Interdisciplinary studies is an expanding, exciting academic area in which students study, conduct research, and do creative work in subject areas that span multiple traditional academic disciplines. It has developed out of recognition that responses to complex problems and challenges require a combination of the intellectual tools available from a wide range of academic disciplines. Students with interdisciplinary studies backgrounds are well-prepared for the fluidly changing realities of the professional world as well as future study in an ever more interdisciplinary academic arena.
The Interdisciplinary Studies Department provides a number of major, minor, and concentration programs for students interested in subjects that span multiple traditional academic disciplines. The growing list includes the following options:
- Self-designed interdisciplinary major of Liberal Studies
- Minors (18 credits) in African and African Diaspora Studies; Asian Studies; Ethnic Studies; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Concentrations (15 credits) in Environmental and Sustainability Studies; Ethnic Studies; Global Studies; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Some courses in these areas are offered by the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, while many other courses are offered in other departments across the university’s curriculum. Worcester State’s Student Planning platform allows students to search for all courses offered in a given semester in a specific program.
Student Stories
Liberal Studies at Worcester State
Journalist, author, and humorist Mo Rocca to speak on campus
Appearing in partnership with the Museum of Worcester, the Emmy-winning CBS correspondent Mo Rocca is set to speak at Worcester State University on December 3. Rocca is famous for his humorous yet poignant storytelling, which touches on everything from presidential history to inventors past and present. Fittingly, the event will feature Rocca sharing “stories that […]
Students, donors celebrate record-breaking scholarship support
Nearly 300 donors and students gathered on campus recently for the university’s Scholarship Brunch. Held annually, the event connects scholarship donors and recipients, giving them the chance to meet in person, often for the first time, and to build relationships with one another. This year’s brunch was particularly special, as it coincided with record-breaking scholarship […]
Journalist Jonathan Martin Discusses the State of American Politics at Worcester State University
Political journalist Jonathan Martin visited Worcester State University on October 22 to participate in a discussion on the current state of American politics. Martin, politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at Politico, was joined onstage by two university political science faculty members, Anthony Dell’Aera and Nathan Angelo, who took turns posing wide-ranging questions for […]
Eminent political journalist Jonathan Martin to speak at Worcester State
Jonathan Martin, influential political journalist and fellow at the University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future, will visit Worcester State University for an in-depth conversation on politics and journalism in the present time. The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Sullivan Auditorium and is free and open […]
Worcester State University celebrates diverse identities at annual Unity Day
Worcester State University held its second annual Unity Day on Sept. 25, a campus-wide celebration designed to promote greater understanding, respect, and inclusion. Originally planned for an outdoor setting, heavy rain forced organizers to move the festivities indoors to the Blue Lounge in the Student Center. However, the change in venue did not dampen the […]
Nafisa Tanjeem receives international award for impactful scholarship
The International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) has awarded its prestigious 2025 Public Scholarship Award to Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, associate professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Worcester State University. The award recognizes excellent interdisciplinary research that has had a demonstrable impact on pressing public issues and honors Tanjeem’s impactful […]
Unfiltered Femininity exhibition curated by alumna Jennessa Burks opens at campus gallery
Unfiltered Femininity, an open-call exhibition curated by Jennessa Burks with artworks juried by Worcester artists Amora and Rixy will open June 5 at the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery at Worcester State University. The opening reception will take place that same day from 4-7p.m. and is free and open to the community. Unfiltered Femininity, which features […]
Worcester State Students Advocate for Financial Aid in Washington
Four Worcester State University students were among 25 students from seven local colleges and universities who recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for federal student financial aid programs with members of Congress. The students, many of whom are from out-of-state districts represented by Republicans, discussed the importance of preserving key aid programs like Pell […]