Interdisciplinary programs are those that are co-sponsored by two or more departments. Generally a student chooses an adviser from one of the sponsoring departments. Individually created programs are developed by a student and a faculty member to meet an individual need or interest not offered in a formalized program.

Baccalaureate Degree Interdisciplinary Programs

Secondary Education General Science Major

The biology, chemistry, education, geography, physics departments along with the Seaborg Center for Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics cooperatively offer a general science major for students interested in certification to teach general science at the secondary school level.

General science majors must minor in one of the following secondary education areas:

All students majoring in general science must complete the State of Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) subject examinations in two areas: science and the appropriate subject of the minor option selected for endorsement on one’s teaching certificate—either biology, chemistry, earth science or physics.

Students majoring in secondary education general science must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.70 with no grade below a "C" in the professional education sequence, the major and/or minor and required cognates combined.

Social Science Major

The economics, geography, history, political science and public administration and sociology and social work departments cooperate to offer a major in social science. Areas of concentration correspond with departments: economics, geography, history, political science and sociology. Advisement is provided to students by the department selected as the concentration.

Technical Communications Major

This major is tailored to meet the needs of contemporary technical communicators, so students will take courses emphasizing both the practical ends of the major (such as graphic arts, writing and desktop publishing) and courses dealing with the theoretical considerations implicit in an ever-evolving, technological workplace (such as global communications, message design and argumentation). Because a variety of minor options will complement this major, students may select a minor, in consultation with an adviser, which best suits individual needs. The art and design, communication and performance studies and the English departments provide student advisement.

Associate Degree Interdisciplinary Program

Associate of Applied Science in General University Studies

The associate of applied science in general university studies is designed to fulfill several objectives. First, it provides a point of access into the university for individuals seeking a post secondary education at the two-year level. Second, the program provides maximum flexibility for students who are either undecided about their career plans or wish to build a program that suits their unique interests. And third, this program provides an opportunity for individuals wishing to build their academic skills in preparation for admittance into a restricted program.

Interdisciplinary Minor Programs

Gender Studies Minor

The gender studies minor explores the significance and meaning of gender in human experience, including the roles, status and accomplishments of women and men within a number of academic fields. Such courses bring new scholarship on gender studies and related feminist theory into the university curriculum, and offer students an opportunity to integrate the perspective of several disciplines into their program. Advisement is provided by Maya Sen, Psychology Department.

Labor Studies Minor

The labor studies minor provides students with the knowledge of labor organizations, their functions, their role in society and their future prospects. The minor focuses on the areas of collective bargaining, grievance processing, contract administration, arbitration, labor history, social inequality, labor law, and leadership skills. Student completing the core courses are also awarded the certification in labor leadership. Advisement is provided by Dr. Russ Magnaghi in the history department.

Individually Created Programs at NMU

Individually Created Program (ICP) Baccalaureate Degree

This program is designed for students with clearly defined educational goals that do not correspond with existing programs at Northern Michigan University. It leads to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree with the term "Individualized Studies" appearing in place of the major on the transcript. Students in consultation with their advisers develop a program of individualized concentration which is then submitted to the Individually Created Programs Committee. Students can select their own advisers or obtain advice in the Degree Audits Office about which advisers might be most suitable.

Once the program is drawn up and approved by the Individually Created Programs Committee, an approved outline is filed with the Degree Audits Office as an official contract. Any changes in the contract are submitted to the Individually Created Programs Committee and filed. The committee may withdraw approval on the recommendation of the adviser in cases where the student’s academic capacities clearly fall short of the stated goals.

Special Studies Certificate

This is a one year program leading to a certificate. Students design a program to meet their specific needs and interests. The program is designed for those students for whom an associate or baccalaureate degree is not an immediate goal. They can later, if they wish, use this program as a basis for meeting the requirements of a degree program. Students who enter this program develop a course of study, in conjunction with an adviser, on a form provided by the Degree Audit’s Office.

The area of concentration emphasizes a specific area of interest or professional development. The student, with the approval of the adviser, chooses courses from either a single discipline or a combination of disciplines. The student uses courses from one or more disciplines as cognates to support the area of concentration.

Students must obtain a grade of "C" (2.00) or better in the area of concentration in order to graduate.

Interdisciplinary Certification

Labor Studies Certification

The labor studies certification program is intended for union members, union officers, potential union members and aspiring union leaders who are interested in developing their knowledge, leadership skills and perspective through a study program for effective participation in their own union and the labor movement.