Online Programs

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Both degrees offered through the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies are available for completion as online degrees. Selection of concentrations may be limited based on online course offering during semesters of enrollment, but all General Education Curriculum (GEC or "core"), Major, and many elective hours are available.

Specific information regarding admission and degree requirements can be found at:

Online General Education Curriculum

The following courses within the General Education Curriculum are typically available during each academic year:

GEC 01. Written Communication

ENG 101: Composition One
ENG 102: Composition Two

GEC 02. Natural Science and Mathematics

BSC 103, BSC 103L: Biology and Society (MSVCC)
BSC 110, BSC 110L: Principles of Biological Sciences I (MSVCC)
BSC 111, BSC 111L: Principles of Biological Sciences II (MSVCC)
CHE 104, CHE 104L: Chemistry & Our Environment (MSVCC)
CHE 106, CHE 106L: General Chemistry I (MSVCC)
CHE 107, CHE 107L: General Chemistry II (MSVCC)
PHY 111, PHY 111L: General Physics I (MSVCC)
PHY 112, PHY 112L: General Physics II (MSVCC)
MAT 100: Quantitative Reasoning
MAT 101: College Algebra
MAT 102: Brief Applied Calculus
MAT 103: Plane Trigonometry
MAT 167: Calculus I with Analytic Geometry

GEC 03. Humanities

ENG 203: World Literature
HIS 101: World Civilization I
HIS 102: World Civilization II (MSVCC)
PHI 151: Introduction to Philosophy
REL 131: Comparative Religion

GEC 04. Aesthetic Values

ART 130: Art Appreciation
DAN 130: Dance Appreciation
MUS 165: The Enjoyment of Music

GEC 05. Social and Behavioral Sciences

ANT 101: The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity
ECO 101: Basic Economics
GHY 101: World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
PS 101: American Government
PSY 110: General Psychology
SOC 101: Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology

GEC 06. Computer Competency Requirement

CSC 100: Introduction to Computing
LIS 201: Introduction to Information Literacy

GEC 08. Speaking-Intensive Requirement

CMS 111: Oral Communication (MSVCC)

Semester availability of specific GEC courses can be found through the Office of the Registrar.

Information on the complete General Education Curriculum (GEC) can be found in the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin.

Online Major Courses

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

IDS 201: Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar
IDS 301: Foundations of Interdisciplinary Inquiry
IDS 350: Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies
IDS 401: Integrative Research Methods and Design
IDS 402: Integrative Capstone Experience

Bachelor of Liberal Studies

BLS 401: Research Seminar
BLS 491: Leadership Experience
BLS 402: Capstone Supplement

Online Concentrations and/or Minors

As multi-disciplinary degrees students complete coursework chosen from programs across the University. Not all concentrations or courses are offered online, and online students should explore our online offerings before declaring a major as a fully online student.

The following concentrations and/or minors can be completed fully online:

Business Administration (2015-2016 requirements)
Industrial Engineering Technology (2015-2016 requirements)
Library and Information Sciences (2015-2016 requirements)

Academic units are making preparations for the following minors/concentrations to be available online beginning Fall 2016:

Child and Family Studies
Non-Profit Studies
Sociology
Tourism Management

Other Online Offerings

In addition, many individual courses at Southern Miss are offered online. For a list of online courses offered this academic year see the Class Schedule Guide on the Registrar’s website (http://www.usm.edu/registrar/class-schedule-guide). Students in online programs are also eligible to take General Education Courses offered through the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC), as long as no online version of the course is offered through Southern Miss directly.

Program Rankings

The University of Southern Mississippi has been ranked the No. 1 college in the state of Mississippi for online education (https://online.usm.edu/blog/best-online-college-in-mississippi/). Indeed it’s online programming places it in the top fifty universities in the country (http://www.thebestschools.org/rankings/best-online-colleges/). The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies is proud to be a part of these successful online programs, and offers all of its own courses online and face to face.