Program Overview

 Interdisciplinary Studies

The UAF graduate Interdisciplinary Studies program provides a pathway for students who have well-defined goals and interests to earn an M.A., M.S. or Ph.D. degree that draws on multiple disciplines and does not fit in the established programs offered by the university. The program is an interdisciplinary individual program where students and faculty design an individual or unique program of study to meet the student's needs. The program draws on UAF’s experience and strengths in interdisciplinary research and education. Interdisciplinary degrees meet the increased societal need for research to address complex problems that involve multiple disciplines. Students in the graduate Interdisciplinary Studies program pursue a wide range of topics. Given the place-based nature of much of UAF's scholarship, Alaska and the Arctic are common themes in their scholarship. These topics include but are not limited to the following areas: Indigenous and Western knowledge; education, language and culture; ecology and sociology; community health care; and natural resources, economics and policy.

The graduate Interdisciplinary Studies program is administered by the Graduate School and supported by UAF faculty, colleges and schools. Admission to the program is overseen by the Graduate School and the Interdisciplinary Studies Council. Students are housed in the academic unit associated with their advisor. Prospective students identify a specific area for study and a UAF faculty member who is willing to serve as their advisor. Students are housed in the college or school of their advisor and their degree is awarded by that same college or school. Students develop a graduate study plan with their advisor and take courses from the disciplinary programs that they need to support their interdisciplinary scholarship.