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Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts program is designed for students wanting a traditional “liberal arts” degree. Students select 60 upper division credits, 20 credits in each of the breadth areas of humanities, science, and social science. The curriculum is specifically designed for those whose academic interests and goals are not met by existing majors, yet desire more structure toward course selection. Students craft a personalized course of study within the 20-20-20 liberal arts framework under the guidance of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, 12 credits of Interdisciplinary Core courses are required, emphasizing an integrated approach to understanding complex, real-world problems, ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive educational experience.

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.

Note: two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Required–choose courses from the following areas–must be upper-division (300/400 level)
Humanities20
Sciences20
Social Sciences20
ITDS 230EXPLORING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES4
ITDS 330CONNECTING ITDS THEORY, RESEARCH & PRACTICE4
ITDS 490INTERDISCIPLINARY SR CAPSTONE (or other departmental capstone with ITDS Director approval)4
Total Credits72
University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB


General Education Requirements (GER)
  • Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences


University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List


Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term you expect to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.
Requirements in Degree Works are based on these two catalog years:

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Credit 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 BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Liberal Arts 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.