Multidisciplinary Studies

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:

• Check the enrollment prerequisites for any courses you include in your MDS major plan to confirm your eligibility to enroll in the course.
• Some departments will only let declared majors enroll in their courses so you may need to speak with an advisor in the departments you include to confirm your eligibility to enroll.
• If your submitted plan is approved you must complete the exact list of courses you submitted on your major plan.

There are many different reasons you would want to meet with your Academic Advisor/Counselor and we have detailed some of those reasons below:

• Semester Advising: Each student must be advised before they will be eligible to enroll for a given semester. Enrollment windows typically open a few months prior to the beginning of a semester so students should plan ahead!
• Degree Check: A degree check is a comprehensive audit of a student's academic records to determine exactly what they have remaining to graduate. This appointment is scheduled when a student has earned approximately 80-90 total hours.
• Academic Contract: Student's who have a GPA below the graduation requirement of 2.00 must sign a Academic Contract with their Academic Counselor/Advisor before they will be eligible for enrollment.
• New Transfer students: Multidisciplinary Studies students who have transferred to the University of Oklahoma will schedule an hour long appointment to discuss their major plan, semester advisement, and resources available at the University of Oklahoma.
• Re-Admit Students: Multidisciplinary Studies students returning to the University of Oklahoma after an absence of 3 or more semesters will need to schedule an appointment to discuss their major plan, semester advisement, and any new university policies/procedures since they last attended the university.

Please keep these important things in mind regarding appointments within the Multidisciplinary Studies major:

• Be sure that you have declared the Multidisciplinary Studies major. Students can declare the Multidisciplinary Studies major by completing a change of major form with the Cal Hobson Academic Services office in room 124 of Ellison Hall after they have an approved major plan.
• Be sure that you have submitted your designed major plan for approval. All MDS major applications should be submitted to Ellison Hall room 124 once completed. Once your degree plan has been officially reviewed by the Provost you will be notified via your OU e-mail address.
• Schedule an advising appointment each semester. Semester advising is required in the Multidisciplinary Studies major so you should visit iAdvise each semester to schedule these appointments.
• Be prepared for your advising appointment. Prior to your advising appointment you should use One to look at available courses and prepare a list of courses you are interested in completing. You should also make a list of questions you would like to ask your advisor.
• Gather and bring all important information. If you have any outstanding transfer work, placement tests, credit by advanced standing, or any other important information that could benefit your advising appointment please bring that with you.