A bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies is an option provided for students who discover that existing OU programs do not meet their educational objectives and who wish to tailor a unique course of study to meet their individual goals. An MDS degree is an opportunity to craft a personal program of study with rigor, coherence, and purpose.
For more information about the MDS major, please schedule a consultation appointment by calling our front desk at (405) 325-4411, make an appointment with your advisor online at iadvise.ou.edu, or email us at mds@ou.edu.
Total hours: 120 hours
Upper division hours: 48 hours
Minimum GPA: 2.0
The course of study must include a minimum of 30 hours major-theme credit plus a Capstone, OU’s General Education requirements, and additional elective hours to a total of at least 120 hours. At minimum 18 hours of the major credit must be at the upper division level.
The student proposes a major theme of study with a course plan in coordination with an MDS advisor. The course plan must be approved by the Provost. Following initial approval of the MDS plan, any subsequent changes or substitutions must be approved by the Provost. While exceptions can be approved by the Provost in rare circumstances, an MDS Plan of Study should include at minimum the courses required by two minors or concentrations already approved at OU. This allows students to combine coherent course sequences, while leaving the flexibility to add other, individual courses that add to the educational experience. Students are encouraged to add complementary courses beyond the core areas to enrich their experience. Independent studies, study abroad, internships, and other forms of field experience can also add value to the MDS Plan of Study.
The Multidisciplinary Studies major requires that all students submit their proposed degree plan to the Provost for approval. This ensures that each degree plan meets the academic standards of the program and that each student will receive an enriching college experience. To submit a degree proposal, students should complete the application below and return it to the Cal Hobson Academic Services Office located in Ellison Hall room 124. Once your plan is reviewed you will be notified via e-mail regarding your status to your OU e-mail account.
Approval of your Multidisciplinary Studies degree plan will admit you to the MDS major but does not evaluate your status towards graduation. All MDS students must adhere to all graduation requirements as stipulated on the degree checksheet. This checksheet is available on-line at checksheets.ou.edu. If you have any questions regarding the application process you can call the Cal Hobson Academic Services office at (405) 325-4411.
MDS Degree Plan Proposal Application (pdf)
Please keep these things in mind when composing your MDS major application:
There are many different reasons you would want to meet with your Academic Advisor/Counselor and we have detailed some of those reasons below:
Please keep these important things in mind regarding appointments within the Multidisciplinary Studies major: