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 230 | EXPLORING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 4 |
| ITDS 300 | PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| ITDS 330 | CONNECTING ITDS THEORY, RESEARCH & PRACTICE | 4 |
| ITDS 490 | INTERDISCIPLINARY 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 Credits | 72 | |
Plan of Study
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 Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| ENGL 101 | 5 | ENGL 201 | 5 | MATH 107 or 121 | 5 |
| Humanities & Arts BACR 11 | 5 | Social Sciences BACR 11 | 5 | Social Sciences BACR 21 | 5 |
| Natural Sciences BACR 11 | 5 | Natural Sciences BACR 21 | 5 | Humanities & Arts BACR 21 | 5 |
| 15 | 15 | 15 | |||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 | ITDS 230 | 4 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 |
| 15 | 14 | 15 | |||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| ITDS 300 | 4 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 |
| Diversity - graduation requirement1 | 5 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 |
| Global Studies - graduation requirement1 | 5 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 5 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 |
| 14 | 15 | 15 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall Quarter | Credits | Winter Quarter | Credits | Spring Quarter | Credits |
| Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 | ITDS 330 | 4 | ITDS 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement) | 4 |
| Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 |
| Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 3 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 3 | Upper-Division Major Elective2 | 5 |
| Elective - minor or general elective3 | 4 | Elective - minor or general elective3 | 4 | ||
| 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.
General Education Requirements (GER)
- Minimum Quarter Credits—180 cumulative credit hours
- 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
- 45 credits in residence (attendance) at EWU, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at EWU
- Minimum Semester Credits—120 cumulative credit hours
- 40 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
- 30 credits in residence (attendance) at EWU, with at least 10 upper-division credits in major in residence at EWU
- Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0
University Competencies and Proficiencies
Writing
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB
Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)
Humanities and Arts
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
University Graduation Requirements (UGR)
Diversity Course List
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).
Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.
- The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
- The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.
Students who earn a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Experiential Learning from EWU should be able to:
- describe the value of ITDS theory, research, and practice to complex community and workplace problems;
- critically evaluate perspectives on complex issues leveraging literature from the perspective of multiple disciplines;
- synthesize meaningful personal and professional connections and multiple areas of study;
- design a project involving original research and/or a literature review using an integrated approach;
- demonstrate professional communication with potential community partners and stakeholders while developing a project to address a community- or workplace-situated problem;
- reflect on the value of prior experiential learning experiences in relation to college-level learning outcomes;
- create artifacts representing the rich knowledge gained from learning experiences for a potential experiential learning credit portfolio.