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. Students may also earn lower division elective credits (subject to department assessment*) toward their degree through submission of an experiential learning portfolio (after completing a specialized elective 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.

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.

*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.

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.

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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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Complete 20 credits each of upper-division (300- and 400- level) Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences electives in consultation with ITDS director. 

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 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.