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DEPARTMENT OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES AND CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

Degree Only Option

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Curriculum and Instruction offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) degree-only option may be used as preparation for careers in government service or work with youth in a nonteaching capacity, or as an opportunity to prepare for graduate or professional study in areas such as business, counseling, or social work. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the B.A. in IDS degree-only option, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120, at least 39 of which must be at the upper-division level. Students selecting this option also choose an academic specialization. See the section entitled “Degree Program” for a listing of the requirements for this degree.

Degree with Certification Options

Students who choose the IDS major can also seek teacher certification. The IDS program is designed to give successful students the opportunity to become teachers who understand their own thinking and learning processes and can successfully foster children's conceptual, intellectual, and affective growth. Within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Curriculum and Instruction, IDS majors who select a teacher certification option can choose from five options: early childhood–grade 4 generalist certification (EC–4), grades 4–8 generalist certification, grades 4–8 language arts/reading/social studies certification, grades 4–8 mathematics/science certification, or special education EC–12. For additional information regarding requirements for these certifications, students should consult the section of this catalog entitled “Degree Program with Teacher Certification Options.” They should also consult with an advisor in the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) Advising and Certification Center for information regarding certification requirements and for information on admission to the teacher certification program.

IDS majors seeking bilingual certification for EC–4, 4–8, or ESL certification for 4–8 should refer to the section of this catalog entitled Bicultural-Bilingual Studies.

Secondary Certification

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Curriculum and Instruction offers coursework required for students seeking secondary certification (grades 8–12). Students seeking certification to teach at the secondary level must obtain a bachelor's degree in the academic area in which they plan to teach. They should consult with an advisor in the college in which their degree is contained. They should also consult with an advisor in the COEHD Advising and Certification Center for information regarding secondary certification requirements and for information on admission to the teacher certification program. For additional information regarding secondary certification requirements, students should consult the section of this catalog entitled “Secondary Certification Programs.”

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DEPARTMENT HONORS

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Curriculum and Instruction awards Department Honors to certain outstanding students and provides the opportunity for advanced study under close faculty supervision.

Selection for honors designation is based on the student's academic performance and recommendation by the faculty of the student's major discipline. To be eligible for the program, students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 at UTSA and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in their major at UTSA. The minimum grade point averages must be maintained for students to receive the approval of the Department Honors Committee and the discipline faculty. Students applying for Department Honors are expected to enroll in the appropriate honors thesis course during their final two semesters. The completed thesis must be approved by the supervising faculty sponsor and another departmental faculty member. Students interested in this program should contact their professors for additional information.

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