Contents > Minors, Certificates, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Minors, Certificates, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Interdisciplinary studies are available to students through an interdisciplinary degree, such as the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, or an extensive choice of minors or certificates that may be taken in conjunction with other majors. Since interdisciplinary studies provide skills that support employment in a rapidly changing workplace, students are encouraged to consider these options. Consult the academic advisor in the appropriate major about the impact of enrolling in a minor or certificate program.
A minor is an approved, coherent concentration of academic study in a single discipline, involving substantially fewer hours of credit than a corresponding major. Most ASU colleges offer undergraduate minors in addition to majors; see the ASU Minors table.
Students in most majors may pursue one or more minors and, upon successful completion of the prescribed course work, have that accomplishment officially recognized on the ASU transcript at graduation if (1) the college and/or department of the minor officially certifies, through established verification procedures, that all requirements for the minor have been met and (2) the college (and, in certain colleges, the department) of the student’s major allows the official recognition of the minor.
A student wishing to pursue a specific minor should consult an academic advisor in the unit offering that minor to ensure that an appropriate set of courses is taken. The student should also consult with an academic advisor in the college or department of his or her major to make sure the college or department of the major allows the recognition of the minor.
Note: Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate either by the college or department of the major or minor. Inappropriate combinations include (but are not limited to) ones in which an excessive number of courses in the minor are simultaneously being used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major.
Students may pursue some certificate programs along with a major and other certificate programs independently. Graduate certificates and postbaccalaureate certificates are available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. For more information, see the ASU Undergraduate Certificates; ASU Postbaccalaureate Certificates; and ASU Graduate Certificates tables. Graduate certificates constitute graduate work; postbaccalaureate certificates are distinct from graduate certificates and are an extension of the undergraduate curriculum.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
For information about the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, see School of Interdisciplinary Studies, or Interdisciplinary Studies—BIS.
An opportunity for instructional and research involvement in energy matters exists through at least two curricular paths: (1) general studies, which emphasize energy as an elective beyond the scope of a chosen major (for more information, call the coordinator of interdisciplinary studies in energy, at 480/965-4548); and (2) specific studies in the College of Design, for those pursuing the Master of Architecture degree or the Master of Science degree in Building Design.
The university-wide Gerontology Program brings together faculty from three campuses and several disciplines to teach courses related to adult development and aging, to collaborate on gerontological research, and to participate in projects of service to older adults. Courses related to aging are taught throughout the university by faculty who are active contributors to research, theory, and public policy and practice. For more information, see Gerontology, call 602/543-6642, or access www.west.asu.edu/chs/grn on the Web.
A graduate certificate and an undergraduate minor are available in Gerontology. The certificate consists of 21 semester hours—nine hours of required course work and 12 hours of electives. The minor consists of 18 semester hours—six hours of required course work and 12 hours of electives. In addition, gerontology provides students with opportunities to gain practical experience in working with elderly people. The program helps students find rewarding internships in community programs for older adults.
A concentration in gerontology is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the BIS program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
The Global Institute of Sustainability, established originally in 1974 as the Center for Environmental Studies, encourages and coordinates interdisciplinary environment-related activities in the natural and social sciences within the university. The institute sponsors special courses, conferences, and workshops on environmental topics. Drawing from faculty and students throughout the university, the institute participates in research and community programs relating to environmental problem areas. For more information, see School of Sustainability. The School of Sustainability, as the academic arm of the institute, offers academic programs that embody collaborative learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and problem-oriented training. For more information see School of Sustainability
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army ROTC units are active on the ASU campus. See Department of Aerospace Studies, and Department of Military Science, for more information.
Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support
ASU is a participating institution with Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) and is listed in the DANTES Directory of Independent Study. DANTES is an executive agency of the Department of Defense that provides educational support for the voluntary education programs of all services. The primary missions of DANTES are (1) to provide nationally recognized examination and certification programs as part of the voluntary education programs of the military services and (2) to facilitate the accessibility of high-quality independent institutions to service men and women.
Professional Student Exchange Program
Arizona residents who wish to attend professional schools of dentistry, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathy, physician assistance, and veterinary medicine may enroll in professional programs in other states or at in-state private institutions since these programs are not available at Arizona’s public universities. Through the exchange, the student receives preference in admission and pays only the resident tuition fee at a public institution, or the difference between the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) support fee and standard tuition at a private school. Applicants must be legal residents of Arizona for a minimum of five years before the commencement of training, and be U.S. citizens, and must have maintained at least average grades to be eligible to be certified for support through the WICHE program. Recipients are required to practice in Arizona one year for each year of support or repay 50 percent of the funds expended on their behalf plus interest.
For an application and more information, call the Arizona Board of Regents at 602/229-2500, or access the WICHE Web site at www.wiche.edu.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
Arizona residents may enroll in designated two-year and four-year public institutions and programs in other participating states at a reduced tuition level. Tuition for Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) studies is the regular in-state tuition plus 50 percent of that amount.
In all programs, the cost to WUE students is substantially less than nonresident tuition. Students do not need to demonstrate financial need to receive the WUE tuition benefit. WUE participating states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Check the WICHE Web site at www.wiche.edu for a list of participating institutions and programs.
Graduate students have the opportunity to pursue more than one degree at the same time as part of an organized program. For more information, see the Concurrent and Dual Degrees table, and the Graduate Catalog.
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Asian Languages (Chinese/Japanese) |
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Design Studies (Industrial or Interior) |
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School of Community Resources and Development |
Downtown |
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School of Public Affairs |
Downtown |
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1 This minor is for nonbusiness majors only. 2 This university-wide minor is administered by West campus. |
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Convention Sales and Meeting Planning Certificate |
School of Community Resources and Development |
Downtown |
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School of Social and Family Dynamics and School of Social Work |
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School of Life Sciences and the W. P. Carey School of Business |
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Nonprofit Youth and Human Service Leadership and Management: American Humanics Certificate |
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1 This certificate is not for academic credit. 2 This certificate is only for students in the W. P. Carey School of Business. 3 This program is also offered through the School of Extended Education. |
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Communication and Human Relations, Postbaccalaureate Certificate in |
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Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication, Postbaccalaureate Certificate in* |
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* This program is also offered through the School of Extended Education. |
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African and African Diaspora Studies, Graduate Certificate in1 |
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering |
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Intervention Specialist, Graduate Certificate in |
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Community and Public Health Practice, Graduate Certificate in |
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Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, Graduate Certificate in |
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Geographic Information Science, Interdisciplinary Certificate in1 |
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Division of Graduate Studies |
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Latino Cultural Competency in Social Work, Graduate Certificate in |
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Nurse Education in Academic and Practice Settings, Graduate Certificate in |
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Committee on Statistics and the Division of Graduate Studies |
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Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, School of Sustainability, and W. P. Carey School of Business |
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Transportation Systems, Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in |
Committee on the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Transportation Systems and the Division of Graduate Studies |
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1 For more information, see the Graduate Catalog. 2 This program is also offered through the School of Extended Education. 3 This university-wide certificate program is administered by the West campus. 4 Applications for this program are not being accepted at this time. |
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