Feature Stories 2026: Students create their own majors through the multidisciplinary studies program

Multidisciplinary studies (MDS) students can design their own major by combining classes from across different colleges and programs to achieve their academic goals.

Two MDS students, Rachel Montrose '26 and Kol Tavares '27, created unique majors based on the classes they have already taken and the professional paths they want to pursue.

Like Montrose and Tavares, many students find the flexibility and customization offered by the MDS program to be hugely beneficial towards earning their degrees. Students work one on one with Program Director Robert Darst to plan their program and the required credits they need to earn their dream degree.

Creating your own major

Montrose combined courses that she had taken for her interior architecture and design major and sustainability minor to create her own program, which she titled "sustainable practices in interior architecture."

"Professor Darst and I looked at the credits I'd already earned and outlined everything I needed to do to create a new major. The MDS program is very flexible, and I love the ability to choose the required courses that I want to take and that fit into my schedule," she said.

Montrose's program includes classes from both the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the College of Arts and Sciences. "It's quite easy to combine coursework from two different colleges. Even though the MDS major is categorized under the College of Arts and Sciences, there are no limitations when choosing your classes as to which college they come from. I didn't have to jump through any hoops."

Tavares calls their major "intersectionality at its finest," which combines math, philosophy, and Black studies courses. "Working with Professor Darst on my MDS program has been great, because we work one on one to determine and achieve all my requirements. I love that I can organize my own schedule and combine the things I've already done with the things I want to do more of. The amount of control I have over my program is amazing," they said. 

"I love that I can organize my own schedule and combine the things I’ve already done with the things I want to do more of. The amount of control I have over my program is amazing."

Coursework that contributes to your goals

"My major is a perfect overlap of the things I've been doing and the things I want to pursue. That's the appeal of the MDS program; I already have strong math skills, and now I have the opportunity to improve my interpersonal and communication skills too," said Tavares, who plans to become a math teacher.

"Each of the disciplines in my major have their benefits and combining them creates a well-rounded program. They're already connected, but to make that connection more apparent is huge," they said.

Benefits of the MDS program

Many students find MDS's flexibility and personalization to be its biggest benefit. If a student wants to personalize their schedule, reimagine their requirements, or combine their areas of interest, the MDS major is a great alternative to predesigned programs.

Additionally, students can utilize the MDS major to help them graduate on time.

Due to being a transfer student, Montrose was behind on the graduation requirements for the interior architecture and design program. However, through the MDS major that she created, she will graduate a semester early. The personalized program she created utilizes her existing credits to meet the graduation requirements she needs.

"Professor Darst helped me design a program that not only let me graduate on time, but also finish a semester early. That was the best news I could have received. Now I can get a head start on applying for jobs," she said.

Learn more about the multidisciplinary studies program and find answers to frequently asked questions about the program.