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Four-Year GuideIndividually DesignedBS772A2025-26Appalachian State University
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
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This four year guide is a recommended semester-by semester plan of study for this major. All four year guides are meant to be an example of how a degree can be completed in four years. Individual plans will be developed for each student in consultation with their academic advisor. Prior credit, course availability, and student needs must be considered in developing the individual plan.
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Semester HoursCourse NameCredit HrMin GradeIn Major GPAImportant Notes
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Semester 1
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Semester Hrs:RC 10003
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16Gen Ed Science Inquiry4
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Gen Ed Placeholder 13See General Education Requirements section below.
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Gen Ed Placeholder 23See General Education Requirements section below.
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Gen Ed Placeholder 33See General Education Requirements section below.
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Semester 2
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Semester Hrs:UCO 12003
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16Gen Ed Wellness Literacy2
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Gen Ed Quantitative Literacy4
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Gen Ed Science Inquiry4
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Gen Ed Placeholder 43See General Education Requirements section below.
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Semester 3
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Semester Hrs:RC 20013
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14Gen Ed Placeholder 53See General Education Requirements section below.
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Gen Ed Placeholder 63See General Education Requirements section below.
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IDS 20022X
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Minor Course 13
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Semester 4
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Semester Hrs:Major IDS Elective Course 13XMajor requires 6 hours IDS courses at or above 3000 level
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15Individually Designed Contract Course 13X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Individually Designed Contract Course 23X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Minor Course 23
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Minor Course 33
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Semester 5
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Semester Hrs:IDS 30033X[WID]
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15Major IDS Elective Course 23XMajor requires 6 hours IDS courses at or above 3000 level
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Major IDS (or affiliated) Elective Course 13XMajor requires 6 hours AS, GLS, GWS, HON, IDS, or WRC courses at or above the 2000 level (cannot double count "Major IDS Elective Course" 1 and 2 above)
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Individually Designed Contract Course 33X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Minor Course 43
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Semester 6
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Semester Hrs:Major IDS (or affiliated) Elective Course 23XMajor requires 6 hours AS, GLS, GWS, HON, IDS, or WRC courses at or above the 2000 level (cannot double count "Major IDS Elective Course" 1 and 2 above)
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15Individually Designed Contract Course 43X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Individually Designed Contract Course 53X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Minor Course 53
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Minor Course 63
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Semester 7
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Semester Hrs:Individually Designed Contract Course 63X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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15Individually Designed Contract Course 73X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Individually Designed Contract Course 83X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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[FAD] or Free Elective3See [FAD] Foundations of American Democracy in the notes below.
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Free Elective(s)3Free elective hours may vary based upon courses double counting within the General Education and the major chosen. A minimum of 120 total hours are required to earn a degree at App State.
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Semester 8
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Semester Hrs:IDS 40041X[CAP]
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14Individually Designed Contract Course 93X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Individually Designed Contract Course 103X*See Program of Study Contract area on the POS for more information.
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Free Elective(s)7
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Total Hours120Program of Study (POS)
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General Requirements Summary
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Minimum Total HoursGen Ed. HoursMajor GPAOverall GPAWriting
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120412.002.00RC 1000 and RC 2001
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General Education Requirements - 41 Semester Hours Total
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Program CategoriesHoursImportant Notes – Be sure to check for Gen Ed courses required in your major
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First Year Seminar3Can be taken first or second semester of freshman year.
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Wellness Literacy2
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Quantitative Literacy4
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First Year Writing3Can be taken first or second semester of freshman year
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Sophomore Writing3
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Humanity and Its Systems (HUM), Intercultural Literacy (ICL) and Sustainability & Climate Literacy (SCL)18Choose at least one course from each of the three categories. As part of those course choices, be sure to also choose at least one course for each of the 4 required designations [(FA), (LS), (HS), (SS)].
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Science Inquiry8It is possible to take up to 10 hours of Science Inquiry courses, depending upon your choice of science. 8 hours is the minimum requirement. If you take a 10 hour science sequence, you will have 2 fewer Free Elective hours needed to reach 120 total hours.
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Total:41
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You must also meet the Fine Arts, Literary Studies, Historical Studies, and the Social Science Designation requirements. Those should be met within the courses students choose for the SCL, HUM or ICL course requirements. The FAD (Foundations of American Democracy) course can be taken as part of General Education coursework, Major coursework or Minor coursework.
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Foundations of American Democracy
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The [FAD] requirement may be fulfilled with General Education Courses, Major Courses or Minor Courses. Which one is best for a student will depend upon their chosen major/minor. A list of courses that will fulfill this requirement can be found here: LINK to Foundations of American Democracy Information. The General Education Checksheet shows these courses with an American Flag icon.
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Additional Notes:
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Major GPA *Program of Study Contract Information
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Major GPA calculation will include all courses taken in the major discipline, plus any other courses under major and concentration requirements.This contract will consist of a minimum of 30 semester hours selected from two or more disciplines with at least 12 semester hours at the 3000 level or above; at least 1 credit approved experiential education (internship, study abroad, instructional asst., etc.). The contract may be changed, but only with the approval of the IDS advisor and the department chair. A copy of the approved contract must be on file in the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office.
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Residency Requirements:
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30 hours overall must be from App State
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18 hours in the major must be from App State
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9 hours in the minor must be from App State
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Please consult with your advisor to ensure you will complete the appropriate number of free electives as needed to reach the 120 total hours required for your degree.
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