Multidisciplinary Studies Degree Plan

The below Online MDS Degree curriculum shows the requirements for your degree. The University Foundations general education courses are required for all bachelor degrees at Boise State. These may be met through transfer coursework, or will be incorporated into your program of study.

Multidisciplinary Studies Degree Requirements

University Foundations Courses

These University Foundations courses may be met through transfer coursework, or they may be incorporated into your program of study at Boise State. They are required in order to earn your bachelor’s degree.

Required Courses

MDS 305 Introduction to Multidisciplinary Studies
Explore academic and career goal-setting, the connection of theory to practice, academic culture, academic integrity, the vital nature of an academic support community, and the qualities of a reflective and adaptive learner. PREREQ: Admission to the MDS Program.

MDS 315 Integrative Learning
Explore the theory and practice of integrative learning and the skills and strategies necessary to develop an integrative mindset, to integrate personal histories and experiences with new ideas, and to become a reflective and adaptive learner. COREQ: BAS 305 or MDS 305.

MDS 375 Perspective Taking
Examine an issue from multiple perspectives and learn to broadly and accurately grasp other viewpoints, to identify the differences between them, to discover the common ground they share, and to evaluate their soundness. COREQ: MDS 315.

MDS 385 Asking Questions and Framing Problems
Question a practical problem holistically to identify its conditions and costs, to discover new connections and relationships, and ultimately, to recognize, understand, and clearly articulate its breadth and complexity. COREQ: MDS 315.

MDS 492 Proposal for Capstone Project
Design and plan a personally and professionally relevant capstone project. COREQ: MDS 375 and MDS 385 and permission from the instructor.

MDS 495 Capstone Project
Finalize and present an approved capstone project and write a culminating self-evaluation. COREQ: MDS 492 and permission from the instructor.

Elective Courses

MDS 301: Prior Learning Portfolio Development
Discuss and apply prior learning frameworks and methods for presenting experiences outside of a traditional classroom as verifiable college-level learning. Create a Prior Learning Portfolio, which includes an educational narrative, a skills-based prior learning resume, and relevant supporting documentation, and earn academic credit by taking the program-prepared challenge exams for specific courses. (Pass/Fail.) PREREQ: permission from the instructor.

COMM 341: Nonverbal Communication
This course examines the function of nonverbal behavior codes in communication.

MDS 410 Case Studies in Leadership
Introduces and analyzes effective leadership styles. Leadership practices and models are applied to case studies. Through various forms of reading, writing, presentations, video and/ or multi-media, students will apply theories to assess their own leadership style and identify styles of popular companies/people. Completion of LEAD 325 is recommended. COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or MDS 305, or permission from the instructor.

MDS 420 Globalization
Introduces the historical and modern phenomenon of Globalization. Various themes in globalization will be studied, including: economics, national powers, history, trade, environment, religion, and education. Each module will introduce particular aspects of globalization. COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or MDS 305, or permission from the instructor.

BAS 425: Creating a Culture of Safety
Study of safety as a vital element of human behavior in society, business, and industry. Examines the safety responsibilities of leaders, managers, and supervisors, focuses on developing skills in planning, implementation, awareness, monitoring, and risk management, and covers governmental influence, hazard awareness and control, operational considerations in the workplace, accidents, and planning. COREQ: BAS 305 OR MDS 305 or permission from the instructor.

MDS 430 Ethics
Examines universal ethics principles and standards practiced across various disciplines. Exploration of personal and professional conduct and social responsibility in the light of existing ethical, moral and social values across disciplines will also be discussed. Designed to enable students to form individual positions on ethical conduct and social responsibility, this course both identifies and applies ethical principles to real-world situations. COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or MDS 305, or permission from the instructor.

MDS 440 Project Management and Design
Develops a foundation of concepts that support the project management process groups required for successful implementation and completion of a project. Principles and applied techniques of effective planning, communication, risk, schedule, and cost management are major themes discussed in this course. COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or MDS 305, or permission from the instructor.

MDS 450: Creativity and Collaboration
Explore and apply the elements of a creative and collaborative mindset to generate original and adaptive solutions to challenging problems. Review and practice the stages of the creative process, from risk to revision, and set individual goals to develop more deliberate and productive creative collaborations. COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or MDS 305, or permission from the instructor.

MDS 460: Dimensions of Wellness
Evaluate personal wellbeing, from nutrition and self-awareness to sleep and stress management. Explore both the eight dimensions of wellness and proven resilience and health strategies and create a holistic personal growth and wellness plan. COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or MDS 305, or permission from the instructor.

MDS 493: Internship
A supervised on-site or remote experiential learning opportunity. Deepen critical knowledge areas, enhance professional skills, and reflect on applied work experiences and academic and professional goals. Internships can be in any field or area of interest and require the approval of the Internship Coordinator. Once credit equals 45 hours of on-site or remote field work. May be repeated up to a maximum of 9 credits. PREREQ: permission from the instructor.

The sample schedule below is a general guide of the courses you will take and when they can be completed if you are starting the program with 90 or more credits and have met Boise State’s University Foundation general education requirements. You will work closely with your academic advisor to arrange your degree plan after you are admitted to the program and complete new student orientation.

Full-Time Sample Schedule – 30 Credits

12 Months

Part-Time Sample Schedule – 30 Credits

20 Months

The sample schedule below is a general guide of the courses you will take and when they can be completed if you are starting the program with 60 or more credits. You will work closely with your academic advisor to arrange your degree plan after you are admitted to the program and complete new student orientation.

Full-Time Sample Schedule – 60 Credits

20 Months

Part-Time Sample Schedule – 60 Credits

24 Months

The Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) Internship provides academic credit for on-the-job experience under the guidance of a supervisor who is a professional in the field. Internships require approximately 45 hours of work for each hour of academic credit awarded. An internship experience offers students:

• Practical, hands-on work experience
• The opportunity to see first-hand whether a particular field is a good match
• The chance to practice what you have learned in the classroom
• First-hand knowledge of an organization
• The ability to earn academic credit
• The potential to earn money while also taking classes
• The opportunity to network and make valuable connections for future jobs
• Experience in resume writing and interviewing

Is an Internship Right for You?

Are you interested in maximizing your educational experience and putting yourself in a better position for future success? Do you know that over 80% of all college students graduate with an internship experience? Do you know that many organizations use their internship program as an applicant pool from which to draw on when hiring for full-time employment?

MDS students enrolled in both the Flex and Online tracks may earn up to 9-credits* of internship toward their degree plan. Contact your academic advisor to discuss whether an internship is right for your academic goals.

You must complete 45 hours of work at your internship in order to earn 1-credit. Be sure to work with your internship supervisor and academic advisor to determine how many credits are appropriate.

(*493 Internship, 494 Conference or Workshop, and 496 Independent Study are limited to a combined total of 9-credits)

How to Enroll in a Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS 493) Internship

Once you’ve decided that an internship is right for your academic goals, follow these steps to get enrolled in MDS 493.

1. Identify an internship opportunity.
2. Schedule an appointment with the MDS Internship Coordinator, Baker Lawley, by emailing bakerlawley@boisestate.edu.
3. Apply online through the Career Center website. (Click on the Internship Application for Academic Credit. You will find MDS 493 listed under Department: College of COAS and Subject: Multidisciplinary Studies.)
4. Complete the internship online orientation workshop and quiz.