Undergraduate Extended Accelerator Pathway (3-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies – Diversity Studies

at Shorelight Group - University of Central Florida USA

Interdisciplinary Studies is a university-wide program leading to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, depending on the concentration of work selected in consultation with an Interdisciplinary Studies advisor. The program is administered through the Interdisciplinary Studies Department and is designed for academic flexibility. It recognizes that there are many combinations of courses that meet the needs of individual students.

As an English major at UCF, explore the power of language. Your coursework will cover critical thought, expression through writing, and knowledge of cultural and literary trends from a number of different perspectives. These perspectives include scholarship, creating original texts, and communication about and through technology.

You’ll have the opportunity to align your studies with your personal and professional goals. Choose from three tracks, including creative writing, literature and technical communication. After graduation, pursue a career in fields such as law, editing and publishing, teaching, corporate and not-for-profit management, consulting and information technology. This degree also prepares you to continue your studies in graduate school, whether you choose to continue English or another discipline.

Literature Track
Develop the ability to read discerningly, think critically and write clearly. This track encompasses the study of literature in its historical, cultural and theoretical contexts. You’ll learn about the ways of people and society, as well as develop a lifelong pleasure to be found in this art form.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts track in Design and Technology is offered for students who, upon graduation, plan to pursue a specialized career in professional theatre. It provides the student with a thorough foundation in theatre complemented by very structured and intensive career preparation in all areas of design and technology. Students can expect to work along side faculty as design or technical assistants in their first two years and will be given the opportunity for technical leadership opportunities including, prop master, master electrician, first hand, draper, scenic artist, master carpenter, technical director, etc. Those who qualify and wish to pursue design areas can be offered design positions within the production season. The curriculum requires students to become proficient in design and technology related to scenery, costumes, lighting and sound through specified coursework. Students then select one or two areas of specialization where their production assignments will focus in their junior and senior years, thus giving each student practical experience as they build their professional portfolios. The program culminates with a professional internship where students are able to apply their education in a real world work environment. While most students choose to enter the workforce following graduation, the BFA is an excellent degree for students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in theatre. Work within the BFA program requires energy and dedication; therefore, other part-time study or outside employment is very challenging. BFA standards are high, both for admission and for continuation in the program. Production assignments are regulated to serve the artistic growth of students thus coordinating production experience with class room exploration.

The study of human communication allows students to develop critical thinking skills, an understanding of cultural and gender-related differences in how people communicate, and it sharpens their marketable skills such as writing, public speaking and persuasion.

Students with a B.A. in human communication pursue jobs in a wide range of industries including management, sales, human resources, higher education (admissions and student services), marketing and training. Many students also continue their education in graduate school, law school and business or professional graduate degree programs.

Students must choose one track from the following: General Human Communication, Business and Professional Communication, Health Communication, Interpersonal Communication, or Social Innovation and Activism.

The UCF Department of Statistics & Data Science acquaints students with in the methods of collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation and organization of data and the use of complex data in many different applications. The department offers two undergraduate degrees, one in statistics and one in actuarial science; an M.S. degree with two tracks in data mining and statistical computing; and SAS certificate program and a Ph.D. degree in big data analytics.

The BA in Criminal Justice program at UCF is uniquely designed to provide you with a broad understanding of crime and society’s control mechanisms, as well as to prepare you for a professional career in criminal justice and related professions. You’ll learn how to take a broad yet specialized degree and apply it to the operations of criminal justice professions, such as law enforcement, courts, corrections, advocacy (domestic violence, human trafficking, elderly abuse), juvenile justice and cybersecurity. Along the way, mix your academic experience with practical application through internships, study abroad and experiential learning.

The Ecology, Evolutionary and Conservation Biology (EECB) track is designed for students to learn about biological systems ranging from the smaller scale processes that occur within cells up to, and including, larger scale processes that result in the diversity and dynamics of ecological communities.  This track emphasizes courses in genetics, taxonomic diversity, structural biology, ecology, evolution, and physiology.  Courses such as Conservation Biology, Population Genetics, Biogeography, and Evolutionary Biology introduce students to a solid understanding of the natural world.  Other courses such as Disease Ecology & Eco-immunology, specialized lab courses and experiential learning opportunities broaden the experience that students receive.  This track allows for significant opportunities for independent research working with professors and their graduate students in both laboratory and field settings. The EECB track prepares students for graduate study at any major university or immediate employment with local, state and federal agencies, with the private sector (e.g., environmental assessment firms), and/or privately-funded environmental and conservation organizations.

The Kinesiology B.S. Exercise and Sport Physiology track is appropriate for students interested in pursuing careers in sport science, health promotion, medicine, wellness, sports medicine, and allied health (i.e. physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, and corporate wellness). Students who may be continuing on to graduate school in a clinical or medical area should consider pre-requisites for graduate school when choosing certain classes. Students are advised to check the Graduate Program's website for updated information, as well as the Undergraduate Catalog for appropriate General Education courses.