Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

This Graduate Program can be designed to be totally online, according to the goals of each student.

(See also the General University requirements for admission.)

The Master of Arts is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. The program is based on an interdisciplinary approach that allows students the flexibility to develop their own unique program of study by taking courses from any of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, or Education Graduate Programs. Primarily, the program serves the needs of those students seeking to enrich and satisfy their personal educational goals through non-predetermined graduate study. The curriculum is structured to produce graduates who possess a diverse range of coursework appropriate to any career that demands a person highly skilled in analytic reading, critical listening, and high-level communication abilities, ready for further university study or upper-level employment in their chosen field.

Students will choose courses from two or more areas of expertise, planning and discussing the course of study with the graduate advisor. An agreed plan will be developed and approved in the first semester of study. This plan can be changed at any time, with agreement of the student and graduate advisor.

It is also possible for students to use up to 6 hours of 400/500, (which are taken at the 500 level) courses taken during their undergraduate degree, to be counted toward the Masters. The student should apply for this credit during the final year of their undergraduate program, by applying to the Graduate program at Athens State University and designated the two courses that will be used toward the master’s program.

Master of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies Program Goals

1. Research Excellence: The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree offers students an opportunity to integrate a variety of methodological perspectives and modes of inquiry under a single degree program and course of study. Students choose courses according to their needs and career choices. They will gain an in-depth understanding of graduate-level research and current trends in interdisciplinary scholarship, as well as preparation for advancement in their chosen career field.
2. Cultural and Ethical Integrity: The program helps students be well-educated, critically thinking community members who consider actions in terms of ethical behavior and positively contribute to society, as well as participate in policy evaluation in meaningful ways.
3. Transformative Learning: By combining approaches and courses, students construct an innovative curriculum that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, often to answer a specific question or to address a theme of interest to the individual student.
4. Entrepreneurship: Students are encouraged to “think outside the box” and build their skills for the workforce of the future, while designing that future.

Program Requirements:

To be considered for admission to the online MA in Interdisciplinary Studies program, prospective students must:

• Complete an application for graduate admission and submit all official transcripts
• Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Submit all additional documents required by the program, noted in the application
• Meet all published deadlines for submitting application materials

Prospective students who earned a bachelor’s degree with a GPA below 3.0 but above 2.5 may be eligible for conditional admission.

EACH STUDENT MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR KNOWING THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE THAT IS BEING PURSUED.

Applicable University Requirements:

Students earning the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) degree must satisfy all general University requirements and meet all financial obligations before a degree is awarded.

Applicants to the program must have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university/college, or if they apply in the last year of their bachelor’s degree, be pre-approved for using up to 6-hours of 400/500 level coursework in their master’s program.

Core Course Requirements

Required

UNV 500	Research Methods for the Master of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies	3
	Graduate Courses Chosen and Planned with Advisor	27
UNV 650	Capstone Seminar Interdisciplinary Studies	3
Total Credit Hours:		33