Master of Science-Interdisciplinary Studies

The graduate Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) degree is a multi-disciplinary, flexible program of study that provides the student with a broad perspective and foundational knowledge in more than one academic field. Sometimes a focused graduate program is not sufficient to meet a student's unique career goals, or a student simply has multiple interests; this program can be "customized" with an anchor area of study and up to two supplemental disciplines. With this program, students will develop an awareness of the perspectives and philosophies of various interest groups and contexts and be encouraged to take a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving and workplace innovation.

Before being admitted to the program, prospective students meet with the program coordinator to discuss academic and career goals. Based on that conversation, prospective students devise a personal program of study and submit their proposal with their admissions packet. This plan will serve as a degree completion guide. (See below for more information)

Alternative Teacher Certification: Students desiring both state certification and a graduate degree may include A&M-Texarkana’s alternative certification program in their MSIS degree plan. Students wishing to seek certification along with their MSIS should contact the Graduate Alternative Certification Program Office at 903-223-3044 or education.department@tamut.edu. NOTE: this pathway may require more credits.

Admission Requirements

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum of cumulative 2.80 GPA or 2.80 GPA in last 60 hours of undergraduate degree program
  • Passing score on TEXES exam for those pursuing the teacher certification path
  • Two letters of academic recommendation
  • Personal Program of Study Proposal (1-2 page essay based on preliminary meeting with program coordinator). The proposal should include:
    1. a statement of goals and why earning an interdisciplinary degree may be suitable for reaching professional/personal goals
    2. a chart depicting the academic areas the student would like to study and why
    3. current resume

Admission Requirements must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office by the designated deadline of first semester of enrollment.  Be aware that initial admission to the university does not guarantee full admission to a graduate degree program.

Career Prospects:  opportunities are as diverse and expansive as the various disciplinary study combinations. However, here are some possibilities: 

  • Leadership, management, and/or supervisory roles
  • Social or community agency careers
  • Teaching in primary and/or secondary schools when the degree is combined with an Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
  • College-level teaching, including dual-credit assignments, with 18 SCH of graduate coursework in an academic discipline. Complementary coursework in education is an option for supplemental discipline(s)
  • General upward mobility for those in an established field of practice
  • Sales and marketing roles
  • Public relations positions
  • Entrepreneurial goals
  • Primary, secondary, and post-secondary education support roles
  • Human resource management
  • Public administrative roles

Although an interdisciplinary program can be powerful in terms of career development, students are encouraged to work with the Career Development Center on resume development, interviewing skills, and career prospects that target graduates of multi-disciplinary programs

What Students Gain from this Program

Regardless of which disciplines a student chooses to study, a graduate of the program will be equipped with:

1. A broad, interdisciplinary perspective of knowledge and the capacity to apply integrated knowledge to problem-solving, inquiry and innovation.

2. Analytical skills that cross disciplinary boundaries.

3. Sensitivity to perspectives of various interest groups and contexts, such as social, political, cultural, and economic.

4. Research and technical writing skills.

Options for Anchor Discipline (courses must be 500 level or higher)

  • English
  • Biology
  • History
  • Communication
  • Educational Administration
  • Adult and Higher Education
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Education
  • Instructional Technology
  • Special Education
  • Education
  • Reading
  • Kinesiology
  • A discipline transferred from an accredited institution (max. of 12 SCH may be transferred) - Disciplines not offered at the A&M-Texarkana campus can be obtained through the cross-enrollment program with A&M-Commerce. Examples: Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Sociology, Chemistry, etc.
  • NOTE:  Psychology, Counseling, and Business cannot be used as the main anchor discipline but can be selected as supplemental disciplines, although a restricted selection of courses applies.

Degree Requirements

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

Major Requirements
3 SCH in Research Methodology (Align with Anchor Discipline) - select from:3
ED 520
Research Design
ENG 593
Research in Composition
ENG 595
Research Literature and Techniques
HIST 500
Historiography
PSY 540
Research Literature and Techniques
IS 596
MSIS Research Project
Anchor Discipline 1 - All discipline courses must be 500 level or higher courses12-18
Supplemental Discipline (distinct from Anchor discipline) For Psychology and Counseling see advisor for course selections - restrictions apply6-9
Supplemental Discipline ( distinct from the Anchor discipline)0-9
Minimum Hours for Degree30
1

1Options for Anchor Discipline: English, Biology, History, Communication, Kinesiology, Education Administration, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Instructional Technology, Reading, Special Education, Education, or a discipline transferred from another accredited institution (maximum of 12 SCH may be transferred). Psychology (restricted courses), Counseling (restricted courses), Management, and Economics can only be taken as Supplemental Disciplines.

2

2Students may concentrate study across two or three disciplines. The second supplemental discipline is omitted when the degree’s required 30 SCH are earned in courses within the major requirement(s), anchor discipline, and one supplemental discipline. 

Requirements for Graduation

The requirements for graduation include: (1) Minimum of 3.00 grade point average overall for graduate coursework; (2) no course grades below a C; (3) Completion of all required courses and the minimum number of program SCH.