ITDS Mission

The Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies (ITDS) offers a Bachelor's degree in the Special Major and a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. The undergraduate Special Major and the graduate Major in Interdisciplinary Studies are designed for students whose particular interests, backgrounds, or professional objectives are not served by a traditional degree program. The purpose of these majors is to provide a carefully controlled opportunity for exceptional students to design, with faculty approval, a flexible interdisciplinary course of study that leads to a bachelor's or master's degree. Admission is limited to students whose individualized programs can be organized around a special topic or a cross-disciplinary inquiry that is original and involves work in more than one department. Interested students should contact the Coordinator of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies (ITDS), who initiates the application and screening process.

The Special Major and the Major in Interdisciplinary Studies are not intended to bypass normal graduation requirements and may not be used to duplicate formally structured programs at SSU or other service-area institutions. The reason for this restriction is that these programs should be reserved for students whose special interests cross disciplinary lines and who find appropriate faculty expertise atSonoma State University.