The University of Texas at DallasSchool of Interdisciplinary Studies
The University of Texas at Dallas
The School of Interdisciplinary Studies provides an environment that allows students to understand and integrate the liberal arts and sciences. The school administers interdisciplinary degree programs that afford students the opportunity to design their degree plans on an individualized basis. To assist the student in pursuing a course of study leading to successful completion of an undergraduate and graduate degree, the school provides an unique structure. Included in this unique structure is the school's Internship Program that arranges professional work experience in diverse career settings. The educational environment of Interdisciplinary Studies is especially congenial to students eager to pursue unconvential or innovative combinations of course work.

Diversity of Studies

Interdisciplinary Studies degrees are suitable for students with interests in Business Issues, Communications, Diversity, Environmental Studies, Human Resources, International Relations, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pre-Health, Pre-Law, and Public Relations.

We can also help customize degree plans to meet other interests. In addition, Interdisciplinary Studies works with The Teacher Development Center to help students incorporate Teacher Certification requirements for EC-4 , 4-8 generalist, 4-8 english, 4-8 science, 4-8 social studies and 8-12 social studies into their degree plans.

Jumpstart

Jumpstart volunteers build playground in South Dallas

Twelve UT Dallas students who are part of the Jumpstart program volunteered to build a playground at Cornerstone Baptist Church in South Dallas on Oct. 29 in celebration of Make a Difference Day.

The students were among 300 area volunteers who constructed the playground, which was funded by a grant from KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization devoted to saving play for America’s children. The organization’s mission is to create a playground within walking distance of every child in America.

Jumpstart, a program in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, pairs at-risk pre-school children with adult volunteers to build literacy, social and emotional skills. Two additional UT Dallas students, who are members of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, also volunteered.

Jenny He, a senior biochemistry major and volunteer coordinator for Jumpstart, said the volunteers were divided into groups to create different parts of the playground.

“I was just amazed at how fast the playground could be put together,” she said. “It took 10 hours to do it.”

She said the new playground replaced another one that was located at a neighborhood park, which had become an unsafe area for children. She went back to the church a few weeks later to see the finished product.

“It was really exciting to be able to see there was this playground in the middle of a poor neighborhood,” she said. “There were kids playing on the playground who were having a lot of fun and enjoying themselves.”

Academic Bridge Program

The Academic Bridge Program (ABP) seeks to attract, support, and retain students who graduate from Dallas-area urban high schools with high class rankings without having completed the full university-track curriculum.

UTD believes strongly in the capabilities of these students and fosters the Academic Bridge Program as a supportive introductory environment for those who choose to attend UTD.

Student Profile

"The University of Texas at Dallas has been a wonderful place for me to grow."

A graduate of Skyline High School, Marisol Espinoza is an Interdisciplinary Studies major who came to UT Dallas after earning her associate's degree from Mountain View Community College. Marisol hopes to use her bachelor's degree and Jumpstart volunteer experience to become an elementary school teacher. read more...