Interdisciplinary Studies

Our Mission: 

Interdisciplinary Studies gives undergraduate students the opportunity to extend and complement their work in the major by pursuing a minor—a defined or self directed course sequence that explores a specific theme, topic, or discipline. Minors are optional, and most Interdisciplinary Studies students pursue only one minor, however, students may be approved to pursue two minors on a case-by-case basis.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students enrolled in Interdisciplinary Studies will:

• Articulate the relationship between their major and minor(s) and how these will help them achieve personal and professional goals.
• Develop an art/design practice that is grounded in two or more disciplines. 

Minors Offered 

Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements

Not all minors are open to all majors. See each specific minor for details. 

In order to pursue a minor, students must be on track in their major and in good academic standing, with fewer than 6 credits outstanding and a cumulative gpa of at least 2.0. students who fall behind 6 credits or more after declaring a minor will be advised to drop their minor. Students who fall below a 2.0 cumulative gpa after declaring a minor will be given a written warning at first, then advised to drop their minor if their gpa is not above 2.0 in the subsequent semester. In both cases students can reapply for the minor once they’ve caught up in their major and/or liberal arts requirements and/or raised their gpa. 

Students will be allowed to register for courses on a space-available basis, which is not guaranteed, but registering early will significantly increase the chances of getting into their required courses. 

Transfer students who apply for and are approved to pursue a minor upon entering the college must meet the requirements above and fulfill degree program requirements through an appropriate combination of transfer courses and courses completed at otis. 

The Application Process

Students should complete their declaration of minor form during registration advising for either the first or second semester of the sophomore year. Under limited circumstances, students may declare a minor in the first semester of the junior year. Declaration forms are available online, via the registration page of the otis dashboard and www.otis.Edu/minors. academic advising, the director of interdisciplinary studies, the minor area head(s), and the registrar must approve the application. 

• Meet with the Interdisciplinary Studies Director to discuss your interests, options, and Declaration process (only required if you are unsure which minor to pursue).
• Complete the online Declaration of Minor Form.
• Meet with Academic Advising to review Academic Plan.
• Students declaring DGMD, GRDS, ILUS, PNTG, PHOT, PRDS, and/or SCNG minors are recommended to also meet with the Minor Area Head for one on one advising.
• Students receive email confirmation once their declaration form has been approved by the Registrar.
• Attend group meetings with Minor Area Heads during Registration Advising periods.

Students who wish to drop their minor must complete the online dropping minor form. Students who wish to change their minor or add a second minor must complete a new declaration of minor form following the instructions above.

Course Requirements

Each minor requires students to complete 15 credits. Minor course requirements can fulfill studio electives and in some cases also Creative Action and Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements. Required major las courses for which students do not have choices of topics cannot count towards a minor without department approval. For some majors, pursuing a minor may require additional coursework or degree requirements above the 120 credit BFA.