Interdisciplinary Studies, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies, (M.I.S.)

The Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) degree program is designed for students who seek to pursue a customized, interdisciplinary course of graduate study rather than a traditional or professionally prescribed program. The program enables students to integrate up to three areas of specialization selected from the College of Education, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Engineering and Technology, and the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

Currently, the MIS program offers two programmatic options: the traditional MIS program and structured pathway options. In the traditional MIS program, students may select graduate-level coursework from up to three academic disciplines across participating colleges to design an individualized course of study aligned with their academic and professional goals. Alternatively, students may select an identified pathway. Pathways are structured programs that specify 18 credit hours of required coursework within a defined area of concentration. Upon completion of the program, the student’s academic transcript will reflect the designated concentration associated with the selected pathway. A listing of current pathways is available on the university website. Applicants are required to indicate their selection of either the traditional MIS option or a specific pathway at the time of application.

Candidates for the MIS degree are required to complete a 30 semester credit hour program of study. Prior to admission into the program, students must identify no more than three areas of specialization or select an approved pathway in which they intend to pursue graduate-level coursework.

Upon admission, each student is assigned a faculty advisor who assists in the development of an individualized plan of study. This plan is designed to align with the student’s academic and professional goals while ensuring compliance with all degree requirements. Students are required to complete 12 credit hours of core coursework. The distribution and number of graduate courses within each selected area of specialization are determined collaboratively by the academic department, the student’s advisor, and the student, or are prescribed by the selected pathway.

Upon completion of 24 credit hours of coursework, students are required to enroll in and complete an additional 6 credit hours of a required culminating course sequence. This course requirement is designed to synthesize interdisciplinary learning and may include the development of a master’s project, thesis, or action research proposal.

Specialization Areas

Students will complete 18 credit hours in the selected primary and secondary specialization areas. Courses can be selected from the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Technology, and College of Natural and Health Sciences.

Primary Specialization Area (9-12 credit hours)

Courses to be selected from the student’s primary area of specialization. Students choose courses in the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Technology, and College of Natural and Health Sciences with the help of their primary area advisor. Students will graduate with at least 18 hours in their primary specialization area.

Secondary Specialization Area (9-12 credit hours)

Students choose from courses in the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Technology, and College of Natural and Health Sciences with the assistance of an advisor from the specialization area.

Additional Pathway Options

Public Service Leadership

This pathway, specifically designed for public service agencies, will meet the following research-based objectives.

Provide an area of focus that will:

• Enhance the understanding of the complex social, political, cultural, and organizational environments and cultural shifts that affect public service and community relations
• Enhance leadership and management knowledge, skill, and praxis for public service field officers, customer service agents, supervisors, and administrators for agencies and agents to develop "quality leadership models" within organizations and communities
• Provide a critical and analytic awareness of power and power dynamics in relation to public service, politics, policing, and community relations
• Enhance the Cultural Actualization of Public Service employees and agencies.

Trauma-Informed Practices and Healing

The Trauma-Informed Practices and Healing concentration is an interdisciplinary, 18-credit graduate pathway designed for scholars across the university who aim to deepen their knowledge of trauma’s impact and promote healing-centered practices in their professional roles. This concentration integrates evidence-based trauma theory, leadership and organizational practice, school-based intervention, military and crisis response, child welfare policy, and financial capability to equip scholars with the knowledge and skills to address trauma at individual, organizational, and systemic levels.

Grounded in cultural humility, equity, and justice, the curriculum prepares scholars to recognize trauma, reduce harm, build resilience, and design trauma-informed environments that promote safety, empowerment, and wellbeing. This concentration is ideal for scholars in education, counseling, business, leadership, public health, psychology, social work, military studies, criminal justice, public administration, nonprofit management, and community development.