Guidelines for Interdisciplinary Programs
By their very nature, interdisciplinary programs need to meet different critera from other programs. Here are some guidelines for the development of interdisciplinary programs:
- All interdisciplinary programs should have a required introductory course, capstone, or experiential-learning course that pulls together the various interdisciplinary threads.
- Each course in an interdisciplinary program must have at least one-third of its content dedicated to the subject of the program.
- Students must take courses from at least two disciplines (or two courses that are explicitly multidisciplinary).
- The catalog should contain a complete list of courses that qualify for the interdisciplinary program.
- All relevant departments must indicate (via signature of the department chairs), an explicit committment to deliver the necessary courses.
- Program directors for interdisciplinary programs should normally receive a stipend and/or course release.
- All of these guidelines apply to all new and existing interdisciplinary programs.