduate Bulletin. All interdisciplinary studies focus areas must include the interdisciplinary theory course (IDST 301) and the senior capstone course (IDST 499). IDST 301 is the pre- or corequisite for IDST 499. Students are expected to take IDST 499 during their final semester of study, except under special circumstances.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Other requirements
The curriculum plan must also meet the following university policies and degree requirements:
- At least 12 credits must be taken in the focus area after acceptance into the program.
- Interdisciplinary studies majors are required to participate in assessment activities (e.g., focus groups and exit surveys) as determined by the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Assessment information is used to assist faculty in evaluating program effectiveness.
- Students have a variety of credit options, including CLEP examinations, credit for formal military training and credits for certain professional certifications when they do not duplicate college course work.
Students who complete the requirements for this degree will receive a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.