Interdisciplinary Degrees

Idaho State University offers students the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree (M.A., M.S., M. Ed.). The objective of the interdisciplinary studies degree is to provide students with the opportunity to design specific programs of study of an interdisciplinary nature when the student's needs or desires do not fall within a currently prescribed graduate program.  The degree sought will be Interdisciplinary Studies. Other fields in the title will be the fields of academic concentration.

In consultation with faculty, students may combine courses from more than one school or college or more than one department to create an individualized program of educational experience.

The requirements for completion include:

  • a minimum of 30 credit hours total
  • a minimum of 10 credits each from two participating departments
  • a minimum of 15 credits at the 6600 level

Students must be admitted to such a program by each participating department. Students must contact each department contemplated to be involved before initiating the development of an interdisciplinary program.

Although students must take at least 10 credits in each of the participating departments, departments may, at their discretion, require additional credit hours from students as a condition of departmental participation and admission to the program. An initial program of study must be submitted to the Graduate School during the first year of course work to be entered into Degreeworks.

Requirements for interdisciplinary degrees are the same as for other degree programs. An interdisciplinary thesis may be written with a minimum of three credits and a maximum of five credits in each department. The final oral examination must include a representative from each department and a GFR from a department not involved in the interdisciplinary degree program.

Interdisciplinary Degree Admission Requirements

The student must apply to, and meet all criteria for, admission to the Graduate School. Certain departments may also have other admission requirements. Please check with specific departments for further details.

Environmental Science and Management Master's Degree Program

Students may pursue an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management (ESM) through the College of Science and Engineering. See the description and requirements of this degree in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Study Abroad

STUA 5500 Study Abroad 9-12 credits: Pre-arranged, planned courses of study at selected academic institutions outside of the United States. The student is responsible for resident credit arrangements with department(s) and the International Programs Office prior to departure. Prefix and course name will be replaced on ISU transcript when study abroad transcript arrives. Graded S/U. REPEATABLE WITH DEPARTMENT PERMISSION.

Memorandum of Understanding Agreements Between Brigham Young University - Idaho (BYU-I) and Idaho State University (ISU)

There are two possible arrangements for a five-year bachelor's-master's degree; those arrangements are 3+2 and 4+1 programs. In the 3+2 arrangement, the student is enrolled at BYU-I for the first three years and ISU for the final two years resulting in a bachelor's degree from BYU-I and a master's degree from ISU. In the 4+1 arrangement the student is enrolled at BYU-I for four years with the option to take graduate classes from ISU during the senior year and then is admitted to graduate school at ISU in the fifth year, resulting in a bachelor's degree from BYU-I and a master's degree from ISU. Please check the Graduate School's website and/or individual department websites for participating programs and more details.