Interdisciplinary Studies Major

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Requirements
124 semester hours

The following degree requirements are from the current Franklin University Academic Bulletin. If you began your coursework before the current academic year, please contact your SSA for your degree requirements. Always confirm your degree requirements with your SSA.

Fundamental General Education Core (24 hours)
All courses must be at the 100 or 200 level

• Minimum of three semester hours of English Composition (if the course does not have a research paper component, COMM 130 Research Paper, two semester credits, is also required)
  Choose COMM 120 College Writing.
• Minimum of three semester hours of Mathematics (at least one mathematics or statistics course beyond the level of intermediate algebra)
  Choose from MATH 160 College Algebra, MATH 180 Applied Calculus, MATH 210 Finite Mathematics, MATH 220 Business Calculus, or MATH 215 Statistical Concepts.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Sciences (two science courses, with one having a laboratory component)
  Choose from the Science discipline.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences (which must be in at least two different disciplines)
  Choose from the Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology disciplines.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Arts and Humanities
  Choose from the Humanities discipline.

Additional General Education Requirements (26 hours)

• COMP 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)
• COMP 107* - Introduction to Web Authoring (1)
• ECON 210† - Introduction to Microeconomics (4)
    OR ECON 220† - Introduction to Macroeconomics (4)
• HUMN 210‡ - Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking Skills (2)
• HUMN 211‡ - Introduction to Ethical Analysis and Reasoning (2)
• IDST 100 - Introduction to Portfolio (1)
• HUMN 305 - Global Issues (4)
• MATH 215** - Statistical Concepts (4)
• PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)
• SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)
    OR COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)
• WEBD 117* - Graphic Editing Software (1)

*Only required for students who wish to take Fundamentals of Graphic Design (GRPH 210) and Advanced Graphic Design (GRPH 310) in the IDST core and Communications focus areas respectively.
**Select another General Education Elective if MATH 215 is used in the Fundamental General Education Core.
† Select another Social or Behavioral Science elective if either Economics course is used in the Fundamental General Education Core.
‡ Select another General Education Elective if either Humanities course is used in the Fundamental General Education Core.

Interdisciplinary Core (24 hours)*

Required (4 hours)

• IDST 300 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (4)

Electives (20 hours):
Choose five courses from the following, but from no more than three different cognate areas:

COMMUNICATION:

• COMM 320 - Business and Professional Communication (4)
• COMM 360 - Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
• GRPH 210 - Fundamentals of Graphic Design (4)
• ORGC 321 - Organizational Communication (4)

HUMANITIES:

• HUMN 318 - World Religions (4)
• HUMN 345 - Philosophy of Science (4)

MATHEMATICS:

• MATH 210 - Finite Mathematics (4)
• MATH 220 - Business Calculus (4)

SOCIAL SCIENCES:

• PSYC 204 - Principles of Motivation (4)
• PSYC 310 - The Psychology of Personal Development (4)
• SOCL 310 - Diversity in Society (4)
• SOCL 335 - Applied Research Methods (4)

*Upper division courses listed above may be taken to meet appropriate focus area requirements if the credits have not been applied to meet interdisciplinary core requirements or if the credits are appropriate for the chosen focus area(s).

University Electives (14 hours)
Any undergraduate courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Focus Areas

Communication Arts Focus Area (16 hours):
Choose 4 courses from the following (Please note: No fewer than 4 credit hours must be at the 400 level):

• COMM 315 - Communication Ethics (4)
• COMM 460 - Advanced Creative Writing (4)
• GRPH 310 - Advanced Graphic Design (4)
• MIS 320 - Technical Communication (4)
• ORGC 335 - Communication in Groups and Teams (4)
• ORGC 400 - Intercultural Communication (4)
• ORGC 460 - Strategic Communication (4)
• PBRL 325* - Public Relations (4)
• PBRL 350* - Media Research and Writing (4)
• PBRL 450 - Rhetoric and Social Influence (4)

*Students taking PBRL 325 or PBRL 350 must also take Marketing (MKTG 300). This will reduce the number of University Electives in the program.

Social Science Focus Area (16 hours):
Choose 4 courses from the following (Please note: No fewer than 4 credit hours must be at the 400 level):

• PSYC 315 - Applied Psychology: Theory to Practice (4)
• PSYC 325 - Coaching in Organizations (4)
• PSYC 420 - Assessment and Intervention in Organizations (4)
• SOCL 345 - Sociology of Work and Organizations (4)
• SOCL 400 - Social Justice (4)
  

Capstone

All Interdisciplinary Studies students must complete the capstone course:

• IDST 495 - Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone (4)

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Major Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor's degree must earn at least 40 credit hours in residence at Franklin University.

A minimum 2.25 GPA is required in the major area for students enrolled in either the associate's or bachelor's degree programs, and each major area course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to count toward degree requirements.

If needed, English, reading, and mathematics placement tests determine which, if any, developmental education courses are required. Students placing into these courses must pass them prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Developmental education courses carry institutional credit only and do not count toward degree requirements for graduation. Computer Literacy is a General Education prerequisite. Students with computer experience will have the option of completing a free placement exam to waive this prerequisite.

All students are required to pass College Writing (COMM 120), Learning Strategies (PF 321) and either Speech Communication (SPCH 100) or Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. PF 321 must be taken prior to the first BLF course, or it may be taken concurrently with the first 15-week BLF course. General Education courses must be selected from science, math, social and behavioral science, humanities, economics, communication or professional foundations. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.