Portland-State-University 2023-2024 Bulletin

Interdisciplinary Studies: Arts and Letters, Liberal Studies, Science, Social Science

503-725-3822
Suite 360 Fariborz Maseeh Fall (FMH)

  • B.A., B.S. (Arts and Letters, Liberal Studies, Science, and Social Science)

Programs which are of an interdisciplinary nature and which do not conveniently fit within the normal department areas are listed under Interdisciplinary Studies and Liberal Studies.

Students interested in Interdisciplinary Studies will complete their major requirements by taking a concentration of courses in the arts and letters or science or social science academic areas. Students interested in all three categories (arts and letters, science, and social science) major in Liberal Studies by taking upper-division courses across all three categories.

Outside of the requirement that Interdisciplinary Studies and Liberal Studies students take Wr 323 or a Writing Intensive Course (WIC), there are no specific courses required for the Interdisciplinary Studies and Liberal Studies majors. To take full advantage of the opportunities afforded these majors, students should plan a program which includes a coherent set of courses providing an in-depth study in the area of special interest as well as providing enhancement of problem-solving and communication skills.

In addition to meeting all of the non-major and general education baccalaureate degree requirements, a student in the Arts and Letters, Science, or Social Science majors must complete 52 credits in one of the following areas: arts and letters or science or social science. A minimum of 32 of the 52 credits must be upper-division with at least 8 upper-division credits in each of two departments. In addition to 52 credits, all students in these majors must take Wr 323 or a Writing Intensive course for a total of 56 credits.

Students in the Liberal Studies major must complete all the non-major baccalaureate degree requirements with the exception of PSU’s University Studies requirements. In addition, 72 upper-division credits (including WR 323 or WIC course) from any of the subjects within the Arts and Letters, Science, or Social Science academic areas are required.