The interdisciplinary studies degree option is a response to an increasing interest by students and faculty in an interdisciplinary approach to graduate study and scholarship. It is available to students who have been admitted to a master's degree program, but who have unique educational needs that cannot be met within a single degree program. It is limited to those areas in which sufficient faculty and adequate material resources exist to support the proposed course of study.

Any student who has been admitted to a master's degree program and who is interested in pursuing the interdisciplinary studies degree option may develop a proposal under the direction of a faculty advisory committee representing each program or major area of scholarship identified in the proposed interdisciplinary course of study. The course of study must be one that is not available through an existing program, must be at the level (i.e., master's or specialist) of the program to which the student has been admitted, and must combine at least two different graduate degree areas which offer the graduate degree at the master's or specialist level.

The faculty advisory committee must include a minimum of three members of the graduate faculty. Students submit petitions to the Graduate College in accordance with the "Petition for Interdisciplinary Degree Option Guidelines," which are available in the Graduate College. Petitions are reviewed by the graduate dean designate with input from appropriate members of the Graduate Council.

The transcript of the master's student pursuing the interdisciplinary degree option will designate the master's degree in the field of Interdisciplinary Studies, with a specialization noted in two or more areas.

An interdisciplinary program can be developed under either a Plan I (thesis supervised by interdepartmental committee) or Plan II (comprehensive examination or special project) basis.