Interdisciplinary Studies
Consider creating an Interdisciplinary Studies Program
An M.A./M.S. in interdisciplinary studies is an innovative and individualized program for students whose interests and academic goals are not satisfactorily attained through one of SFSU’s master's degrees programs. These individualized degrees provide an opportunity for students and faculty to design courses of study that are highly responsive to emerging fields of knowledge and practice.
Students interested in this program need to initiate a collaboration with faculty. Students need to develop a study plan that draws on courses from at least three disciplines from two SFSU colleges with the intent to integrate the concepts and perspectives of those disciplines into a focused central theme leading to new ways of looking at a subject, issues or problem relevant to a student's unique interests.
The courses applied toward the degree must be carefully selected for their interrelatedness and general applicability to the objectives of the unique program of study being proposed. The major advisor and Dean of Graduate Studies will determine if the degree designation will be an M.S. or M.A. This degree cannot be used to meet credential or licensing requirements.
The program must:
- Be compatible with the general mission and objectives of the University.
- Be based upon regular courses already offered in the University.
- Include 30-to-36-unit plan of study that draws on courses from at least three disciplines from two Colleges.
- Be supported by members of the faculty with expertise in the areas of study.
Application instructions
Identify your primary faculty advisor and two additional tenured or tenure-line faculty members at SF State campus who have the expertise and interest in advising and supporting you in the proposed program of study.
Email Khaled Ezzat, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Coordinator, at khaled@sfsu.edu to obtain the Proposed Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements form which is required for “Documents” section of this application.
Complete the “Documents,” “Recommendations” and “Questions” sections of Cal State Apply.
Admission Criteria
All applicants for an Interdisciplinary Studies master’s program must:
- Meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study as specified in the University Bulletin.
- Earned a 3.25 grade point average in their undergraduate degree or in the last 60 academic semester units taken prior to admission to Graduate Studies.
- Demonstrate English competency and proficiency before beginning the program, which can be met by earning a score of 4.5 or better on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) analytical writing section. (Students with a business background can substitute the GMAT analytical writing score of 4.5.) Students can also demonstrate English proficiency by completing a Writing intensive course. This course can be used to meet this requirement upon approval from the primary major advisor and the Division of Graduate Studies.
- Students may not use courses from fields of study such as nursing, physical therapy or counseling which lead to licensure or certification unless a single course is specifically authorized by the department chair.
- Identify and met with the primary faculty advisor and two additional tenured or tenure-line faculty members at SF State campus who have the expertise and interest in advising and supporting you in the proposed program of study. The advisor must be from a department that offers a graduate degree. Lecturer faculty may not serve on Interdisciplinary Studies committees because lecturer faculty may not be available each semester for advising.