Sep 27, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Interdisciplinary Studies, MS


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Program Description

Missouri State University offers an innovative interdisciplinary program at the Masters level for students who find that traditional master’s degrees or formally-designed options do not meet their unique, creative, and professional needs or for those seeking growth and advancement within their vocations. The MSIS program allows students, in consultation with graduate faculty in the selected areas, to combine the curricula of at least two programs, to produce a well-designed and intensive program of study. MSIS students are expected to demonstrate research and writing proficiency appropriate to their career path and program emphasis.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is based on the following:

  1. Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri State University or equivalent education from a foreign university;
  2. A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, or 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of course work, or 3.00 on 9 hours of graduate hours;
  3. Admission to at least one graduate certificate program.

Accelerated Master’s Option Admission Requirements

This is an option for MSU undergraduate students who are juniors and have accumulated at least 60 credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.20 or higher. If admitted, up to 12 hours of 600-level or 700-level courses by count for Mixed Credit.  Please reach out to the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies office to discuss the application process.

Before enrolling in a course that will apply to both the undergraduate program and the master’s program an undergraduate student must:

  1. Be admitted into the accelerated program;
  2. Receive prior approval from the MSIS advisor, department head of the undergraduate program, and the Dean of the Graduate College. This is done by using a mixed credit form.

Degree Requirements Credit Hours: 33 Minimum


Core Courses


  • Research methods - Variety of courses available Credit Hours: 3
  • Research/Capstone experience - Thesis, Non-Thesis Project, or Internship Credit Hours: 3-6
  • Interdisciplinary course work - Coursework from 2 or more Graduate Certificates Credit Hours: 24-27

Additional Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of the research or capstone experience will serve as the student’s comprehensive examination.
  2. All other university and Graduate College requirements must be met for completion of a degree program.

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