As the world changes at an ever-accelerating pace, a broad base in a variety of academic disciplines can provide the solid foundation necessary to effectively adapt to those changes. The University Studies major allows students the freedom to select from a wide range of courses and tailor a program suited to their own interests. Students have the opportunity to emphasize a primary field of study while taking courses in at least three other academic areas. This makes it possible for students to postpone a decision concerning their major until a later time in their college career. That additional time may be just what is needed to provide the insight into selecting courses that are relevant and challenging for the student. Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Studies program are well prepared to proceed on to graduate school or enter the workforce in a variety of entry-level positions requiring broad training and skills.
BA General Education Requirements (49-50)
Primary Discipline (27)
Primary courses must be part of an existing BA undergraduate program or BA undergraduate major in the Colleges and must include at least 18 hours of upper-division credits (out of 27 total credits). Courses taken to meet the primary discipline requirement cannot duplicate general education courses.
Secondary Discipline (15)
Secondary courses must include at least 9 hours of upper-division credits in one academic program, major, or minor offered at Concordia (out of 15 total credits). Courses taken to meet the Secondary Discipline requirement cannot duplicate general education or primary discipline courses.
Senior Capstone [Thesis (5) or Internship (5)]
University Studies majors are required to complete a Senior Capstone which aims to assist students in the transition from mere participants in education to becoming leaders with the potential to transform society. One of two options may meet this requirement: Thesis or Internship.
Thesis: The thesis option enables students to build and hone their analytical and writing skills under the guidance of a faculty advisory committee. The thesis option will include the following courses:
- ENG/GS/HST/HUM/REL/UST 492: Thesis Preparation (1)
- ENG/GS/HST/HUM/REL/UST 493: Thesis I (2)
- ENG/GS/HST/HUM/REL/UST 494: Thesis II (2)
Internship: The internship option is designed to provide students with supervised work in the field of the student’s primary discipline so that they may better evaluate and comprehend the specific career choice they are considering. The internship option will include the following courses:
- ENG/GS/HST/HUM/REL/UST 482: Internship Preparation (1)
- ENG/GS/HST/HUM/REL/UST 483: Internship I (2)
- ENG/GS/HST/HUM/REL/UST 484: Internship II (2)
Electives (27-28)
The student needs sufficient electives to meet the 124 credit hours required for graduation. At least 45 of the 124 hours must be earned in 300- or 400-level courses.
The University Studies degree is a true interdisciplinary major providing students, including transfer students, the freedom to explore a variety of academic disciplines. Concordia’s friendly and knowledgeable academic advisors are happy to provide guidance help you select the right courses to achieve your career aspirations.
Click HERE for an overview of the general education requirements at Concordia University.
How a college degree pays off
Among the most frequently asked questions from potential college students and their parents deals with career opportunities. “Can I get a job in that field?” and “What are the salary ranges?”
It is difficult to answer either question with specifics. Securing a job in any field depends on many factors, including the strength of the economy, market trends in specific job markets and skills of the college graduate in relationship to other job applicants.
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article (May 7, 2015) on college degrees and income. Melissa Korn states, “On average, college graduates earn about $1 million more in their lifetimes than do adults who only completed high school.” But you need to drill deeper into the details to understand how educational decisions can impact potential earnings. While you need a subscription to the WSJ to read the entire article, you can watch a video on their website to grasp the scope of the story (click "wsj.com/TheShortAnswer" in the lower right corner of the graph). Click HERE for the earnings graph by discipline. The complete report from the Center on Education and the Workforce from Georgetown University can be accessed here: The College Payoff: Education, Occupations, Lifetime Earnings.
In addition, PayScale provides a college salary report as to how different majors and degrees potentially affect lifetime earnings. Click on the "Major Grouping" to the left of the graph and drag your mouse over the various lines on the graph to highlight specific majors/disciplines and median earnings potential. The graph compares different degree levels along with years in the workforce. Salary information is collected by PayScale through online surveys.
Thanks for considering a degree from Concordia University Portland. We provide high quality instruction across programs to equip our graduates to transform society.