Admissions and Planning

Apply to the Interdisciplinary Studies program

Before submitting the required documentation, please review the steps for admission to a graduate degree at the University of North Texas. Then, submit the following items or information:

• Graduate school application 
• A non-refundable $75 application fee
• Written theme statement (500-700 words) and other supplemental documents (see step 3)
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (cumulative or last 60 hours)
• GRE or GMAT scores not required
• International applicants: Learn more about additional international admission requirements.

Additional instructions:

• When filling out the GradCAS application, select “Interdisciplinary Studies” as your major. Existing concentrations are listed as sub-plans. Self-styled degree applicants should leave the sub-plan blank.
• Current students who would like to change their major to Interdisciplinary Studies should email the INSD advisor, Audra O'Neal at INSD@unt.edu.  Please include your eight digit student id number and your current program and include that you are looking to change your major to INSD.
• For international applicants only: Copies of UNT transcripts do not need to be sent to Graduate Admissions. Graduate Admissions is able to temporarily process applications with unofficial documents from some universities outside of the United States. However, official transcripts will be required prior to the beginning of the semester. Call 940-565-2383 or email us for more information if you have any questions.

Submit Your Required Supplemental Documents

The following supplemental materials must also be submitted via the GradCAS application portal.

Required documents:

• Theme Statement*
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• IF YOU KNOW THAT YOUR GPA IS BELOW A 3.0,  please submit an Academic Performance Statement (submit this document under 'Admissions Supporting Documents.'  This document should explain why your GPA is low (what lead to the decline in your GPA), what did you learn to help turn your GPA around and what you will continue to do to make sure that you are on the right track to maintain a 3.0. 

*Theme Statement

All students in the Interdisciplinary Studies program must complete a theme statement. This should state why you would like to blend together coursework from more than one academic area to achieve your academic and/or career goals in a brief and clearly expressed manner. You should also include your anticipated learning outcomes and what you expect to have learned by the end of the program. Be specific, but also concise.

Contact the Interdisciplinary Studies Academic Counselor

As you begin evaluating what the Master of Science or the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies could do for you, it is very important that you communicate with the program academic counselor. There are general and program specific admission requirements. The academic counselor will answer your specific questions about the Interdisciplinary Studies program and will serve as a constant point of reference for you regarding program requirements.

If you seek to retool or strengthen your credentials for your career, be sure to discuss with your academic counselor how the Interdisciplinary Studies program may help you reach your goals. While the Interdisciplinary Studies master’s degree is often an excellent means for advancement, it may not be the best choice for your specific situation. For example, if your goal is to teach university-level history and you currently hold a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, a self-styled degree in Interdisciplinary Studies may be too broad to prepare you appropriately for the competitive market of academia. Your success is our highest priority, and we will help you consider all of your options. For questions or an appointment with the Interdisciplinary Studies academic counselor, please contact Audra O'Neal at INSD@unt.edu or 940-565-4787.

Enroll in Classes

If admitted to the Interdisciplinary Studies program, your academic counselor will work with you on class registration. Be sure that you have received the academic advising you need. You may need to get approval codes for certain classes from the course instructors or other representatives of the departments in which you are taking courses each semester. If a course has prerequisites, do not register for that course unless you meet those prerequisites.

UCRS classes are interdisciplinary in nature and are among the courses available to Interdisciplinary Studies students. Though these are 6000-level doctoral courses, they are sometimes available to master’s students. Remember that any doctoral courses listed on your master’s degree plan will not count toward an eventual doctorate if you choose to continue your education at UNT. You are free to take undergraduate courses, but only graduate-level classes (5000-level courses or above) count toward a master’s degree.