your journey starts here

The College of Letters and Sciences

• The College of Letters and Sciences offers undergraduate degree programs and foundational skill development in humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics for a rapidly changing marketplace, as well as cutting-edge graduate programs that advance practice and research in human-service fields.

Duane RoenAssistant Vice Provost forUniversity Academic Success Programs

Interim Dean, University CollegeInterim Executive Director, College of Letters & Sciences

Interdisciplinary Studies BA

The ASU Interdisciplinary Studies BA program has developed into one of the leading bachelor’s of interdisciplinary studies programs in the country; it is clearly in the top five of approximately 250 similar programs.

BIS External Review

Interdisciplinary studies is an approach to answering questions, solving problems and addressing contemporary social issues from multiple perspectives.

why do students choose the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies degree?• the power of interdisciplinary problem-solving

• the flexibility of the degree

• the interdisciplinary skills taught in the core courses

• the choice of face-to-face and online courses

• the ability to combine two minors or certificates into an interdisciplinary studies degree program

• the option of a concurrent degree to more clearly define a career pathway or prepare for graduate school

School of Letters & Sciences

SustainabilitySustainability* * Business Business * * Data AnalyticsData Analytics* * CommunicationCommunication * * History History * * Political Political Science Science * * Education StudiesEducation Studies * * EconomicsEconomics * * SociologySociology * * Psychology Psychology * * GeographyGeography * * Urban Planning Urban Planning * * English English * * Medieval & Renaissance StudiesMedieval & Renaissance Studies * * Computer GamingComputer Gaming * * Film & Media ProductionFilm & Media Production* * Computer Gaming Computer Gaming * * Family Family StudiesStudies * * LanguagesLanguages * * Homeland SecurityHomeland Security* * Criminal Justice Criminal Justice * * KinesiologyKinesiology * * BiologyBiology * * ChemistryChemistry * * Music Music * * MathematicsMathematics * * PhilosophyPhilosophy * * Non-Profit Non-Profit Administration Administration * * Religious Studies Religious Studies * * AnthropologyAnthropology * * Social Welfare Social Welfare * * Speech & Speech & Hearing Science Hearing Science * * TheatreTheatre * * Music Performance Music Performance * * WellnessWellness * * Women & Gender Women & Gender StudiesStudies * * LGBTQ StudiesLGBTQ Studies* * InformaticsInformatics * * Organizational Studies Organizational Studies * * Human Human Rights Rights * * Film & Media StudiesFilm & Media Studies * * Classical Studies - LatinClassical Studies - Latin* * Art History Art History * * AstronomyAstronomy * * Engineering ManagementEngineering Management* * Sales & Marketing EssentialsSales & Marketing Essentials* * Tourism Development & ManagementTourism Development & Management * * Global HealthGlobal Health* * Studio ArtStudio Art* * Architectural StudiesArchitectural Studies* * EthicsEthics* * Socio-Legal StudiesSocio-Legal Studies* * European Union StudiesEuropean Union Studies* * International StudiesInternational Studies * * Human NutritionHuman Nutrition * * BiochemistryBiochemistry * * Media AnalysisMedia Analysis**International Business StudiesInternational Business Studies

Interdisciplinary Studies students take an active role in designing their educational plan and defining their career goals

Interdisciplinary Studies Concentrations

Foundations of Interdisciplinary Studies

BIS 301

Applied Interdisciplinary Studies

BIS 401

Senior SeminarBIS 402

Interdisciplinary InquiryBIS 302

Interdisciplinary Core

Elective CreditMinors / Certificates

Concentration Area

18-25 Credits

More than 140 to choose from

Concentration Area

18-25 Credits

More than 140 to choose from

The Real World…

BIS 401 Applied Study

125+ hours at a non-profit, private or public organization

InternshipsPractical experience enhanced by substantial analytical and integrative coursework

Prior and Current Placement Sites:

98.7 The PeakArizona CardinalsASU Sports Media RelationsBoys and Girls Clubs of the ValleyEscalante Community CenterFox StudiosHoneywell InternationalKaiser PermanentePharmalink PharmaceuticalPhoenix Convention Center & VenuesPush Marketing & PromotionSenator John McCain Phoenix OfficeSony MusicWells Fargomore…

Pairing BIS 401 with the Honors Thesis/Creative Project

Credits for the honors thesis/creative project and BIS applied course (BIS 401) cannot be obtained through the same set of activities; however, they can be effectively planned so that they complement one another

Real World Application•Honors Thesis on Sustainable Cities working with a professor in Sustainability•125 hour BIS 401 internship at the Urban Land Institute in Phoenix which developed and implemented the light rail corridor as a model for sustainable development

Real World Application•125 hour BIS internship working with a professor in the Morrison Institute of Public Policy in developing and implementing a survey on homelessness in Arizona.•Honors Thesis: Working with the same faculty member, but in developing a thesis using a portion of the survey data as a point of analysis

Researcher & Practitioner

Interdisciplinary Studies in Action

our graduates• entrepreneurs• marketing account managers• stockbrokers• real estate agents• public safety• public administration• broadcast journalists• travel & tourism management• technology data managers, programmers and analysts• higher education administrators• graduate school

– professions• medical/dental/pharmacy• law• counseling• education

– other fields of interest

https://cls.asu.edu/node/590

Joshua Watson - BIS concentrations: Education & Family Studies - graduate student in the School of Social Transformation pursuing MA in Social & Cultural Pedagogy

Brendan Pantilione - BIS concentrations: Islamic Studies & Political Science - finalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship in Tajikistan

•BIS graduates are the creators of Project 12M an initiative “enlisting local banks and non-profit organizations to formalize a pathways for students to participate in community service or service learning to reduce their student loan debt.”

Joshua Watson

Seth• Interdisciplinary Studies Alumni

– Concentrations in Business and Economics– Past president of the Sports Business

Association at ASU– Advice to students: “Network, get involved

with school clubs, do internships, and learn”– Current Position: Client Services Executive for

JetSuite

Maribeth• Interdisciplinary Studies Alumni

– Concentrations in Communication and Mass Communication

– Her BIS 401 Internship at a local radio station gave her great skills in promotion, marketing, & event planning

– At a radio station sponsored event, she was able to network and land her first job after graduation

– Current Position – Territory Manager for RJ Reynolds

Declaring an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree• Complete the BIS Pre-Advising Workshop

– https://cls.asu.edu/bisworkshop • Schedule an appointment with an Interdisciplinary

Studies Advisor to discuss the degree and/or change your major

Interdisciplinary Studies Advising• Tempe: 480-965-4464

– UASB 129• Downtown Phoenix: 602-496-4000

– UCENT 3rd Floor• Polytechnic & Online: 480-727-1526

– Wanner Hall 101

https://cls.asu.edu/advising