Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Multidisciplinary Studies B.A.

CCAPS Individualized Degrees
College of Continuing and Professional Studies
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2019
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 50
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Founded in 2006 in response to the growing demand for high quality pathways to degree completion, multidisciplinary studies (MdS) embodies the University of Minnesota's commitment to individualized undergraduate education by providing returning adult learners with access to cross-college, individualized degree options. Drawing upon the curricular offerings of most of the University's colleges and departments, students design a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degree incorporating coursework from three of five multidisciplinary areas. Multidisciplinary studies degree areas include applied, technical, and professional; arts and humanities; communications; history and social science; and science and health science. MdS students begin their journey to degree completion in a credit-based degree planning seminar in which they discern a degree plan which reflects their professional and personal goals. MdS is intended to serve returning adult learners with a minimum of a two-year gap in their pursuit of higher education and who value the challenge and rewards of individualized education. Interested students are encouraged to attend an information session held multiple times per month. Academic advisers provide a detailed introduction to the program and help students begin the planning process. A growing number of courses are available online and students may have the option of completing the MdS degree completely online. For further information on multidisciplinary studies, visit https://ccaps.umn.edu/multidisciplinary-studies-bachelors-degree
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
Students must complete 50 credits before admission to the program.
Transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status before admission to this major.
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
  • 2.50 already admitted to the degree-granting college
  • 2.50 transferring from another University of Minnesota college
  • 2.50 transferring from outside the University
Students with 30-49 transferable credits, GPA of 2.5, and strong interest in the major may be admitted to pre-major status. Admission is based on GPA, grade trends, performance in relevant coursework, and demonstrated ability to meet expectations of individualized undergraduate education. Students must have attended an information session and an advising appointment. Preferred program match factors include • A 2-year break in pursuit of a degree (need not be continuous) • A heavy, though not necessarily exclusive, reliance on evening and online/distance learning (ODL) coursework At a timely point after admission, students must enroll in MDS 3001W: Intro to Multidisciplinary Studies, a 3-credit course, to develop a written proposal with a rationale for the degree plan. When the instructor has determined that the proposal is complete, it is submitted to a review committee for approval. At that point, the student achieves major status.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Multidisciplinary Studies Language and Culture Requirement
Students are required to complete 12 semester credits of coursework dedicated to languages and/or cultures other than the student's native language or culture. Speak with a program adviser for more information.
Multidisciplinary Studies Oral Communication Requirement
ABUS 4023W - Communicating for Results [WI] (3.0 cr)
or COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking [CIV] (3.0 cr)
or COMM 1313W - Analysis of Argument [WI] (3.0 cr)
or COMM 3411 - Introduction to Small Group Communication (3.0 cr)
or COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing [WI] (3.0 cr)
or BA 3033W - Business Communication [WI] (3.0 cr)
or WRIT 3257 - Technical and Professional Presentations (3.0 cr)
or Equivalent
Upper Division Writing Intensive Requirement
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· MDS 3001W - Introduction to Multidisciplinary Studies [WI] (3.0 cr)
· ABUS 4023W - Communicating for Results [WI] (3.0 cr)
· COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing [WI] (3.0 cr)
· BA 3033W - Business Communication [WI] (3.0 cr)
Multidisciplinary Studies Requirements
Note: Students must complete a minimum of 50 upper division credits for this degree program. Courses taken for above requirements may sometimes count toward this 50-credit minimum.
MDS 3001W - Introduction to Multidisciplinary Studies [WI] (3.0 cr)
Must have min of 50 upper div cr for major & include min of 15 upper div cr in each area. Students choose coursework from at least two of following areas: arts & humanities; communication; or hist & soc sci; and may choose coursework from third area: applied, tech, & prof; or science & health sci
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Continuing and Professional Studies

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2021
· Fall 2020

View sample plan(s):
· Multidisciplinary Studies - Consult with MdS advisor to develop program

View checkpoint chart:
· Multidisciplinary Studies B.A.
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ABUS 4023W - Communicating for Results (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Aspects of communication essential for being persuasive/influential. Organizing/presenting ideas effectively, strategies for audience analysis, choosing communication methods, making appropriate use of informal influence methods, handling dissent. Processes for intercultural communication. prereq: 45 cr completed
COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking (CIV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Comm 1101/Comm 1101H/PSTL 1461
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Public communication processes, elements, and ethics. Criticism of and response to public discourse. Practice in individual speaking designed to encourage civic participation.
COMM 1313W - Analysis of Argument (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Strategies for analyzing, evaluating, generating arguments. Problems in listening/responding to argument.
COMM 3411 - Introduction to Small Group Communication
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Cooperative thinking in task-oriented groups. Planning, preparing for, and participating in small groups in private and public contexts.
COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Performance/composition with critical inquiry into rhetoric theories. Writing, thinking, and speaking skills. prereq: 1101, soph
BA 3033W - Business Communication (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BA 3033W/Mgmt 3033W/IBUS 3033W
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
This course teaches strategies and skills to communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact in business settings. Students develop their abilities in critical thinking (analyzing data, audience, purpose, and context) and craft (honing skills in storytelling, persuasion, writing, diction, tone, presence, data visualization, and visual design). They learn to navigate ambiguity, evaluate the needs of internal and external stakeholders, and communicate solutions to complex business problems. The course is performance- and project-based. Students produce professional-level memos, emails, and research-based proposal decks. They deliver multiple presentations (individual and team) and learn to communicate effectively with data. Students will meet with the instructor in small groups outside of class time for one scheduled lab session. The course culminates in the Case Study Competition where student teams apply their knowledge to address a real challenge from one of our industry partners. prereq: First Year Writing, Carlson School junior or senior.
WRIT 3257 - Technical and Professional Presentations
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: OPT No Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
In this course students develop oral presentation skills for technical or professional topics. Areas of study in the course include visual communication, audience analysis, presentation strategies, and presentation of complex research material. The course emphasizes use of digital technologies. Recommend that students take Comm 1101 or equivalent first
MDS 3001W - Introduction to Multidisciplinary Studies (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
University study at a major research institution, its history/theory and expectations/outcomes. Students design their degree and select areas/courses. Institutional/student perspectives. prereq: Admitted to multidisciplinary studies
ABUS 4023W - Communicating for Results (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Aspects of communication essential for being persuasive/influential. Organizing/presenting ideas effectively, strategies for audience analysis, choosing communication methods, making appropriate use of informal influence methods, handling dissent. Processes for intercultural communication. prereq: 45 cr completed
COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Performance/composition with critical inquiry into rhetoric theories. Writing, thinking, and speaking skills. prereq: 1101, soph
BA 3033W - Business Communication (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BA 3033W/Mgmt 3033W/IBUS 3033W
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
This course teaches strategies and skills to communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact in business settings. Students develop their abilities in critical thinking (analyzing data, audience, purpose, and context) and craft (honing skills in storytelling, persuasion, writing, diction, tone, presence, data visualization, and visual design). They learn to navigate ambiguity, evaluate the needs of internal and external stakeholders, and communicate solutions to complex business problems. The course is performance- and project-based. Students produce professional-level memos, emails, and research-based proposal decks. They deliver multiple presentations (individual and team) and learn to communicate effectively with data. Students will meet with the instructor in small groups outside of class time for one scheduled lab session. The course culminates in the Case Study Competition where student teams apply their knowledge to address a real challenge from one of our industry partners. prereq: First Year Writing, Carlson School junior or senior.
MDS 3001W - Introduction to Multidisciplinary Studies (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
University study at a major research institution, its history/theory and expectations/outcomes. Students design their degree and select areas/courses. Institutional/student perspectives. prereq: Admitted to multidisciplinary studies