department web page: www.uta.edu/ints/academics/grad.phpdepartment contact: ints@uta.edu graduate web page: www.uta.edu/ints/academics/grad.phpgraduate contact: www.uta.edu/ints/academics/grad.php
Allen F. Repko209 University Hall817.272.2338
Interdisciplinary StudiesM.A., M.S.
Thesis, Thesis Substitute, Non-Thesis
Allen F. Repko209 University Hall, 817.272.2338
The Graduate Faculty of The University of Texas at Arlington
The purpose of the graduate Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) degree is to allow individuals to pursue studies in multiple disciplines, to upgrade their formal education in their fields of specialization, and to develop professional skills. INDS is primarily intended for persons who have developed careers or vocations since the baccalaureate degree and who have clearly articulated academic and professional goals.
The Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) MA/MS program has temporarily suspended accepting new applications for admission or changes of program to enter INDS while the program structure and curriculum requirements are reevaluated. Students seeking readmission to the INDS program should consult the INDS Graduate Advisor before making application. Individuals currently admitted to the program will be able to continue to work toward their degrees. We anticipate accepting applications in the near future.
Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A. and M.S.) differs from other U.T. Arlington graduate programs in two ways: it is intended primarily for in-career professionals, and it stresses interdisciplinary curricula and scholarship. These differences are reflected in the admissions requirements for two items (see 2 and 3 below) not typically requested by other UT Arlington graduate programs. In reaching admissions decisions, all five criteria are considered together. No single factor will eliminate a prospective student from consideration.
In order for their applications to be processed, prospective students should submit all required materials and scores before Graduate School deadlines (i.e., official transcripts and GRE scores to the Graduate School; Professional Goal Statement, Tentative Program of Work, and recommendations to the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator).
Because of the differences between Interdisciplinary Studies and other graduate degree programs at U.T. Arlington and elsewhere, it is extremely important for prospective students to meet with the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator at least once BEFORE preparing their admissions materials.
If applicants meet any 4 of the 5 requirements for Unconditional Admission, then they can be granted Probationary Admission status. Students on academic probation must make no grade lower than a "B" in the first 12 hours of their graduate work in order to stay in the program.
Students who wish to pursue a graduate Interdisciplinary Studies degree, but do not have the necessary background to begin the course of study outlined in their Goals Statement and Program of Work, will be required to take from one to four undergraduate courses in which they can make no grade lower than a "B." These courses will not be counted for graduate credit; they will provide necessary backgrounds for pursuing the graduate degree.
If an applicant does not present adequate evidence of meeting requirements for Unconditional or Probationary Admission, the admission decision may be deferred. The student, in consultation with the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator, can resubmit revised material for reconsideration (for example, a rewritten Professional Goal Statement or improved GRE scores). To minimize the possibility of Deferred Admission and having to resubmit material, students should consult with the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator before applying. See the Graduate Catalog for more information on Deferred Admission.
Provisional admission to the graduate Interdisciplinary Studies program will rarely be granted. Applicants should submit all required materials before the deadline for admission.
Typically, failure to meet three or more of the requirements for Unconditional Admission will result in denial of admission.
The INDS student may select from three program options: 1) The Thesis option requires 24 semester hours of courses and 6 semester hours of thesis, INDS 5698, for a total of 30 semester hours. 2) The Thesis Substitute option requires 30 semester hours of coursework and 3 semester hours of Thesis Substitute, INDS 5393, in which the student demonstrates ability to integrate concepts from his or her major areas of coursework and apply these to a project. 3) The Non-Thesis option requires 36 semester hours of coursework. Both the Thesis Substitute and Non-Thesis options require the Master's Comprehensive Examination (INDS 5193) in the final semester.
Interdisciplinary Studies allows the student great flexibility in designing an academic program to meet specific professional and educational objectives. The primary emphasis is on the student's needs and aspirations.
Interdisciplinary Studies involves coursework in several departments or programs. The student's "Tentative Program of Work" is designed in consultation with the appropriate graduate faculty members of those departments or programs.
The student must complete work in at least two disciplines and may take courses in more than one of the schools or colleges of the University. The student's selection of coursework will be guided by the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator and the Academic Advisors in the departments or programs from which the coursework is taken. No more than 50 percent of the credit hours in a student's Program of Work may be taken in an area in which the University does not offer an advanced degree, or in the College of Business Administration.
There is no foreign language requirement. In appropriate cases, however, the Advisor/Coordinator may recommend that before graduation a student have or acquire competency in a language other than English.
A maximum of nine hours of advanced undergraduate (Junior/Senior level) coursework may be applied to a Program of Work for the purpose of this policy. Graduate foundation courses in the College of Business Administration are considered equivalent to advanced undergraduate courses and apply toward the nine-hour maximum.
At the beginning of the student's last semester of coursework, a supervising committee, composed of three members of the graduate faculty from whom the student has taken coursework, will be selected to conduct the Master's Comprehensive Examination or Thesis defense.
The diploma will state M.A. or M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and will not include the student's concentration. In addition, the Committee on Graduate Studies has adopted other policies which govern the general design and content of programs of work in interdisciplinary studies. Information about these policies should be requested from the Graduate Advisor.
The grade of R (research in progress) is a permanent grade; completing course requirements in a later semester cannot change it. To receive credit for an R-graded course, the student must continue to enroll in the course until a passing grade is received.
An incomplete grade (the grade of X) cannot be given in a course that is graded R, nor can the grade of R be given in a course that is graded X. To receive credit for a course in which the student earned an X, the student must complete the course requirements. Enrolling again in the course in which an X was earned cannot change a grade of X. At the discretion of the instructor, a final grade can be assigned through a change of grade form.
Three-hour thesis courses and three- and six-hour dissertation courses are graded R/F/W only (except social work thesis courses). The grade of P (required for degree completion for students enrolled in thesis or dissertation programs) can be earned only in six- or nine-hour thesis courses and nine-hour dissertation courses. In the course listings below, R-graded courses are designated either "Graded P/F/R" or "Graded R." Occasionally, the valid grades for a course change. Students should consult the appropriate Graduate Advisor or instructor for valid grade information for particular courses. (See also the sections titled "R" Grade, Credit for Research, Internship, Thesis or Dissertation Courses and Incomplete Grade in this catalog.)
INDS 5193. MASTER'S COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (1-0)Directed study, consultation, and comprehensive examination over coursework, leading to the Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.Graded F,P,R
INDS 5393. THESIS SUBSTITUTE In this independent study course the student must demonstrate the student's ability to integrate concepts from his or her major areas of coursework. Prerequisites: completion of 30 hours toward the INDS degree and, during the semester prior to enrollment, submission of a Thesis Substitute Proposal for approval by the instructor and the INDS Committee on Graduate Studies.Graded F,P,R
INDS 5398. THESIS Research and preparation pertaining to the master's thesis.Graded F,R
INDS 5698. THESIS Research and preparation pertaining to the master's thesis.Graded F,P,R
Table of Contents | Index | Schools & Colleges | Degrees & Requirements | General Info | Catalog Home | Graduate School