Interdisciplinary Studies (MA) - Non-Thesis

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MA) - Non-Thesis program at UCF offers students the flexibility to design a personalized plan of study, combining courses from various disciplines to create a unique area of expertise. The program requires 33 credit hours, including required courses, elective concentrations, and a capstone experience, preparing students for applied, non-research oriented careers that require a multidisciplinary approach. Students benefit from independent learning opportunities and expert guidance from three capstone advisers, one from each concentration area and one from a supporting discipline.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MA) - Non-Thesis program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) offers students the flexibility to design a personalized plan of study. This program is ideal for individuals with diverse interests who want to connect their knowledge through a common theme or goal.

• Objectives: The program aims to help students:
• Develop an individually tailored plan of study using courses traditionally associated with a Master of Arts (Humanities, Social Sciences, Communication, etc.).
• Combine a variety of concentrations.
• Prepare for applied, non-research oriented careers.
• Define their own area of expertise by combining knowledge from two disciplines.

Outline:

• Program Structure:
• The program requires a total of 33 credit hours.
• It consists of:
• Required Courses (9 credits):
• IDS 6308 - Ways of Knowing (3 credits)
• A critical thinking and writing course in one of the chosen concentrations or in an area that supports the plan of study (3 credits)
• A research methods course in one of the chosen concentrations or in an area that supports the plan of study (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (24 credits):
• Students take a minimum of 24 credit hours of electives, including two concentrations of 9 credit hours each of restricted electives and 6 credit hours of unrestricted electives.
• The unrestricted electives can be from either concentration or additional areas that support the capstone project or intended use of the degree.
• Students who choose one of the pre-approved concentrations such as Diversity and Inclusion or Project Management can choose courses from those course listings on the UCF website.
• Course and concentration selections are done in consultation with and with approval from the program director or academic coordinator.
• Coursework must be selected so that at least 50 percent of credit hours in the program is taken at the 6000 level.
• Capstone (0 credits):
• Students choose to complete a project, an internship, or a written comprehensive examination as their capstone experience.
• The capstone project should reflect a combination of the two concentrations in the degree by finding an applied policy area, special topic, or issue that crosses both areas.
• Some examples of project types include: writing a grant proposal for an agency, program evaluation and recommendations, or a "best practices" literature review in a particular area.
• Students must choose three advisers for the project, one from each concentration area and one from any supporting discipline.
• The project will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
• Students who feel an internship will best support their plan of study and professional goals will enroll in IDS 5949 Co-op Interdisciplinary Study (0 credits) and IDS 6949 Co-op Interdisciplinary Study (3 credits) after locating an acceptable internship host site, with the approval of the program coordinator.
• The written examination will entail the selection of an exam committee of three faculty who will formulate questions to address both concentration areas.
• The student will have 48 hours to choose 2 of the 3 questions and complete the take-home exam.
• The exam should be completed in the student’s final semester of enrollment.
• The exam will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
• If the student does not pass both questions with a 70% or higher, the student will have two additional chances to retake the exam with new questions.
• The exam can be taken only once per semester.
• If the student must retake the exam, the student must enroll in IDS 6999 Graduation Requirement to remain active in the program.
• Independent Learning (0 credits):
• The program is designed to provide numerous independent learning opportunities.
• The required methods course will introduce students to research methodology that they will apply to independent research/capstone work.
• IDS 6308 acquaints students with interdisciplinarity through the use of student-driven analyses, discussions, and presentations.
• The required critical thinking and writing course involves students in verbal and written discussions, analyses, and critiques of work they create and from the published literature.
• Additionally, the completion of the capstone experience will require independent learning that will be evaluated by faculty in the specified disciplines.

Assessment:

• Capstone Project: Evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
• Internship: Evaluated by the internship host site and the program coordinator.
• Written Comprehensive Examination: Graded on a pass/fail basis.
• Faculty: The program requires students to choose three advisers for their capstone project: one from each concentration area and one from any supporting discipline.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes independent learning and student-driven analyses, discussions, and presentations.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: The program prepares students for applied, non-research oriented careers.
• Outcomes: The program aims to help students define their own area of expertise and prepare for careers that require a combination of knowledge from different disciplines.

Other:

• Financial Assistance: Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans.
• Fellowship Information: Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students.
They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation.