Requirements

Candidates are required to take at least thirty-three credit hours of graduate level coursework in at least two disciplines. 

• • The total 33 hours includes the required three-hour IST 585 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, which is taken in the first year, and either the three-hour Capstone course (IST 793) or the six-hour thesis option (IST 797). 

  • A mutually agreed upon mission statement and plan of study must be submitted in the first semester.

  • A portfolio must be created in IST 585 and continued through the capstone experience.

  • Every enrolled semester after taking IST 585, students must include in their portfolio an artifact and brief reflection from recent coursework as it contributes to the plan of study. 

The following conditions apply.

• • At least 15 credit hours must be taken at the 600-level or above. 

  • Only 6 credit hours of independent study or directed readings will count toward the degree. 

  • Students can include up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework from the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities (GC3). Registration is handled through the NKU Registrar's office.

  • Transfer credits may not constitute more than 13 credit hours (40%). Approval from the program director is required and the Graduate Transfer Credit Request form must be filled in, signed, and submitted. 

  • With the approval of the graduate program director, a student may transfer up to nine credit hours of graduate coursework taken as part of a previously earned graduate degree. 

  • With the approval of the the Interdisciplinary Studies program director, a student can use up to 15 hours of graduate coursework earned as a degree seeking student in an existing NKU graduate program.

  • Students who earn over 6 credit hours with the grade of “C” or lower will be removed from the program.

See the Graduate Catalog for more information.

• • IST 585 Introduction to Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies (3 credit hours)

  • 24-27 credit hours of electives in at least two disciplines, but not more than three disciplines, at the graduate level. For example, a MAIS student may decide to take 9 credit hours in three different focus areas or 12 credit hours in two different focus areas. 

  • Choose one of the culminating experiences.

    • IST 793 Applied Research: Capstone Project (3 credit hours), or 

    • IST 797 Applied Research: Capstone Thesis (6 credit hours)

Total Hours = 33