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.


Local pastor joins Worcester State to lead spiritual life program
For many students, college is a time of personal reflection, exploring beliefs and discovering who they are as individuals. Andy Haynes, Worcester State University’s new coordinator of spiritual life, wants to be a part of these conversations with students moving forward. Haynes joins Worcester State with more than 15 years of experience in ministry, and […]

University gallery presents “joy, color, life” with new LGBTQIA+ Pride exhibit
The exhibition features works by 31 regional artists, including two students. Artist Paul Leone’s intricate, expertly crafted bowl on display in the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery’s juried Open Doors: A Celebration of Pride exhibition tells a story even more meaningful than the stunning intertwining of silk, bamboo, cotton, threads, and acrylic materials used to create it […]

Jay Punsky named men’s ice hockey coach
Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Athletics Department and the Director of Athletics, Michael Mudd are pleased to announce the hiring of Jay Punsky as the new Head Coach of Lancer’s Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Punsky, who will be the Lancers eighth head coach in program history, will take over duties from MASCAC Co-Coach of the Year […]

Women’s lacrosse prospect clinic scheduled for Sept. 24
A date for the 2023 Worcester State University Women’s Lacrosse Fall Prospect Clinic has been officially announced. The annual clinic will be held on Sunday, September 24 at 9 a.m. All camps and clinics hosted by Worcester State Athletics will follow the health and safety guidelines set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. […]

Alumnus leaves rare book collection to university
Robert Mullin ’53, MEd ’56 was a generous benefactor of his alma mater for his entire life. When he passed away in 2021 at the age of 91, he left one more gift: his Manhattan apartment and its contents. Those contents included several rare books, which are now part of the Worcester State Library collection. […]

Belmont Community School dedicates portrait of educator and alumna Sarah Ella Wilson
Members of Worcester’s education community gathered at Belmont Community School in June for a song-filled, joyful dedication of a newly discovered portrait of longtime educator Sarah Ella Wilson, an 1894 graduate of Worcester Normal School, now Worcester State University. Wilson was among the first Black school teachers in Worcester and taught at Belmont for 49 […]

University celebrates LGBTQIA+ students at first Lavender Graduation
Worcester State University honored lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally students to acknowledge their achievements and contributions at its first Lavender Graduation May 10. “This was a great event filled with support, hope, and joy,” said Alison Park, assistant director of the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, which hosted the event. There were about 70 people […]

University raises Stop Asian Hate flag
Worcester State students, faculty, and staff gathered around the Student Center’s Common Ground space in support of the Asian members of the Worcester community. The ceremony started at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, with speeches about the ongoing hatred and discrimination towards Asian Americans and was followed by the raising of the Stop Asian […]