Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.
The Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A. program offers multiple ways for working adults to personalize their college experience and achieve their educational and professional goals. The program allows for students to transfer up to 75% of their credits, including Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Students will be able to customize their degree through the completion of NLU’s current course offerings, including available minors and concentrations. In addition, all students in this program will complete a culminating capstone course where they will connect their coursework to a research project that synthesizes their learning experiences and connects that learning to their future career objectives.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the undergraduate program in Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies are directly aligned with the University Learning Outcomes. The PLOs reinforce NLU’s commitment to innovation and ensure that course offerings remain responsive and relevant to the adult learners’ needs.
At the completion of the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program, students will be able to:
PLO-1: INTELLECTUAL SKILLS. Evaluate their prior educational and professional experiences and create an educational path that will meet their interests and goals.
PLO-2: APPLIED AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING. Synthesize learning from different fields of study, prior learning, and professional experiences in a way that advances personal and professional goals.
PLO-3: SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE. Build the analytical, information evaluation, and qualitative and quantitative communication skills necessary to advance in their field.
PLO-4: BROAD AND INTEGRATIVE KNOWLEDGE. Develop the skills and strategies needed to solve problems and embrace opportunities unique to their field.
PLO-5: CIVIC AND GLOBAL LEARNING. Investigate their world view and develop an appreciation for different perspectives as it applies to issues on a local, national, and global scale.
PLO-6: PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. Develop the interpersonal and leadership attributes aligned with their professional goals in order to successfully further their career path after completion of their college degree.
In addition to the Undergraduate College Admission Requirements, program requires:
- Transfer credit of at least 45 quarter hours
Program Details:
- Requires 180 QH including 48- 60 QH of General Education for completion
- Requires a minimum of 60 QH of upper division coursework at the 300 or 400-level, which can include courses that apply to a minor or concentration
- Requires completion of the program Capstone course at NLU
- Students transferring less than 90 QH must complete a concentration or minor
- Requires a min GPA of 2.0 for graduation
- Requires completion of a min of 45 QH of coursework at NLU upon matriculation
Required Courses
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ART 105 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art | 5 |
| ART 106 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art I | 2 |
| ART 107 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art II | 3 |
| HIS 103 | History Across the Globe | 5 |
| PHI 107 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
- Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| GEN 210 | Think Global-Perspectives from the Field | 3 TO 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 204 | Contemporary Chicago | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| SOC 250 | Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
General Education Electives
Students must choose two courses from any general education field indicated above.
Program Requirements 60 QH
Upper Division Courses - 55 QH
The Interdisciplinary Studies major requires completion of 300 and 400 level courses.
Capstone Course - 5 QH
| CAR 492 | Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 5 |
Electives 60- 72 QH
Students transferring in less than 90 QH at the time of admission, including Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), must complete a minimum of one
concentration or
minor to reach 180 QH for program completion.