Create a Customized Course of Study
The Interdisciplinary Scholars minor opens doors to multiple areas of inquiry and study within the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences curriculum. Enrich your learning experience by designing your own interdisciplinary pathway and applying the knowledge and methodologies you develop to complex issues.
You’ll examine methods, theories and concepts across diverse fields of study, with an emphasis on three pillars: Global Understanding and Perspectives, Social Justice and Diversity, and Critical Thinking. This framework provides unique insights into the multifaceted and critical issues commonly addressed by behavioral and social science disciplines.
Why choose an Interdisciplinary Scholars minor?
Making connections between different concepts is essential in an interdisciplinary curriculum. Studying this way gives you the opportunity to:
- Collaborate with a faculty mentor to develop individualized coursework that targets your interests.
- Enhance your expertise in your major and how it relates to other disciplines.
- Apply your learning in a variety of contexts and effectively communicate what you know.
- Generate new knowledge across different subjects. Integrating the wisdom of multiple fields of study can advance your awareness of the world and lead to more effective solutions to local and global problems.
- Connect with expert faculty and professionals from a range of fields and disciplines.
- Develop important transferable skills, including critical thinking, communication, analysis, and interdisciplinary thought and understanding.
Explore Details About the Interdisciplinary Scholars Minor
Program Requirements:
- Completion of six Interdisciplinary Scholars program courses in residence, across three distinct disciplines, including the student’s major.
- Complete at least one course from each of the three designated areas of emphasis: Global Understanding and Perspectives; Social Justice and Diversity; and Critical Thinking.
- Maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or better across all Interdisciplinary Scholars courses, with a minimum grade of B in each course.
- Complete IBSS 4350 Interdisciplinary Research Methods course and a research project under the direction of a program advisor.
- Present a final thesis at the Behavioral and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Scholars Symposium.
Eligibility:
- You must be a full-time undergraduate student.
- You must be a current sophomore or junior with 30 hours of coursework completed or a transfer student with a minimum of 15 hours completed at St. Edward’s.
- You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
You may choose your major and minor courses from three Behavioral and Social Sciences areas of study:
- Criminal Justice
- Environmental Science and Policy
- Global Studies
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
You’ll deepen knowledge in your primary major by applying new insights, skills and methodologies from two additional Behavioral and Social Sciences disciplines.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage applicants to discuss their Interdisciplinary Scholars program course plans with their academic advisor before registration.
For course descriptions, view the current .
As a student in this program, you’ll create an interdisciplinary selection of courses and a final research project that match your educational and career goals.
Get ready to refine your research skills as you develop your interdisciplinary research project with the guidance of a member of the Behavioral and Social Sciences faculty. You’ll collect, read and analyze professional literature, collect data in the field, and utilize new and innovative software to sharpen your analysis. The project culminates in an oral presentation of research in the St. Edward’s Interdisciplinary Scholars Symposium.
Recent student projects have included political extremism in Southeastern Europe, climate migration in Central America, criminal justice reform in Texas, and innovative substance abuse treatments.
Student projects are highly individualized. You’ll develop significant research design experience through working closely with your faculty mentor, as well as faculty from the contributing disciplines, to determine the best research methodologies.
Recent projects have included experiences such as:
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposals, including completing the .
- Focus groups, including designing, implementing and evaluating data collected.
- Archival research, both on campus and in the Austin area.
- Oral histories and interviews that include identifying subjects, preparing questions and interpreting results.
- Data collection and analysis using appropriate statistical models.
Are you interested in applying for the Fulbright program, pursuing graduate studies in the social sciences or working in areas of policy research and development? The interdisciplinary research methods you’ll experience in this minor are ideal preparation for these opportunities and more.
Past students who have completed this minor are working in government, including the City of Austin and the State of Texas, and in nonprofit organizations.