2026-2027

Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Department of Sociology

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This undergraduate program offers students a unique academic opportunity to complete degrees tailored to their interests. Students combine any two existing minors, potentially develop a unique individualized minor, or combine one minor and one undergraduate certificate to create a major that aligns with their career goals.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

     

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 39 - 55 units of major requirements comprised of two minors, or one minor and one undergraduate certificate.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
University Honors Program Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) offers students a unique academic opportunity to complete degrees tailored to their interests. Students combine any two existing minors, potentially develop a unique individualized minor, or combine one minor and one undergraduate certificate to create a major that aligns with their career goals. BIS offers a flexible, practical way to consolidate credits, rework degree plans, and graduate on time. It's accessible to in-person and online students, including transfer students and those with certificate credits. BIS graduates come from all disciplines and use their degrees to pursue careers across a wide range of fields.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate practical interdisciplinary research skills applicable to real-world settings by addressing, through integrative inquiry, a complex problem or multi-faceted challenge.
  • Demonstrate interdisciplinary or industry-related critical thinking by honing disciplinary-specific structural knowledge, including analytic and ethical reasoning.
  • Demonstrate interdisciplinary knowledge through project outcomes that combine perspectives from different fields or apply problem-solving skills relevant to career readiness.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • Admission to the Interdisciplinary Studies, BIS plan.
    • 60 units of college-level coursework successfully completed or in-progress.
    • This degree is not eligible as a dual, second, or post-baccalaureate degree.
Major Requirements

  • This major requires 39 - 55 units distributed as follows:

    • Common Course Requirements: 6 units
    • Minor(s) and/or Certificate Requirement: 33 - 49 units
      • Two Minors: 36 - 48 units
        • Minor One: 18 - 24 units
        • Minor Two: 18 - 24 units
      • One Minor and One Undergraduate Certificate: 33 - 49 units
        • Minor: 18 - 24 units
        • Undergraduate Certificate: 15 - 25 units

     

    Take the following 39 - 55 units:

  • Common Course Requirements (6 units)

    • BUS 350W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
    • BUS 460C which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)

  • Minor(s) and/or Certificate Requirement - Select one option (33 - 49 units)

    • Two Minors (36 - 48 units)

      • Select two minors from those offered at NAU (36 - 48 units)
        • Minor One: 18 - 24 units
        • Minor Two: 18 - 24 units

       

      One minor can be the Individualized Minor, Minor if approved by the Steering Committee.

    • One Minor and One Undergraduate Certificate (33 - 49 units)

      • Select one Minor and one Undergraduate Certificate (33 - 49 units)
        • Minor (18 - 24 units)
        • Undergraduate Certificate (15 - 25 units)
General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Advising is housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.