This unique degree allows students advanced study in multiple disciplines and the chance to see the interconnectedness of those disciplines. In addition to the Graduate Division Admission requirements, students are asked to complete program specific admission requirements.
A minimum of 36 hours is required for the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program. Students are required to select two or three fields of study. It is recommended that at least 18 hours are completed in one of the fields of study and that a minimum of 9 is required for any additional field of study.
A maximum of 12 hours of transfer credits may be applied toward an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies when completed as a 36 hour degree, with transfer hours not exceeding the 1/3 limit for each concentration. For example, with an 18-hour concentration, 6 hours could be accepted, and with a 9-hour concentration, just 3 hours would be permitted. When completed as a 30-hour degree, transfer credits would be limited to 6 hours, with the 1/3 cap applied to each discipline as mentioned above. All transfer hours must be approved by program faculty and the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies with regard to content and requested hours.
Cap on M.A. Interdisciplinary Degrees
It is recommended that students who want to receive several M.A. degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies limit this to just two. A student wishing to exceed this cap would be required to 1) complete the standard Letter of Intent and 2) write a letter of petition requesting to exceed this cap to the Chair of interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu.
Further, only one graduate certificate is permitted beyond the two M.A. degrees within the department, unless petitioned. This degree can be completed through face-to-face courses, online courses, or a combination of both formats. Participating departments, offering fields of study within the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program, are listed below. Please note that the availability of a given field of study varies across campus locations, including for students studying at a distance. If you are a fully online student, consult our website and the WNMU Online Programs web resources for available concentrations (not all programs are available online, but the list continues to grow).
It is important that students communicate with the appropriate advisor in each field of study prior to taking courses in order to plan their course of study and satisfy program specific admission requirements. Any specified course prerequisites should be discussed with the field advisor and/or course instructor. The M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program may or may not prepare the student for licensure or certification in the chosen fields.
As part of admission into the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies Program, students are required to complete the following:
Letter of Intent
A Letter of Intent is required of all students seeking admission into the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program. This Letter of Intent should be submitted at the time of application (and no later than the end of the student’s “conditional admit” term) and should be sent electronically to interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu. This letter of intent should address the following issues in a 4-page (minimum), typed essay (Microsoft Word or pdf format preferred) using the following clear sections:
- Student Contact Information
- Previous educational and professional experiences. Please note, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies can provide the student with information and assistance if they are intending to transfer graduate credits to the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program;
- Description of how the degree suits the student’s educational goals;
- Learning objectives for the degree and fields of study;
- Other relevant personal information.
Once received, this Letter of Intent will be shared with faculty in the student’s identified areas of study. The Letter of Intent will be reviewed and assessed for completeness, graduate-level writing and sophistication of ideas and expression by both representatives of Interdisciplinary Studies and those program areas. The student will receive feedback and his or her admission status will be updated accordingly.
Mid-Point Self-Reflection Essay
This essay should address the following issues in a 5-page (minimum), typed document. Before starting your essay, it is essential to contact interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu for the current, detailed guidelines for this requirement. In summary, the essay requires the following sections:
- Student Contact Information;
- Thorough summary of courses taken to date with highlights of learning;
- Personal interdisciplinary connections being made;
- Plan for future courses;
- Continued interest in program and alignment of degree with goals.
This mid-point, self-reflection essay will be assessed on a “completed, meets request as outlined” or “completed” basis by the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies, in consultation with programmatic faculty when appropriate.
Exit Requirement:
As part of the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program, the student is required to complete a comprehensive exit. The student may consider an interdisciplinary thesis or our interdisciplinary self-reflective essay. Students who complete the thesis across all fields are encouraged to enroll in 6 hours of thesis credits (3 hrs for each 2 fields). Those who elect to complete a thesis focused in just one discipline are advised to complete 3 hours of thesis credits and are still required to complete the comprehensive self-reflective essay. Thesis guidelines must be followed for successful completion.
The Interdisciplinary Self-Reflection Exit Essay addresses the connection between the 2 or 3 fields of study. This Interdisciplinary Exit Essay will require a 10 page (minimum) typed paper including a summary and reflection on the items listed below. The exit must be completed in the semester in which the student intends to graduate, or within one year of completing all of the requirements of the degree, and should be e-mailed to interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu. This project will be assessed on a “completed, meets request as outlined” or “not completed” basis by the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies, in consultation with programmatic faculty, if applicable. Students are permitted just one re-write of this comprehensive exit essay. The essay must meet expectation of graduate-level writing and sophistication of thought. The essay should be submitted for review no later than three weeks prior to the graduation date (commencement) on which the student wishes to have the degree conferred. Any late essays may cause a one-semester delay in graduation.
Each of the following must be addressed:
- Contact Information;
- Course highlights, including review of substantial learning, organized by concentration area;
- Interdisciplinary reflection connecting all fields of study;
- Reflection on how the degree met educational, professional, and personal goals.
- Description of short and long term goals for the future, as they relate to the completion of this M.A. degree.
Before starting your essay, it is essential to contact interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu for the current, detailed guidelines for this requirement.
More information can be obtained about the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies on our webpage, interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu.
All general inquiries should be addressed to our M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies student support personnel at interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu or by phone at 575-538- 6650.
Colleges Offering Graduate Level Coursework for the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Arts & Sciences, College of
Expressive Arts, Department of
Art (ART)
Humanities, Department of
English (ENGL)
Philosophy (PHIL)
Writing (WRTG)
Mathematics & Computer Science, Department of
Mathematics (MATH)
Natural Sciences, Department of
Biology (BIOL)
Social Sciences, Department of
History (HIST)
Latino and Latin American Studies (LALS)
Political Science (POLS)
Social Science
Sociology (SOC)
Professional Studies, College of
Business, School of
Business Administration (BSAD)
Business Management (BSAD)
Economics (ECON)
Management Information Systems (MIS)
Education, School of
Bilingual Education (BLED)
Counseling (COUN)
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Educational Leadership
Elementary Education (EDUC)
Instructional Technology & Design (ITD)
Reading Education (RDG)
Secondary Education (EDUC)
Special Education (SPED)
Nursing & Kinesiology, School of
Kinesiology (KINS)
Nursing (NUR)
Behavioral Sciences, Department of
Chemical Dependency Counseling (CHDP)
Criminal Justice (CJUS)
Psychology (PSY)
Program Specific Admission and Graduation Requirements
Arts & Sciences, College of
Note: Additional details about exits may be requested from interdisciplinary@wnmu.edu.
Expressive Arts, Department of
The Expressive Arts Department offers curriculum support for the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program in the field of Art. The visual arts graduate program requires a BA/BS or BFA degree in Art or any other field with an art minor equivalent to WNMU’s 23 credit art minor or prospective students may petition for an exception to this requirement. Each graduate Art student, once admitted, must select an advisor in his or her area of studio concentration. Students admitted into the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program may be eligible to apply for a Graduate Assistantship in the McCray Gallery.
Humanities, Department of
This department has no additional admission requirements beyond those of the WNMU Graduate Division.
Mathematics & Computer Science, Department of
Applicants should have a grade of at least a B in MATH 312 (Computational Linear Algebra), and MATH 323 Differential Equations, or equivalent courses from an accredited college or university. There is a current need and desire for k-12 and community college teachers to become “highly qualified” by taking 18 hours in a discipline at the graduate level.
Natural Sciences, Department of
The Natural Sciences Department offers curriculum support to students who are interested in focusing on Biology or other areas in the Natural Sciences Department. For graduate admission in Biology, students must have a B.A./B.S. in Biology or a closely related field, or a B.A./B.S. degree in another field and sufficient preparatory coursework in biological sciences as determined by the program advisor. Students will select a member of the full-time Natural Science faculty who will agree to serve as their advisor. Prior to enrolling in graduate coursework, graduate students must secure a degree plan signed by their advisor. A minimum of 18 credit hours in Biology and/or Natural Science courses is recommended.
Social Sciences, Department of
This department has no additional admission requirements beyond those of the WNMU Graduate Division.
Professional Studies, College of Business
This school has no additional admission requirements beyond those of the WNMU Graduate Division.
Professional Studies, School of Education
The School of Education requires a specific program application process for admission into any School of Education field of study. All application materials (specified below) must be submitted as one complete packet to the School of Education advisor(s). This application packet is reviewed by the Advanced Programs Committee of the School of Education. After the committee reviews the application, the student is notified of acceptance or denial into the desired field(s) of study within the School of Education. Upon acceptance, the student works with her or his advisor in the designated field(s) of study to create a degree plan. It is recommended that the application process be completed and the student obtain acceptance before beginning graduate courses within the School of Education. Both the application process and the degree plan must be completed by the end of the first semester of graduate work.
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Program Application for the School of Education includes the following:
- Data and Tracking Form, completed, form provided
- Criminal Record Disclosure Form, completed and signed, form provided
- Three letters of recommendation, using forms provided
- Writing sample of 2-3 pages, Topic: “Why I want a Master of Arts in _____?
- Current Résumé
- Teacher Licensure Number Form (if applicable), completed and signed, form provided
- Additional program specific admissions forms, as required
- (Note: Any field experience course will have additional requirements)
Application packets (including appropriate forms) are available from the School of Education.
Behavioral Sciences, Department of
This department has no additional admission requirements beyond those of the WNMU Graduate Division.
Criminal Justice and Chemical Dependency Counseling Concentrations: A two hour written comprehensive exam is required for a student who is completing nine hours of Criminal Justice or Chemical Dependency Counseling coursework; a four hour exam is required for a student who is completing 18 hours of Criminal Justice or Chemical Dependency Counseling coursework. The exam question(s) will integrate concepts from across the spectrum of courses taken by the student.
The comprehensive exam must be completed no later than one semester following the completion of coursework. The student must notify his/her academic advisor by the end of the eighth week in the semester that he/she intends to complete the comprehensive exam. If the student doesn’t reside in the Silver City area, the student is responsible for identifying a proctor and obtaining approval of the proctor from the student’s academic advisor. This must be completed by the end of the eighth week in the semester. If the student takes the comprehensive exam in the summer, notification to the advisor, and selection and approval of a proctor (if applicable) must be completed by the beginning of the summer session. The exam should be administered no later than four weeks prior to the end of the semester.
Comprehensive exams are graded on a pass/fail basis. The grader will provide written feedback if the student fails the exam. A student is allowed to re-take the exam once. New examination question(s) will be written and the test will be re-administered within four weeks of notification to the student that he/she failed the first attempt.
A student taking an 18 hour emphasis in Criminal Justice or Chemical Dependency Counseling may choose a thesis option. Three credit hours of thesis may be counted towards the 18 hours of Criminal Justice or Chemical Dependency Counseling coursework. Procedures for selecting a thesis topic and a thesis committee are contained in the “Thesis Option” section of the catalog.
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