Interdisciplinary Studies (MS)

Interdisciplinary Studies (MS) and (MA)

Faculty may propose interdisciplinary tracks of study that will form the basis for suitable areas of concentration to train students. Individual students may not propose individualized degrees through using this program.

Interdisciplinary programs often cross departmental and unit boundaries. The concentration must meet the criteria outlined above in terms of minimum credit hours and the distribution of coursework across disciplinary lines. Proposed areas of concentration and interdisciplinary tracks of study will be subject to approval by the following academic bodies:

1. Unit Curriculum and Budget Committees
2. Graduate Council
3. Office of Academic Planning and Accountability

The development of an interdisciplinary track is the responsibility of the faculty, but the Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Studies will provide assistance and guidance. Participating faculty must have the consent of their departmental chair or dean to participate in an Interdisciplinary Track.

Requests for further information or assistance should be addressed to:

Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Studies
Graduate School
Houchens Building, Suite 105
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky 40292
Phone: (502) 852-6495
Email: graduate@louisville.edu

Admission Requirements

Applicants for tracks within the interdisciplinary master's program must present complete admission credentials in to be admitted.  Admission must be recommended by the Director of Graduate Studies for the track on the recommendation of the track's admissions committee. The required credentials are:

1. The application for admission;
2. Transcripts showing all undergraduate and graduate course work and all degrees earned;
3. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test; if required for admission;
4. Three letters of recommendation;
5. TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score if the applicant's native language is not English and he/she has not earned a degree from a university or college in the U.S.;
6. A written statement of career objectives and rationale for obtaining an advanced degree..

All these credentials must be sent to the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions, University of Louisville, for distribution to the appropriate offices.

Program Requirements

Curriculum will be determined during the development of each individual student's program proposal for the individually-designed programs. For an Interdisciplinary Track program, a core of faculty may propose a curriculum that will form the basis for an area of concentration.

In addition to the above stipulations regarding admissions, each interdisciplinary master's degree program track must meet specific criteria as follow

1. An overall minimum of 30 credit hours at 500 or 600 level.
2. A thesis (maximum of six (6) hours for thesis in a 30 credit hour program) or six (6) additional credit hours of 600-level courses for non-thesis. Interdisciplinary students must enroll in GS 699 for thesis credit.
3. At least one-half of the non-thesis, non-practicum, non-internship credit hours must be at the 600 level.
4. A minimum of six (6) credit hours of 600-level course work must be taken in each of at least two departments or programs offering degrees through the Graduate School.
5. No single department or program may offer more than half the total number of credit hours required by the program.
6. Exclusive of thesis credit, no more than six (6) credit hours may be taken in courses of the independent-study or practicum type; such course work may not be counted toward criteria specified in 3 or 4.
7. Courses designated as fulfilling degree requirements must be offered with sufficient frequency to permit the student to complete degree requirements within a reasonable time (two years for a 30 credit hour program).
8. If a thesis is required, the student's primary mentor must meet their unit's minimum graduate faculty guidelines for directing theses.