Oct 13, 2024  
2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog

Interdisciplinary Studies, BSIS


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University Core Curriculum Requirements


A. Communication


B. Mathematics


C. Life and Physical Science


D. Language, Philosophy and Culture


E. Creative Arts


F. American History


G. Government/Political Science


H. Social and Behavioral Science


Three hours from:


I. Component Area Option


Support/Pre-Professional


Interdisciplinary Studies Major


Select one of the concentrations listed below:

Interdisciplinary Studies Common Requirements


The following are required for all the concentrations under this major unless otherwise noted.

Additional Mathematics (for all concentrations except Mathematics 4-8)


Three additional math hours excluding MATH 1332. 

Additional Sciences (for all concentrations except Science 4-8)


Four additional science hours.

Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading Concentration


Special Education Concentration


Students who want to teach special education will major in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in special education.  The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.

The undergraduate program is designed to prepare students for certification as an EC-12 special education teacher, meaning the individual can teach all grade levels from early childhood through the 12th grade.

Core Subjects 4-8 with Science of Teaching Reading Concentration


Additional Sciences


Six hours of additional science coursework in addition to the hours listed for all concentrations.  A total of ten hours of additional science for this concentration.

English/Language Arts/Reading 4-8 Concentration


Required Courses


Three hours of:

4-8 English/Language Arts/Reading


English Electives

Fifteen hours from ENGL courses (2000-3000 level). 

Advanced English Electives

Six hours from ENGL courses (3000-4000 level). 

Mathematics 4-8 Concentration


Science 4-8 Concentration


Social Studies 4-8 Concentration


Education Studies Concentration


This is a non-certification concentration.

Education Studies Options


Complete 20-21 hours from one of the following options:

Option 4

For students who once pursued English, Language Arts and Reading 4-8.

Option 5

For students who once pursued Mathematics 4-8.

Option 6

For students who once pursued Science 4-8.

Option 7

For students who once pursued Social Studies 4-8.

Professional Education Requirements


For Core Subjects EC-6


For Special Education


For all 4-8 Concentrations


Field Experience I


For Core Subjects 4-8

Three hours from each of:

For Mathematics 4-8

Three hours of:

For Science 4-8

Three hours of:

For Social Studies 4-8

Three hours of:

For Core Subjects 4-8

Three hours of:

Pedagogy in Practice


Clinical Teaching


Six hours of:

Distance Education Completer Programs


Grades EC-6


Candidates who have at least 45 hours of coursework (with 3.0 GPA) listed in the concentration Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading may apply for the online certification program. Candidates must be accepted to SFA prior to acceptance to the Link-Ed Online Program. To be eligible, candidates must be:

  • Candidates who are full-time paraprofessionals in a TEA accredited school and working in an academic placement within a grade level associated with their desired certification area of EC-6.
  • Candidates who live 60 miles or more from the SFA campus.
  • Candidates who are enrolled in a Link-Ed Partnership School (Angelina College, Brazosport ISD, Panola College), completed their Associates of Arts in Teaching, and are transferring to SFA to complete a bachelor’s degree in education.

Candidates must provide confirmation from a TEA accredited school district that placement opportunities will be provided in appropriate classroom settings throughout the candidate’s course of study. 

Grades 4-8


Candidates who have at least 45 hours of coursework (with 3.0 GPA) listed in one of the concentration areas for 4-8 Teaching may apply for the online certification program. Concentration areas for 4-8 include Core Subjects 4-8 with Science of Teaching Reading, Mathematics 4-8, English/Language Arts/Reading 4-8 with Science of Teaching Reading or Social Studies 4-8. Candidates must be accepted to SFA prior to acceptance to the Link-Ed Online Program.  To be eligible candidates must meet one of the criteria listed below.

  • Candidates who are full-time paraprofessionals in a TEA accredited school and working in an academic placement within a grade level associated with their desired certification area of 4-8.
  • Candidates who live 60 miles or more from the SFA campus.
  • Candidates who are enrolled in a Link-Ed Partnership School (Angelina College, Brazosport ISD, Panola College), completed their Associates of Arts in Teaching, and are transferring to SFA to complete a bachelor’s degree in education.

Candidates must provide confirmation from a TEA accredited school district that placement opportunities will be provided in appropriate classroom settings throughout the candidate’s course of study. 

General Electives


The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Total hours: 120


Grade Requirements


  • A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
  • A C average in work completed in the major field
  • A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement


Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program


All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information  catalog page.

Degree Map for Core Subjects EC-6 Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Summer


  • D. Language, Philosophy and Culture Credit(s): 3

Sophomore Year


Spring


Summer


  • I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3

Junior Year


Senior Year


Degree Map for Special Education Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Fall


Spring


Junior Year


Senior Year


Fall


Degree Map for Core Subjects 4-8 Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Fall


Spring


Junior Year


Senior Year


Degree Map for English/Language Arts/Reading 4-8 Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Summer


  • I. Component Area Option for all Concentrations Credit(s):​​​​​​​ 3

Sophomore Year


Fall


Spring


  • Credit(s): 3
  • Additional Mathematics (for all concentrations except Mathematics 4-8) Credit(s): 3
  • Additional Sciences (for all concentrations except Science 4-8) Credit(s): 3-4
  • English Electives Credit(s): 6

Junior Year


Senior Year


Fall


Degree Map for Mathematics 4-8 Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Fall


Spring


Junior Year


Senior Year


Degree Map for Science 4-8 Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Summer


  • E. Creative Arts Credit(s):​​​​​​​ 3

Sophomore Year


Fall


Spring


Junior Year


Spring


Senior Year


Fall


Degree Map for Social Studies 4-8 Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Fall


Spring


Junior Year


Fall


Spring


Senior Year


Degree Map for Education Studies Concentration


The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this concentration.

Freshman Year


Fall

Sophomore Year


Fall

Spring

  • Credit(s): 3
  • I. Component Area Option for all Concentrations Credit(s): 3
  • Additional Mathematics (for all concentrations except Mathematics 4-8) Credit(s): 3
  • Additional Sciences (for all concentrations except Science 4-8) Credit(s): 4
  • Credit(s): 3
  • Education Studies course listing and/or selected Option Credit(s): 3

Junior Year


Fall

Spring

  • Education Studies course listing and/or selected Option Credit(s): 12

Senior Year


Fall

Spring

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