Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. (University College)

Program Code: 2LAUC_AA

Program Description

The objectives of the Multidisciplinary Studies major are to broaden the student's understanding, interests, and skills; to help the student become a more responsible, productive member of the family and community; and to offer a degree program with sufficient electives to permit some specialization according to the student's interests or career plans. Multidisciplinary Studies is a complete two-year degree major. However, graduates who later seek admission to baccalaureate degree majors may apply baccalaureate credits toward the new degree.

In addition to a wide variety of baccalaureate majors offered at University Park campus, graduates of the Multidisciplinary Studies major may qualify for admission to the baccalaureate degree majors in Behavioral Sciences, Elementary Education, Humanities, or Public Policy offered at Penn State Harrisburg. Or they may qualify for any of a large number of baccalaureate degree majors offered by Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in business, the liberal arts, and sciences.

Entrance to Major

Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to change to this Associate degree after admission to the University.

Degree Requirements

For the Associate in Arts degree in Multidisciplinary Studies, a minimum of 60 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 21
Electives 15
Requirements for the Major 30

6 of the 21 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes 6 credits of General Education GWS courses.

Requirements for the Major

The required credits of General Education and Requirements for the Major must be baccalaureate-level courses. For students intending to seek admission to a baccalaureate program upon graduation, it is recommended that most, if not all, of the courses be at the baccalaureate level. For those students who will seek a bachelor of arts degree upon graduation from Multidisciplinary Studies, it is strongly recommended that a world language be taken since admission to a bachelor of arts program in the College of the Liberal Arts requires one college-level course, or the equivalent, in a world language.

Courses that will satisfy the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and quantification requirements are defined on the Multidisciplinary Studies checksheet, which may be obtained from the College of the Liberal Arts associate dean for undergraduate studies at the University Park campus or from any Multidisciplinary Studies representative at other locations.

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CAS 100Effective Speech3
ENGL 15Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select one of the following:3
ENGL 202A
Effective Writing: Writing in the Social Sciences Keystone/General Education Course
ENGL 202B
Effective Writing: Writing in the Humanities Keystone/General Education Course
ENGL 202C
Effective Writing: Technical Writing Keystone/General Education Course
ENGL 202D
Effective Writing: Business Writing Keystone/General Education Course
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3 credits in any course designated as arts3
Select 3 credits in any course designated as humanities3
Select 3 credits in any course designated as social and behavioral sciences3
Select 3 credits in any course designated as physical, biological, or earth sciences3
Select 9 credits in any one of the following areas: arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences and quantification, and world language skills 19
1

If world language courses are chosen, it is recommended that these courses be in one world language sequence.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all associate degree students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 3 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 3 credits

Knowledge Domains

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Note: Up to six credits of Inter-Domain courses may be used for any Knowledge Domain requirement, but when a course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement, the credits from the course can be counted only once.

Exploration

  • Any General Education course (including GHW and Inter-Domain): 3 credits

University Degree Requirements

Cultures Requirement

3 credits of United States (US) or International (IL) cultures coursework are required and may satisfy other requirements

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 60 degree credits must be earned for a associates degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 60 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Program Learning Objectives

Brandywine Campus

  • Communicating Across Perspectives: Students will be able to communicate and engage meaningfully and respectfully with others who have different perspectives or world views.
  • Knowledge: Students will demonstrate proficient academic knowledge of key theories and approaches in more than one academic or professional discipline.

DuBois Campus

  • Students will be able to communicate clearly and persuasively the integration of their learning of multiple disciplines in a degree program that reflects their theme.
  • Students will be able to apply empirical or creative process specific to their fields of specialization.
  • Students will be able to synthesize multiple disciplinary perspectives into an intellectual or professional identity.
  • Students will be able to engage meaningfully and respectively with others who have different perspectives or world views.

Fayette, Scranton, Shenango Campuses

  • Liberal Arts: Students will be able to achieve the basis for a liberal arts education.
  • Communication: Students will be able to achieve communication skills to pursue study in a variety of disciplines.
  • Career: Students will be able to identify a variety of courses that will bring familiarity with and facilitate pursuit of their career and educational goals.

Hazleton Campus

  • Liberal Arts Education: Students will be able to achieve the basis for a liberal arts education.
  • Communication: Students will be able to achieve communication skills to pursue study in a variety of disciplines.
  • Professional: Students will be able to identify a variety of courses to help select later career and educational goals.

Mont Alto Campus

  • Liberal Arts: Students will be able to achieve the basis for a liberal arts education.
  • Communication: Students will be able to achieve communication skills to pursue study in a variety of disciplines.
  • Career: Students will be able to identify a variety of courses that will bring familiarity with and facilitate pursuit of their career and educational goals.

New Kensington Campus

  • Communication: Students will be able to effectively communicate in written, oral, visual and/or multimedia formats.
  • Problem Solving: Students will be able to apply logical reasoning and critical thinking skills to deliberative problem solving scenarios.
  • Synthesis: Students will be able to apply a foundation in Liberal Arts education toward to the articulation of an intellectual or professional pathway.

Schuylkill Campuses

  • Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills
  • Ethical: Students work toward becoming responsible citizens who lead rich, ethical, and self-examined lives
  • Research: Students will be able to apply research methodologies specific to their fields of specialization
  • Theme: Students will develop and follow a program focusing on a theme that has personal and/or professional application
  • Written and Oral Communication: Students will be able to employ clear and persuasive written and oral communication in a course, learning fair, scholarly project, or other academic/professional venue

Wilkes-Barre Campus

  • Research proficiency focused on writer's purpose and audience's needs
  • Critical thinking, sound reasoning, and astute analysis of written documents, situations, and people, leading to logical conclusions
  • Application of theory to create a persuasive point of view
  • Communication skills to clearly convey argued points to a target audience
  • Technological literacy that enables the effective creation and delivery of documents via various electronic media, with attention to message content, page layout, and graphical elements

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Brandywine

Paul deGategno
Professor of English
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1465
pjd15@psu.edu

DuBois

Jackie Atkins/Anthony Vallone
Co-Program Coordinators Letters, Arts, and Sciences
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4815 or 814-375-4814
jka1@psu.edu or ajv2@psu.edu

Fayette

Lindsey Simon-Jones
Associate Professor
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4249
lmj133@psu.edu

Hazleton

Charles Dewald
Program Coordinator, Multidisciplinary Studies
Butler 203
76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3558
cxd35@psu.edu

Mont Alto

Megan Lundy
DUS Academic Adviser
1 Campus Drive
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6055
mol7@psu.edu

New Kensington

Ruth Ann Herstek
Academic Adviser
Academic & Career Success Center
3550 Seventh Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6094
rah32@psu.edu

Schuylkill

Nicole Andel
Teaching Professor, English and Humanities
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6088
nikki@psu.edu

Scranton

Paul Perrone
Assistant Teaching Professor
13 Library Building
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2660
pjp3@psu.edu

Shenango

Amy Petrucci-Effinite
Manager & Academic Advising
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2860
alp23@psu.edu

Wilkes-Barre

Christyne Berzsenyi
Program Coordinator, Letters, Arts, and Sciences
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9275
cab39@psu.edu

Abington

Pierce Salguero
Program Chair, Integrative Arts
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7826
salguero@psu.edu

Altoona

Jennifer E. Slusser
Academic Adviser, Program Specialist, Division of Undergraduate Studies
Smith Building C112
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5084
jzg3@psu.edu

Berks

Thomas Lynn
Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
Franco 117
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6298
BKLettersArtSci@psu.edu

Erie

Patrick Cosby, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor of History
154 Kochel Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6970
phc14@psu.edu

Harrisburg

Adam Gustafson, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W356
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6675
arg18@psu.edu

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Brandywine Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15*‡†3CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C*‡†3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
Supporting Course*3General Education Course3
Elective3Supporting Course*3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Supporting Course*3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D*3
Supporting Course*3Related Area Course*3
Related Area Course*3Related Area Course*3
US or International Cultures Course or Elective3Writing Across the Curriculum or Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits 60
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at DuBois Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 153CAS 100A3
General Education Course (Arts)3General Education Course (Quantitative)3
General Education Course (Humanities)3General Education elective (Humanities, Social Sciencs, Natural Sci, or Quantitative3
General Education Course (Social Science)3General Education Course (Arts)3
General Education Course (Natural Science)31st Arts or 1st Humanities or 1st Science or Any Foreign Language3-4
 15 15-16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 202 (A,B,C or D)33rd Arts, Humanities, Social Science or Natural Science/Quantitative or Any Foreign Language3-4
General Education Course- Social Sciences3Any Arts, Humanities, Soc Science, Natural Science or Quantitative with an IL designation3
General Education Course- Natural Science3Elective within any General Education area3
General Education Course- Humanities3Any Arts, Humanities, Soc Science, Natural Science or Quantitative with a US designation3
2nd Arts, or 2nd Social Science or 2nd Nat Science/Quantitative or Any Foreign Language3-4Any General Education with a W suffix3
 15-16 15-16
Total Credits 60-63
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Fayette Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15 or CAS 100‡†3ENGL 15 or CAS 100‡†3
Quantification (GQ)*3-4General Education Course (GA, GH, GS, or GN)3
Arts- Major Selection*3General Education Course (GA, GH, GS, or GN)3
Humanities- Major Selection*3Physical, Biological, or Earth Science- Major Selection (GN)*3
General Education Course (GA, GH, GS, or GN)3Major Emphasis Selection (GA, GH, GS, GN, or WL)*3
PSU 81 
 16-17 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Major Emphasis Selection (GA, GH, GS, GN, or WL)*3ENGL 202- Effective Writing (A, B, D, or C) ‡3
Social Sciences- Major Selection*3Major Emphasis Selection (GA, GH, GS, GN, or WL)*3
Writing Across the Curriculum (W)3General Education Course (GA, GH, GS, or GN)3
US or IL Cultures3Elective 3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits 61-62
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Hazleton Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15 or 30H*† 3CAS 100*†3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
PSU 81 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Education Course3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D*13
Related Area Course*13Writing Intensive Course13
Related Area Course*13Supporting Course13
Related Area Course*13Supporting Course13
Supporting Course13Supporting Course13
 15 15
Total Credits 61
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

1

 Consultation with adviser is recommended for proper course selection

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Mont Alto Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15 (GWS)‡3CAS 100A (GWS)‡3
PSU 81General Education Course†3
General Education Course (GQ)‡3Major Requirements (Social Sciences)*3
General Education Course†3Major Requirements (Humanities)*3
General Education Course†3Elective3
General Education Course†3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Major Requirements (Natural Sciences)*3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D (GWS)‡3
Major Requirement (Arts)*3Related Area Course*3
Related Area Course*3Related Area Course*3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits 61
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes:

  • The associate degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences (2LAUC_AA) is a degree which allows learners to experience a variety of academic disciplines as well as prepare for continued studies in a bachelor degree program.
  • Please consult your adviser if you have a particular bachelor degree in mind.
  • Your adviser can help build a plan to help you meet any admission or course prerequisite requirements for the bachelor degree.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at New Kensington

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15 or 30H3CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Education Course3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D3
Related Area Course3Writing Intensive Course3
Related Area Course3Supporting Course3
Related Area Course3Supporting Course3
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
 15 15
Total Credits 60
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Schuylkill Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15, 15E, or 30H*‡† 3CAS 100A*‡†3
General Education Course (GQ)‡39 Credit Area (GA, GH, GS, GN, GQ, FL)*3
General Education Course (GA, GH, GS)3Physical, Biological, or Earth Science *3
General Education Course (GA, GH, GS)3General Education Course (GH)*3
General Education Course (GN)3General Education Course (GA)*3
PSU 82 
 17 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
9 credit area (GA, GH, GS, GN, GQ, FL)*3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D (GWS)*3
General Education Course (GA, GH, GS)3General Education Course (GS)*3
Writing Across the Curriculum (W)3Elective3
US or IL Cultures3Elective1
Elective39 Credit Area (GA, GH, GS, GN, GQ, FL)*3
 15 13
Total Credits 60
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Integrative Studies (either Inter-domain or Linked Courses)

Integrative Studies may be completed within the 30 Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.  For Inter-domain courses, credit may apply to both Knowledge Domain designations but does not reduce the total number of credits within the Knowledge Domains and at least 3 credits of single-domain coursework are required in each of the 5 Knowledge Domains.  Linked courses used for the Integrative Studies requirement must represent two different Knowledge Domains.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Scranton Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15 or 30H (GWS)†3CAS 100A (GWS)*†3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
General Education Course*39 credit area (GA, GH, GS, GN, WL)*3
Quantification (GQ)3General Education Course3
Physical, Biological or Earth Science (GN)*3General Education Course3
PSU 8 (Recommended)0-1 
 15-16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
9 credit area (GA, GH, GS, GN, WL)*3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D (GWS)*3
General Education Course*39 credit area (GA, GH, GS, GN, WL)*3
Writing Across the Curriculum (W)3General Education Course3
US or IL Cultures3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits 60-61
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes:

  • As long as one GA, GH, and GS are taken, the order in which they are completed is not important.
  • A student's career and graduate school plans should be considered when developing an individual academic plan.  
  • Be sure to consult an adviser in this department when scheduling courses.

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Shenango Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Art Elective (GA)3Art Elective for Major (GA)3
ENGL 15‡†3CAS 100A†3
Humanities Elective (GH)3Elective - General Elective Course3
Natural Science Elective (GN)3Quantification Elective (GQ)‡3
Social Science Elective (GS)3Social Science Elective for Major (GS)3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Elective - Concentration Area Elective3Elective - Concentration Area Elective3
Elective - Concentration Area Elective3Elective - General Elective Course3
Elective - General Elective Course3Elective - General Elective Course3
Elective - General Elective Course3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D3
Humanities Elective for Major - W or Y (US), (USI), or (IL)3Natural Science Elective for Major (GN)3
 15 15
Total Credits 60
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Program Notes

Students must complete a 3-credit course in "United States Cultures (US)" or a 3-credit course in "International Cultures (IL)."

Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A. at Wilkes-Barre Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15*‡†3CAS 100*‡†3
General Education Course(GQ)*‡†3General Education Course3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
General Education Course*3General Education Course3
PSU 81 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Education Course3ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D*‡†13
Related Area Course*13Writing Intensive Course13
Related Area Course*13Supporting Course13
Related Area Course*13Supporting Course13
Supporting Course13Supporting Course13
 15 15
Total Credits 61
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

1

 Consultation with adviser is recommended for proper course selection.

Contact

Brandywine

25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1465
pjd15@psu.edu

https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/associate-degrees/multidisciplinary-studies

DuBois

1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4815 or 814-375-4814
jka1@psu.edu or ajv2@psu.edu

https://dubois.psu.edu/academics/degrees/mds

Fayette

2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4249
lmj133@psu.edu

https://fayette.psu.edu/academics/associate/letters-arts-and-sciences

Hazleton

Butler 203
76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3558
cxd35@psu.edu

https://hazleton.psu.edu/associate-arts-multidisciplinary-studies

Mont Alto

1 Campus Drive
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6055
mol7@psu.edu

https://montalto.psu.edu/academics/associate/associate-letters-arts-sciences-degree

New Kensington

3550 Seventh Street Rd.
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6094
rah32@psu.edu
   
https://newkensington.psu.edu/academics/2-year-letters-arts-sciences

Schuylkill

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6088
nikki@psu.edu

https://schuylkill.psu.edu/academics/assoc-degrees/las

Scranton

13 Library Building
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2660
pjp3@psu.edu

https://scranton.psu.edu/academics/degrees/associate/multidisciplinary-studies

Shenango

147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2860
alp23@psu.edu

https://shenango.psu.edu/academics/degrees/2-year-multidisciplinary-studies

Wilkes-Barre

44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9275
cab39@psu.edu

https://wilkesbarre.psu.edu/academics/associate/multidisciplinary-studies

Abington

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7826
salguero@psu.edu

https://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/associate-degree-programs/multidisciplinary-studies

Altoona

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Smith Building C112
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5084
jzg3@psu.edu

https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/associate-degrees/multidisciplinary-studies/contact-information

Berks

DIVISION OF HUMANITIES, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Franco Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6298
BKLettersArtSci@psu.edu

https://berks.psu.edu/academics/multidisciplinary-studies

Erie

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Irvin Kochel Center
4951 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu

https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Olmsted Building, W356
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6596
dzs640@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/humanities/multidisciplinary-studies-aa

University Park

118 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1438
laadvising@psu.edu

World Campus

118 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1438
laadvising@psu.edu

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-multidisciplinary-studies-associate-in-arts-degree