Engaging with real-world issues while committing to social justice and to caring for human dignity
Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN-SOCE
The MAIS in interdisciplinary studies is for students who seek a master's degree that integrates knowledge from several disciplines. It addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique graduate study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations and also have the opportunity to design an individualized concentration to meet the special needs of their careers.
The MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Energy and Sustainability is a Green Leaf program.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Total credits: 36
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate coursework in a concentration. Students must submit a curriculum worksheet that has been approved by their concentration head and the director. All students complete their work in the program with a project or thesis.
The concentration in social entrepreneurship will equip students with the subject matter expertise, strategic knowledge, technical support, and social networks needed to create, operate, develop, and accelerate startups; bring ideas to scale; and improve an existing program's effectiveness. These future leaders will learn about sustainability, ethical leadership, strategic management, and working effectively within complex networks made up of divergent groups of stakeholders. All students will complete a capstone research project and an experiential learning requirement that deliver practical knowledge and real-world experience. This degree is suitable for students seeking careers in government, business, or the non-profit sector.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAIS 696 | MAIS ProSeminar | 1 |
| Total Credits | 1 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership | ||
| INTS 550 | Social Innovation In Action | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Leadership in a Changing Environment | ||
| Special Topics (when topic is Leadership and Organizational Problem Solving) | ||
| Business | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
|
GBUS 540
|
Analysis of Financial Decisions | |
|
GBUS 697
|
Special Topics in Graduate School of Business 1 | |
|
MBA 711
|
Entrepreneurship | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 |
When topic is Introduction to Entrepreneurship. |
Students take three or four courses from the list of competencies below to complement the skills they have already acquired through formal education and professional experience, or other courses to enhance their skills, including oral and written communication and research methods, that are chosen in consultation with an advisor. Students choosing the thesis option for their capstone take 9 credits including a research methods course. Students choosing the project option for their capstone take 12 credits total, with a research methods course being optional.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Environmental Management and Policy | ||
|
PUAD 540
|
Public Policy Process | |
| Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy | ||
| Entrepreneurship, Economics, and Public Policy |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
GBUS 540
|
Analysis of Financial Decisions | |
|
PUAD 655
|
Nonprofit Fund Raising and Resource Development | |
|
PUAD 664
|
Nonprofit Financial Management |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
GBUS 697
|
Special Topics in Graduate School of Business 1 | |
|
or MBA 711
|
Entrepreneurship | |
|
MBA 712
|
Project Management | |
|
MBA 752
|
Turning Ideas into Successful Companies | |
|
PUAD 505
|
Introduction to Management of Nonprofits | |
|
PUAD 658
|
Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise | |
|
PUAD 659
|
Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics | |
| 1 |
When topic is Introduction to Entrepreneurship. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Experiential Learning 1 | ||
| Experiential Learning 2 |
| 1 |
When topic is Mindfulness and Leadership. |
| 2 |
When the topic is Leadership and Positive Organizations. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Research Methods | ||
| Research for Social Change | ||
|
Appropriate alternative chosen in consultation with the concentration head
|
||
Students must develop expertise in the social problem they seek to address through entrepreneurship. Possible areas of focus include global and/or local poverty, homelessness, human trafficking, conflict resolution, women's rights, racial inequality, educational and health-care access, climate change, environmental sustainability, and human rights, among other possible topics. The experiential learning requirement should be met through an opportunity that advances the student's understanding of their subject matter expertise.
Students take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTS 540 | Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights 1 | 3 |
| 6 credits of courses related to the student's chosen subject matter area of expertise, chosen in consultation with the concentration head. | 6 | |
| Experiential learning | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning 2 | ||
|
or other relevant experiential learning course chosen in consultation with the concentration head.
|
||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| 1 |
or other social justice and human rights course chosen in consultation with the concentration head. |
| 2 |
Students will seek out and/or create an opportunity for experiential learning that aligns with a social mission. Experiential learning opportunities can include internships, service-learning, consulting projects, and field studies or research (including overseas). Because the intention is to develop and apply newly acquired skills, students may not use work done previously or their current employment to fulfill this requirement. All experiential learning projects must be approved by the social entrepreneurship concentration head the semester before registering for the course. |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAIS 797 | Interdisciplinary Studies Proposal | 1 |
| Total Credits | 1 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 4 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 1 credit) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 4 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking philosophy and another discipline should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies regarding Individualized Dual Master's Degree Programs. Students approved to pursue dual master's study linking the MA philosophy degree and the Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS with a concentration in women and gender studies will complete WMST 630 Feminist Theories across the Disciplines/PHIL 658 Feminist Theory and 3 additional credits of WMST courses approved by the Department of Philosophy to apply to the philosophy degree as elective credit. Six credits of approved PHIL credits will apply to the MAIS degree as elective credit. Application to the second master's program should be pursued with consultation of the directors of both programs. Admission to the second master's program will require that the student has met the minimum prerequisites for admission to the second program. If a student lacks the minimum prerequisites and seeks to be admitted to a second master's program, the director of the second program may identify ways in which the prerequisite can be completed prior to admission.