Division of Academic Affairs
About Interdisciplinary Studies
MISSION
To provide a customizable interdisciplinary degree plan designed for students who want deeper engagement with the development of their course of study and want their undergraduate education to correspond to their post-graduate goals, including professional programs, graduate school, and careers while maintaining academic integrity.
GOAL
To enhance our university’s ability to respond to the needs, demands, and capacities of diverse student populations by serving as an institutional pathway that fosters interdisciplinary and engaged scholarship that hones students’ abilities to think critically and creatively, seek knowledge in and across disciplines, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively and ethically.
MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR
The B.A. or B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies is a unique degree at California State University, Fresno that allows students to design their own distinct course of study by choosing coursework from at least two different academic programs. Interdisciplinary education
provides students with distinct benefits and opportunities because the world constantly challenges us to address complicated problems that demand intellectual creativity, flexibility, and out-of-the-box thinking. By engaging with different academic perspectives, an interdisciplinary student becomes an agile thinker with diverse skill sets pre
pared to thrive in a variety of professional environments. For example, careers paths such as healthcare, business, government, and the community benefit sector demand workers grounded in systems-thinking who can integrate diverse ways of understanding and solving problems.
The goal of Interdisciplinary Studies at Fresno State is to provide students with an academically rigorous, meaningful, and forward-looking degree that provides students with the critical thinking skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving academic and career environment. We strive to provide the necessary support to students so they can be agents of change in both their personal and professional lives.
Whether you are a first-year student, transfer student, continuing student, or returning student, please use our website to learn more about how to apply for an IS degree. We look forward to a conversation with you about a degree plan that works for your future.
Matthew Ari Jendian, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Make an appointment today to discuss your IS Degree Plan:
- Meet with a member of the advising team at the University Advising Center.
- Contact a faculty advisor in one of your major departments.
- Email Dr. Jendian at matthewj@csufresno.edu
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)
Students earning a B.A./B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies at Fresno State will be able to …
- articulate the interconnectedness of their chosen areas of study in pursuit of their educational goals;
- effectively communicate how the interconnected areas of study will help them achieve their personal and/or professional goals; and
- apply their interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to current challenges facing individuals, communities, or societies.
SAMPLE FORMS
- Application for an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree
- Change form to ADD or DELETE a course from the IS Degree Plan
- Correction form (administrative use)