Bachelor of Science in
Interdisciplinary Studies

Program Plan of Study and Requirements

A unique interdisciplinary degree program offers students an opportunity to design a program of study that serves their needs and aspirations. This flexible degree, designed in response to appeals from corporate leaders, nurtures worldly thinkers who understand the intersections between technologies and humans.

Interdisciplinary Studies requires coursework in general education, a core curriculum, three minors, and open electives. General education provides a broad foundation of study, upon which the core expands. Core courses aim to enhance communication and analytical abilities and to help students gain an understanding of history, art, and literature, all of which shape an awareness of what it means to be human. Courses in the core also prepare students to discover meaningful connections among their three minors. The element of choice in Interdisciplinary Studies, primarily lodged in the selection of minor courses of study, allows them to explore the University’s offerings in search of a configuration that will help them attain future goals. In the capstone experience, each student engages in a cooperative education or internship experience or writes a senior thesis.

The flexibility of the Interdisciplinary Studies program allows students to design their own degree programs, by building on their individual strengths and interests. Depending on their choices, graduates can be prepared for careers in aviation and aerospace and related fields, business, the military, graduate studies, or law school. The Interdisciplinary Studies program seeks to graduate students with an entrepreneurial spirit who will cross boundaries, make creative connections, be flexible in a changing career environment, and become leaders in their chosen fields.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Included in the 120 credit hours must be 40 credit hours of upper-division courses (300-400 level). 

General Education Requirements

For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs. 

Core Requirements/Categories

Minors

Students must select three minor fields of study.  Required credits in each minor vary, depending on the minors chosen. See Minor Courses of Study in this catalog.

Program Plan of Study and Requirements

The Interdisciplinary Studies program consists of a set of core requirements and three minors, allowing students to essentially design their own degree programs. The element of choice in the program gives students experience in planning their own futures. The program seeks to produce students with an entrepreneurial spirit who will cross boundaries, make creative connections, and become leaders in aviation, aerospace, and related industries. The core requirements in this program help our students to become worldly thinkers who understand that information and skills gleaned from one area of life can be applied to other areas, thus preparing students to meaningfully and usefully connect their three minors. The program respond directly to calls by American corporate leaders for graduates who understand both technology and human beings. To that end, students choose from courses in the humanities, geography, international studies, philosophy and ethics, foreign languages, and psychology. The degree culminates in a senior capstone requirement, which most often takes the form of a co-op experience.

Students meet regularly with the interdisciplinary studies program chair or faculty advisors to develop and revise their individual plan for degree completion. This plan involves evaluating their career objectives and selecting three appropriate minors.

Students should be aware that several courses in each academic year may have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Check the course descriptions before registering for classes to ensure appropriate sequencing.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses (300-400 level).

Core Requirements

Cross Discipline Core

Enhanced General Education

International Focus

Capstone Experience

Minors and Open Electives

Students must select three minor fields of study which range in credits from 15 to 21. Open Electives will complete any remaining credits after the selection of minors.

Program Plan of Study and Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (BSIS) degree program offers students a unique opportunity to transfer previously earned University and Joint Services Transcripted credit by custom designing a plan of study that serves your needs and aspirations. This flexible degree program, unique to Embry-Riddle, is designed for first-time-in college students and students with previous academic and/or military credit who desire to study more than one academic discipline.  BSIS students, minoring in Cybersecurity, Homeland Security or Emergency Services are also eligible to participate in multiple BSIS 4+1 degree program options with the M.S. in Cybersecurity Management and Policy (MCMP) or M.S. in Human Security and Resilience (MSHR) degree programs.  BSIS 4+1 degree program options create new opportunities for students to participate in an advanced graduate program and the Military Science minor allows students to transfer previously earned, upper-level, American Council on Education recommended military training credit.

The Program requires coursework in general education, a core curriculum, a minor, a specialty area, and open electives. The general education component provides a broad foundation of study, which leads to the core curriculum, focusing on a specialty. Core courses aim to enhance communication and analytical skills, so students gain an understanding of art, literature and history, which shape an appreciation for the humanities. Also, core courses prepare students to discover meaningful links to technology, science and other technical areas -- developing a renaissance education in a global economy.

Interdisciplinary Studies provides freedom for students to choose coursework, which is primarily lodged in the selection of a minor course of study.  It allows students to explore the University’s offerings in search of a scholarly education that will broaden knowledge and worldwide ambitions. In the capstone experience, each student will complete and document program outcomes.  The Capstone Project will illustrate and provide evidence of a well-rounded education to domestic and international employers.  

The flexibility of the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program allows students to build on individual strengths and interests. Depending on your choices, graduates can prepare for careers in federal or civilian aviation or aerospace, management, engineering sciences, environmental sciences, communications, mathematics, or other related professions.  In addition, Interdisciplinary Studies provides a strong foundation for advanced degrees. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program seeks students with an entrepreneurial spirit who will cross boundaries, make creative connections, be flexible in a changing career environment, and become leaders in chosen fields.

This degree program participates in the Air University-Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC Category I).  Students who have completed a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) associates degree are eligible.  CCAF graduates can complete a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies by taking no more than 60 semester hours beyond their CCAF degree.

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies students who wish to continue on to a master's degree may enroll in the BSIS 4+1 to M.S. in Cybersecurity Management and Policy (MCMP) or  M.S. in Human Security and Resilience (MHSR) degree program option (See below).

In addition, BSIS students are also eligible to minor in Military Science.

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Included in the 120 credit hours must be 40 credit hours of upper-division courses (300-400 level). 

General Education Requirements

For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs. 

Core Requirements / Categories

View Minors

The Military Science minor is available exclusively to BSIS students.  BSIS students must select one minor field of study. Required credits in each minor vary, depending on the minor(s) chosen. Examples of minors and required credits are shown below but can change. Please consult the Worldwide Minor Courses of Study page for up to date list. Courses taken in minors cannot duplicate (double-counted for) requirements in other areas.

BSIS to MCMP or MHSR 4+1 Program: A Unique Opportunity

Students who are accepted into the 4+1 program, spend three academic years in undergraduate-level study, minoring in Cybersecurity, Homeland Security or Emergency Services and then, at the beginning of  their senior year (having earned at least 88 credit hours with a 3.00 CGPA), will take up to three graduate-level courses that will meet undergraduate and graduate program requirements (when a B grade or better is achieved).  Upon completion of the BSIS requirements, students will be enrolled in graduate school and can complete their MCMP or MSHR degree in one year.  In any graduate course taken by an undergraduate student, a grade of B or better must be earned.  If a grade of C or F is earned in any of the MCMP or MSHR graduate courses taken for BSIS credit, the student will be removed from the 4+1 program, have credit awarded to the BSIS degree only, and may continue to complete the BSIS degree.

Students initiate program acceptance through their Academic Advisor or Campus Advisor; to help ensure program criteria are met.  Student Advisor will complete request for processing into program.

Footnote:
Minnesota student residents refer to State of Minnesota Course Requirement statement for Humanities requirements.