Interdisciplinary Concentration

The Interdisciplinary Concentration allows students to pursue their interests in a second studio area outside of their major by taking a self-directed series of elective courses based on specific educational goals.

The Interdisciplinary Concentration (IC) - Students choose courses as electives in consultation with the Chairs or advisors in both their home department and the department of their IC, as well as with the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. Students pursuing an Interdisciplinary Concentration may take between 14 and 20 elective credits depending on the curricular requirements of their major.

Participating Departments
Eligible students in Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Communication Arts, Digital Media, Fine Arts, and Product Design departments may pursue an Interdisciplinary Concentration by taking courses in Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Communication Arts, Digital Media, Fine Arts, Product Design, and/or Toy Design on a space available basis. Fashion Design courses currently are not available as elective courses to students outside of the major. Because of the curricular requirements of the Fashion Design and Toy Design programs, students in these majors are not able to participate in the Interdisciplinary Concentration.

Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements
Students must have a cumulative and semester grade point average of 3.0 or higher to pursue an Interdisciplinary Concentration. Students may apply for the Interdisciplinary Concentration before registration advisement for either the first or second semester of the sophomore year. Under limited circumstances, students may begin the Interdisciplinary Concentration in the first semester of the junior year. Students will be allowed to register for courses on a space-available basis. Space availability in courses is not guaranteed, but registering early will significantly increase the chances of getting elective classes. Any student enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Concentration program whose semester or cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 3.0 will be placed on “warning.” Two consecutive semesters on “warning” will automatically cause students to default out of the interdisciplinary Concentration program.

The Application Process
Students need to complete Declaration of Minor/Interdisciplinary Concentration form, available on the Interdisciplinary Studies home page or at the Registration Office. The application includes a statement written by the student that describes the goals of the Interdisciplinary Concentration, and verification of the student's GPA by the Registrar. The student’s home Department Chair, Chair(s) of the concentration department(s), and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies must approve the application. Approval for specific elective courses rests with the student's home Department Chair or advisor as well as the department(s) offering chosen elective courses.

Transfer Students
Transfer students who apply for and are accepted into the Interdisciplinary Concentration upon entering the College need to fulfill degree program requirements through an appropriate combination of transfer courses and courses completed at Otis. Transfer students must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher upon entering the College to be eligible for the Interdisciplinary Concentration.

Interested Students should see the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies.

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