Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CHC

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Whenever possible, students should select courses that both fulfill general education requirements AND are prerequisites to upper level courses in fields/departments that they want to include in their major.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

  • Students should take a broad assortment of General Education courses and electives to help determine which departments they want to include in their area of concentration.
  • First-year students are encouraged to take BDIC 191, How to Design Your Own Major.
  • Students should use their first year to explore courses and options. They should also meet with an advisor at BDIC to sort out their ideas.

How to Declare the Major

In order to be accepted into the major, a student must first complete the BDIC Proposal Writing class, BDIC 396P. Although a 2.0 G.P.A. and at least 12 credits are the minimum requirements for entrance into BDIC 396P, a number of other criteria are considered, as well. Admission is highly competitive. Upperclassmen should meet with an advisor at BDIC for help in understanding the Program and its requirements

During BDIC 396P, the student works on an individual basis with a peer advisor who will help with the development of a proposal outlining his/her chosen concentration. This includes a rationale as to why the student wants to pursue a non-traditional degree at the University and a description of what courses the student plans to take as part of his/her major curriculum. The proposal must then be approved by the student’s chosen Faculty Sponsor and BDIC Faculty Supervisor.

Applications to BDIC 396P are available online on the BDIC website at www.umass.edu/bdic. Deadlines for applications are: April 10 for fall semester and November 15 for spring semester. There is a four-semester commitment to the BDIC Program, so students should apply to BDIC 396P, the Proposal Writing class, early in their academic careers.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 39

Over the span of four semesters, students must take twelve courses at the 300-level or above which are drawn from three or more departments that provide a cohesive interdisciplinary focus. In addition to this 36-credit curriculum, a three-credit course in junior year writing (BDIC 350), an integrative experience class (BDIC 494I), and a Senior Summary with Abstract are also required. Five-College courses, international and domestic exchange work, independent studies and internships are encouraged.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
No.

For further information, contact:
BDIC Office
545-2504
bdic@bdic.umass.edu