BA in Multidisciplinary Studies in Dartmouth United States | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The Multidisciplinary Studies program offers both Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree options, tailored to each student's customized academic plan. Eligible students maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA can pursue this unique major when their academic interests extend beyond traditional degree programs. The MDS program enables students to blend coursework from two or three different fields, crafting a personalized major with guidance from both a faculty advisor and the Multidisciplinary Studies Director. The curriculum design offers significant flexibility, incorporating courses, studio work, and lab sessions from across all colleges, provided at least one core discipline comes from Arts and Sciences. Past MDS students have developed concentrations such as Media & Visual Arts, Ecological Studies, Aging in Modern Society, and Behavioral Biology.

This interdisciplinary approach is designed for students with prior college experience, making it unavailable to first-semester freshmen. Transfer students must complete 15 credits at UMass Dartmouth before applying. Early program planning allows for optimal course scheduling, while senior-year major changes are typically not feasible. Note: Students cannot pursue MDS as part of a double major.