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Multidisciplinary Studies
BA, BS

On-campus Major Interdisciplinary

Design your own major

The multidisciplinary studies (MDS) program offers a flexible and creative approach to your education, allowing you to pursue exactly what you’re interested in. Multidisciplinary studies students can combine coursework from two or three disciplines to design their own program of study with the help of faculty advisors. 

Examples of student-designed majors

  • World building (game design, history, and philosophy)
  • Math as a Black student (Black studies and mathematics)
  • Global healthcare and aging (nursing, aging and health, global health)
  • Connecting music and writing (music and English)
  • Health sciences (nursing and global health)
  • Merging nursing and Black studies (nursing and Black studies)

Eligibility

After you complete at least one semester (15 credits) at UMass Dartmouth, you may change your major to multidisciplinary studies. Students are required to have a GPA of at least 2.5. The earlier a program of study is designed, the greater the flexibility in scheduling the required courses.

If you are applying to UMassD and are interested in pursuing multidisciplinary studies, please contact the Director of Multidisciplinary Studies. We encourage interested students to apply as a liberal arts major and work with the Program Director to develop a program of study during their first semester.

Earn a BA or BS

Students may earn a BA or a BS degree depending on how the program is designed. Classes, studios, and laboratories from any of the UMassD colleges may be included as part of the program of study.

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

  • Internships: gain experience by pursuing internships in your areas of academic and professional interest
  • Research: investigate a specialized area of study while working with faculty advisors
  • Study online: take advantage of the latest learning technologies through blended and fully online courses

Frequently asked questions

As a new student, you will not have the option to apply directly to MDS. Instead, select the liberal arts major or the major closest to your interests. Once you've completed 15 credits, you can change your major to MDS.

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Yes, you can design an MDS program that incorporates previously earned credits from another institution to finish your degree. MDS students can complete their academic journey with a customized program that fits their career goals and utilizes credits they've already earned, provided that you complete at least 21 credits of upper-division coursework at UMassD.

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Yes, Honors students can be multidisciplinary studies majors. Honors students often find MDS's customizable course of study to be beneficial towards their research goals.

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Your diploma will indicate a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies or a BS in Multidisciplinary Studies.

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Yes, students can combine their MDS major with a variety of minors on campus. 

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Students who select the MDS major can complete their degree requirements in four years of full-time study.

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The key difference between the two programs is the types of courses that are required to meet the major requirements. The BS requires students to complete advanced coursework in science, mathematics, and/or engineering courses. Students completing the BA have greater flexibility in completing their major requirements. 

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To start your journey to a self-designed major, contact the Director of Multidisciplinary Studies.

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MDS proposals are typically two to three pages long.

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Like all other UMassD studies, MDS majors must complete the University Studies requirements. In addition, MDS majors must complete the college requirements of at least one of the UMass Dartmouth colleges. This is typically the college in which you undertake the majority of your MDS coursework.

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