Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Greetings from the Director, Dr. Daryl Jones
Greetings! The Boise State University Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) Program
offers students an alternative to discipline-specific university degrees at
both the baccalaureate and masters degree levels. Students with educational
goals that work the interface between traditional disciplines can meet their
goals by completing a program that combines coursework from the appropriate
disciplines in a coherent manner. Before a student is accepted into the program,
a degree plan must be created with the help of faculty advisors and approved
by the IDS committee, which consists of faculty representatives from each
of the Colleges in the university.
If you are interested in learning more about the IDS program, the following
course of action is recommended:
- Read a full description of the program, either at this website or in the Boise State University catalog;
- Contact us to obtain further information, and to set up an interview appointment where we can discuss your academic background and goals, and the suitability of the IDS program for meeting those goals.
A word of caution – the IDS is not meant to be a general degree. Rather, the IDS degree plan must be sharply focused and designed to meet a specific, clearly defined educational objective. Whether applying to the baccalaureate or masters degree program, your application must contain a coherent statement that does the following:
- Discusses your academic goals
- Explains why a traditional degree plan does not meet those goals
- Describes how each course in the proposed plan supports those goals
- Illustrates your vision for the future implementation of the degree.
The IDS program is an excellent avenue for students with clear interdisciplinary goals and a strong academic background. IDS students are self-starters, very focused and highly motivated. Faculty advisors have commented that IDS students challenge them to expand their understanding of discipline-specific ideas and issues. Likewise, students find advisory committee members to be the most accessible, communicative and challenging faculty they encounter in their academic careers. In short, participation in the IDS program can be unique and fulfilling for both parties.
Degrees offered
| Bachelor of Arts
or Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies |
B.A. or B.S. Forms |
| Master of Arts or Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies |
|
