The Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program is a unique opportunity for students to construct their own major or minor. IDS students work with CUC faculty to combine existing courses in new combinations to achieve their academic and professional goals.

An Interdisciplinary Studies program must meet the following criteria:

  • The proposed major must be a minimum of 33 semester hours and a maximum of 40 semester hours. 
  • Half of the major must consist of courses from a single academic program.
  • Your major may have courses from no more than four academic programs.
  • Half the credit hours of your major must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
  • Your major must include a three-hour senior capstone project as an Independent Study course or a Senior Seminar from one of the disciplines included in the IDS major.

Students may also choose to construct an Interdisciplinary Studies Minor. The criteria are:

  • The proposed minor must be a minimum of 21 semester hours and a maximum of 30 semester hours.
  • The proposed minor may have courses from no more than three academic programs. 
  • The minor must have at least four courses at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Students have the freedom to construct their own major or minor, but CUC faculty and students have suggested drawing courses from the following combinations of programs:

Christian Ministry

  • Hispanic Ministry: Theology and Spanish
  • Ministry and Markets: Theology and Business
  • Ministry of Care: Theology and Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work
  • Pre-Seminary Preparation: History and Classical Liberal Studies
  • Liturgical Music: Theology and Music
  • Liturgical Art: Theology and Art

Arts

  • Digital Media Design: Art, Communication, and/or Marketing
  • Songwriting: Music and English
  • Writing for Theater: Theater and Creative Writing or Theater and Music

Humanities

  • Writing and Publishing: English and Marketing
  • The History of Politics: History and Political Science
  • The History of Thought: History and Philosophy

Sciences

  • Medical Management: Nursing and Healthcare Administration
  • Healing Diverse Populations: Nursing and Spanish
  • Business Tech: Computer Science and Business

Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Forensic Science: Criminal Justice and Psychology
  • Political Advocacy: Political Science and Communications
  • Modern Society: Sociology and Political Science

Business

  • The Fitness Business: Exercise Science and Business or Management
  • Global Sales: Business and Spanish
  • Modern Marketing: Psychology and Marketing 

To apply for an Interdisciplinary Major or Minor:

  1. Identify a faculty member to serve as your IDS advisor. This faculty member should be in one of the programs included in the proposed major or minor.
  2. Complete either the IDS Major Proposal Form or the IDS Minor Proposal Form and forward to David Bates, IDS Program Leader, at david.bates@cuchicago.edu. The proposed major/minor will be reviewed and approved by the IDS Program Committee.
  3. Once the major/minor is approved, submit the Program Change Form. For more information, contact Prof. David Bates, IDS Program Leader, at david.bates@cuchicago.edu.