2012-2013 Catalog
School of Arts and Sciences
Graduate Plan for Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A.I.S.)
Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A.I.S.)
1. General Admission Requirements. Admission to Graduate Studies (see graduate admission
requirements).
2. Program Admission. In addition to meeting university admissions requirements for a graduate degree
students must submit their official GRE scores. Admission to the M.A.I.S program is based on an evaluation
by the program's admission committee of the following information:
1. A one-page essay that states the student’s reasons for applying to the program and his or her career
goals and research and scholarly interests, if any.
2. Submit official GRE scores and have an Admissions index of 1,400 or higher (if taken prior to August
1, 2011) or 980 (if taken on or after August 1, 2011), obtained by either of the following:
If taken prior to August 1, 2011: GPA on at least the last 60 semester credit hours times 200
Plus GRE score (Verbal + Quantitative)
If taken on or after August 1, 2011: GPA on at least the last 60 semester credit hours times 200 Plus
15 times (Verbal + Quantitative – 260)
3. Degree Plan. The degree plan embodies the goals to be achieved by the student at the completion of the
program, as indicated by the proportion of the course work required in each concentration. The degree plan
is drawn up by the degree plan counselor, in consultation with the student, the concentration advisors, and
the M.A.I.S. program director. The plan is approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Degree plans
should be completed within one semester of admission to the program.
4. Degree Requirements.
a. a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours (s.h.) with a final grade of at least a B in each course
b. 15 s.h. maximum in any one concentration except INDS
c. INDS 6312 (Introduction to INDS) can only be taken twice.
d. COSC 6360 and COSC 6361 will NOT count toward the 36 semester hour requirements.
5. Core Courses and Concentrations.
a. MAIS core requirements (9 s.h.)
i. For all MAIS students (3 s.h.)
INDS 6312 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, (Students must have Graduate Admission to the
MAIS program and take within the first 15 semester hours).
ii. For first concentrators in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Forensic Science, or Math (6 s.h.)
INDS 6328 Philosophy of Science
INDS 6305 Interdisciplinary Research Project (To be taken in last 15 s.h. of the program.)
This course requires prior approval of supervising instructor and advisor.
iii. For first concentrators other than Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Forensic Science, or
Math (6 s.h.)
INDS 6324 Ethics, or
INDS 6326 Social Philosophy, or
INDS 6305 Interdisciplinary Research Project (To be taken in last 15 s.h. of the program.)
This course requires prior approval of supervising instructor and advisor.
b. First Concentration (12-15 s.h.)
Options: Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice,
Digital Gaming & Simulation, English, Film, Forensic Science, History, Homeland and International
Security*, Mathematics, Psychology, Publishing, or Religion.
c. Second Concentration (9-12 s.h.)
Options: Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences, Business, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal
Justice, Digital Gaming & Simulation, Education, English, Film, Forensic Science, History, Homeland and
International Security*, Mathematics, Psychology, Publishing, or Religion.
d. Special Options:
1. Upon the advisement and recommendation of the MAIS program director and their first concentration
advisor, students may write a 6-hour interdisciplinary thesis. These students will not be required to
take INDS 6305 Interdisciplinary Research Project.
2. Students may replace the second concentration in one discipline with 9-12 s.h. of courses from any
graduate offerings designed around a theme or topic. The student must submit a written rationale for
this grouping of courses to the M.A.I.S. program director and the first concentration advisor before
the completion of 15 s.h. in the program. The proposal is subject to the approval of both the program
director and the concentration advisor.
*Homeland and International Security Concentration Specific Requirements:
1. Core (6 credit hours):
Students will follow the basic MAIS core program
2. First concentration (15 credit hours):
A. Students will take the following 12 credit hours:
1) HINS 6310: Theories of Political Violence
2) HINS 6311: Domestic Terrorism and Hate Groups
3) HINS 6312: International Terrorism and Religious Violence
4) HINS 6313: Unconventional Warfare Since 1945
B. Students will choose 3 credit hours from among the following:
a) HINS 6300: Special Topics in Homeland and International Security
b) CRIJ 6300: Special Topics in Criminal Justice
c) HIST 6311: 20th Century US History
d) HIST 6316: Nazi Germany
e) COSC 4350: Information Security, Privacy and Ethics
f) RELN 6312: Religion and Media
g) RELN 6313: Philosophy of Religion
3. Second concentration recommendations (9 credit hours):
A. Criminal Justice
B. Business (Management)
C. Religion (May not use RELN 6312 or 6313 for both concentrations)
D. History (May not use HIST 6311 or 6316 for both concentrations)
E. Forensic Science
4. Thesis (6 credit hours)
It is recommended that students write and defend a thesis.
5. Foreign Language (Pre- or Co-Requisite):
Students will take 12 credit hours (undergraduate or graduate) or demonstrate proficiency in a foreign
language (other than Spanish), preferably Arabic. They may substitute Study Abroad language programs for
appropriate language credit with permission of their advisor. Credit hours may be transferred from another
institution.
