Interdisciplinary Studies Major

Overview

Have you dreamed of designing a major built around your unique goals and interests? An Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major is an optimal choice for students who have a vision of what they want to accomplish and learn in college but feel that their plan may not fit cleanly into an existing academic major.

UW-Superior offers the oldest and most established interdisciplinary studies major program in the Universities of Wisconsin and is one of the largest majors by enrollment at UW-Superior due to the tailored experience it provides students.

Working closely with our IDS coordinator, you can design your plan of study from a variety of subjects, creating a custom program that fits your interests and goals. The interdisciplinary studies major is an optimal choice if you are seeking a degree or career preparation not offered at UWS or perhaps not anywhere. It can also be a great choice if you are a transfer student or have some college experience and are looking for the most efficient way to complete your degree. We also offer a customized minor.

Choose from the following options:

• Comprehensive (no minor required). Minimum 53 credits, 22 of which must be upper division, with at least two disciplinary areas.
• Non-comprehensive (minor required). Minimum 35 credits, 18 of which must be upper division.

Flexible Options

You may choose to design your own major or choose from a list of pre-planned self-designed majors. We also offer a customized minor.

Online, On Campus or Hybrid

Courses may be online, hybrid or on campus (depending on areas of study and modalities offered), and upon approval, students name their own major with the title appearing on their official transcript.

Experienced Coordinator

Our experienced and dedicated IDS Coordinator has helped many students create interdisciplinary majors and will walk you through the process, offering ideas and helpful tips.

What You’ll Learn

You will receive a well-rounded educational experience through our self-designed program. Students typically have broader exposure to different faculty and staff across campus, learning from various backgrounds and disciplines, and often graduate feeling more marketable to employers or graduate programs. Through an interdisciplinary major, you will:

• Incorporate different areas of study into one major
• Acquire skills and knowledge specific to your interests and future goals
• Increase earning and employment potential or prepare for graduate study

The self-designed major at UW-Superior helped me finish school with a degree that fit my needs. Since UWS did not have an environmental education major, I was able to create a program with the help of my advisor that matched my interests and career goals. I am now graduating on time with a degree in environmental education studies, and I have already secured a job at an outdoor school next fall.

Hana Hellmers, Environmental Education Studies (Self-Designed)

Pre-Planned Majors

The following is a list of previously designed majors that are in high demand. You may choose from this list or create your own major, with input and approval from academic advising.