The IIM is available to students who wish to study a multidisciplinary field of concentration that is not provided by one of the current majors or multidisciplinary concentrations of the college. The student will design the IIM around a topic, theme, issue, or set of questions that cannot be adequately addressed within a single existing major. Students are recommended to look for interdisciplinary programs at other institutions as models or interdisciplinary study recommended by graduate or professional programs. Students can submit a proposal for an IIM after the completion of the first year and before the second semester of the junior year. The major will include a minimum of 11 courses and a maximum of 14 courses including a senior project. The course list should include options that allow for changes in course availability.

The course list must contain

• no more than 4 100-level courses,
• at least 4 300-level courses,
• no more than 2 independent studies, not including the senior project,
• and the courses must span at least two academic departments.

No more than 4 courses may be counted as part of the IIM and any other major or minor. Other requirements common to all majors (minimum GPA, etc.) also apply to the IIM.

A senior project is required as a capstone experience for the IIM. The student, in consultation with the student-chosen advisory board, will design the senior project, which must be appropriate for the field of study. Possibilities include advanced readings in the field, undergraduate research, performance or internship.

To propose an IIM, students must have a strong academic record demonstrated by a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must also request two letters of recommendation from faculty or staff to demonstrate seriousness of purpose and an ability to work independently and in dialogue with faculty advisors.

The Interdisciplinary Studies (IDSt) Program faculty will consists of 3 faculty members, one of which will be the director of the program, representing 3 divisions of the college. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty will serve as a committee that will advise students on the development of student-chosen advisory boards and completion of IIM proposals and will review, but not approve, proposals to pass on to the EPCC for final approval. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty will serve as a department for students pursuing an IIM, signing graduation applications, petitions and other documents requiring department chair review.

Students will choose, in consultation with the Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty, a group of faculty advisors representing at least two of the departments from which courses for the Independent IIM will be chosen. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty will provide students advice on procedures and the development of the IIM proposal, and the student-chosen advisory board will provide advice on the focus or theme of the IIM, the choice of courses and the nature of the senior project.

Approval procedure:

1. The student consults with the Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty on choosing an advisory board and developing a proposal.
    
2. With support from the student-chosen advisory board, the student develops a title of the IIM, a set of courses, including options to allow for changes in course offerings, and the nature of the senior project.
    
3. The student submits a proposal to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty including the title of the IIM, a list of required courses, description of the senior project, two letters of recommendation, and an explanation for how the proposed program will meet the student's educational goals and lead the student into a career or graduate school.
    
4. The Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty will review the proposals and advise the students on the development of a proposal, but will not approve the proposals. The proposal then goes to the Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) for final approval. The student, along with his or her advisory board, will have the opportunity to meet with the EPCC in support of the proposal.

After EPCC approval, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty can approve changes to the required courses of the IIM.