Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree
Criteria for Program Admissions
Rationale for Adult Learner Opportunities
There are many working adults in the Columbia metropolitan area and beyond that desire to complete the Bachelor's Degree to enhance their personal and professional development and to improve the quality of their lives. However, due to hectic work schedules, family responsibilities, and church and community service commitments, many working adults have stopped out or dropped out of their pursuit altogether. Further, many among the population of adult learners do not have the luxury of attending traditional undergraduate programs. Adult Nontraditional learners earning the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies will join the of bachelor's degree holders and potentially have greater opportunities for personal fulfillment while placing themselves in a more strategic position in life to uplift the ambition of their families and their communities.
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Benedict College
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree at Benedict College provides educational opportunities not readily available through the traditional departmental degree programs. Adult Nontraditional students have maximum flexibility in developing a course of study appropriate to their goals because courses from the four degree offering schools can be selected. By completing the College's General Education Requirements, the required Interdisciplinary Core, courses in a variety of disciplines, and elective courses, Adult Nontraditional students will be able to experience an academic program that is logical, consistent course of study that is based on acceptable and germane student objectives.
The School of Continuing Education is convinced that the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies will be an opportunity for adult learners from various fields and employment backgrounds to complete the Bachelor's degree for career enhancement and promotional opportunities by exposure to a plethora of courses routed in interdisciplinary perspectives.
Relationship to the Mission
Based on its mission statement, Benedict College is "committed to providing instruction which leads to the baccalaureate degrees in the arts, sciences and professional areas". In addition, we are committed to providing continuing education that will lead to certificates and other special designations that may be useful for a career in the external environments. It is our intent to prepare students to enter career paths which will result in leadership positions in business, education, church, government, community, and professional organizations, or prepare them for further graduate and professional study." The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Benedict College directly advances this mission.
Degree Program
The School of Continuing Education awards the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The degree program is housed in the School of Continuing Education and is directed by the Dean of the School of Continuing Education who is assisted by the Assistant Dean. Full-time and Adjunct Faculty from the College's academic programs, as well as, Adjunct Faculty from government, community and educational agencies will deliver instruction.
Target Population
The target population expected to study for the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree primarily includes working adults, 25 years old and older who have some college credits and wish to complete the bachelor's degree for career enhancement and employment advancement. Other students may be admitted at the discretion of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Committee and approval by the Dean or the Assistant Dean of the School of Continuing Education.
Career Positions and Employment Paths
In addition to advancement in already established careers, Adult Nontraditional Students earning the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies may consider careers and advancement in the following areas and many others as well: Research Associate, Research Analyst, Management Coordinator, Purchasing Agent, Telecommunications, Analyst, Leadership Development Trainee, Senior Instructor/Clinical Mentee, Marketing Assistant, Integration Analyst, Marketing and Business Development, Project Specialist, Production Assistant, Program Youth Director, and Consultant.
Program Objectives
The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree are to allow Benedict College the opportunity to:
- Provide meaningful instruction for adult learners which leads to the baccalaureate degree.
- Provide continuing education that will lead to certificates and other special designations that may be useful for a career in the external environments.
- Prepare adult learners to enter and expand career paths which will result in leadership positions in business, education, church, government, community, and professional organizations.
- Prepare adult learners for further graduate and professional study.
- Instill in adult learners a life-long commitment to self-development, commitment to being the best, and a desire for public service.
- Instill in adult learners a commitment to making the world a better place so they can be "Powers for Good in Society."
- Encourage adult learners to undertake research to keep current in their fields and to contribute to the general advancement of knowledge in their disciplines.
Adult Nontraditional Learner Outcomes: Students will:
- Demonstrate that they understand the philosophy of interdisciplinarity and understand the importance of diversity and that they are prepared to participate in a diverse workplace.
- Be prepared to communicate effectively and reason critically when confronted with issues.
- Demonstrate preparedness for professional requirements of the workplace as evidenced through the curriculum.
- Be able to utilize appropriate skills in solving emerging career related problems.
- Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret and evaluate the work of scholars in their chosen fields.
- Demonstrate the ability to design, plan and complete a comprehensive, individually paced plan of work that is coherent, focused and consistent with the student's career goals.
- Be equipped to contribute to discovery and implementation of better policies and programs in the public and private sectors to advance all Americans to full and complete equality and to impact the world.
The Philosophy of the Curriculum:
The Core Curriculum is designed to teach adult learner to achieve interdisciplinary knowledge and acquire interdisciplinary skills, abilities, and attitudes with excellence so that our students can perform as responsible, effective, efficient, and successful professionals in their fields in the nation and throughout the world.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Adult Nontraditional Students with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies must complete the following:
General Education Requirements [60-61 schs]
All Students at Benedict College are required to complete a minimum of sixty or sixty-one credit hours of General Education.
Mathematics (General College Math I and II, or College Algebra and Pre-calculus)
6-7 hours
English (Freshman Composition I and II, World Literature I and II)
12 hours
Humanities (Art Appreciation, Theatre Appreciation, Music Appreciation)
4 hours
Physical Education
2 hours
Foreign Language (French Conversation and Grammar Review I or Spanish Conversation and Grammar Review I)
3 hours
Natural Sciences (4 hrs. in Biological Science and 4 hrs. in Physical Science or a two semester course in either)
8 hours
Social Sciences (3 hrs. in World Civilization or United States History; 3 hrs. in African-American History; 3 hrs in Political Science, or Sociology, or Psychology; and 3 hrs in Economics)
12 hours
Health Education
3 hours
Religion (Comparative Religion)
2 hours
Electives
8 hours
Total 60-61 hours
The Required Interdisciplinary Core [15 schs]
INTD 430 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies 3 hours
INTD 431 Contemporary Problems and Issues 3 hours
INTD 432 Effective Strategies for Intellectual Independence 3 hours
INTD 433Research Strategies & Technology 3 hours
INTD 434 Capstone/Internship 3 hours
Total 15 hours
Major Interdisciplinary Core [24 schs]
Students must complete 24 semester credit hours of courses at the 300-400 level.
Elective Core [29 schs]
Students must complete courses in a variety of disciplines for personal enhancement and professional development.
Interdisciplinary Elective Courses
INTD 320 Argumentation and Debate (2 sch)
INTD 330 Academic City (3 sch)
INTD 337 Professional Public Speaking (3 sch)
INTD 340 International Explorations (4 sch)
Total hours required for graduation: 128 sch
Summary of Program Requirements for the
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Total Semester Hours Required Minimum of 128 Semester Hours
- General Education: 60-61 SCH
- Interdisciplinary Core: 15 SCH
- Major Interdisciplinary Core: 24 SCH
- Electives: 29 SCH
Each student program of study must be reviewed by an Interdisciplinary Studies Program Committee and approved by the Dean or Assistant Dean of the School of Continuing Education. The Program shall include a minimum of 24 hours of credit in courses at the 300 and 400 levels.
The Required Interdisciplinary Core [15 schs]
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
INTD 430 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (3 sch) [This course will be developed to include an introduction to the philosophy of Interdisciplinarity distinguishing the concepts of interdisciplinarity knowledge, research, and education.]
INTD 431 Contemporary Problems and Issues (3 sch) [This course provides opportunities for students to further enhance their research, critical thinking, and reasoning skills by exploring contemporary national and international topics of debate.]
INTD 432 Effective Strategies for Intellectual Independence (3 sch) [This course This seminar is a continuation of INTD 431. This course is designed to further enhance reasoning, critical thinking, and research skills through reading and writing. Under the supervision of the thesis advisor and an instructor with expertise in the appropriate discipline, the students will engage in extensive research culminating in a scholarly research thesis which addresses a current issue. The required Senior paper should be incorporated into the scholarly research experience.]
INTD 433 Research Strategies & Technology (3 sch) [This course incorporates competencies in research methodology and technological literacy. The required electronic portfolio and Senior paper should be incorporated into the scholarly research experience.]
INTD 434 Capstone/Internship (3 sch) [This course includes the Senior paper and defense, articulation of content area correlation, and electronic portfolio. A draft of the thesis must be completed by mid-semester. All theses must be defended and completed prior to graduation.]
ELECTIVE COURSES
INTD 320 Argumentation and Debate (2 sch) This course examines techniques for analyzing and constructing arguments.
INTD 330 Academic City (3 sch) This course permits students to explore a city within the United States from an interdisciplinary perspective.
INTD 337 Professional Public Speaking (3 sch) This course is primarily designed for those students who seek public speaking competency for advancement in their career or public speaking competency as a profession.
INTD 340 International Explorations (4 sch) This course permits students to explore a city outside the United States or a country other than the United States from an interdisciplinary perspective.
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