The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies: Interdisciplinary Aging Leadership & Administration is an online degree option that enables students to earn lower division elective credits (subject to department assessment*) toward their degree through submission of an experiential learning portfolio (after completing a specialized 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.

Students will integrate coursework from Aging Studies, Healthcare Administration, Psychology, and diverse human backgrounds, providing a multifaceted understanding of the issues affecting older adults. The curriculum prepares students with the leadership, administrative, and culturally responsive skills needed to serve and advocate for a diverse aging population. 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.

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.

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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.

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Upper-Division Aging Studies Elective–complete 8 upper-division Aging Studies elective credits from the approved list.

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Diverse Human Backgrounds or Psychology Elective–complete 16 upper-division elective credits focusing on Diverse Human Backgrounds and/or Psychology from the approved list.

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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.

1. 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).
2. 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 BS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Interdisciplinary Aging Leadership & Administration 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;
• relate and apply aging, leadership, and administration-related theories and principles to various work environments;
• investigate the intersection of people of diverse backgrounds in relation to serving the aging community;
• develop plans to incorporate aging, leadership, and administrative principles to address complex challenges across diverse work environments serving older adults.