School of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Studies
School of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Studies
The School of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Studies (SIUS) is the academic unit of Walden University responsible for the general education curriculum, as well as the Bachelor of Science in Communication program. Faculty in the school represent the wide array of disciplines contained in general education in addition to communication.
SIUS collaborates with Walden’s other colleges and schools in the planning and delivery of undergraduate degree programs. The school also collaborates with Walden’s student support units to build and maintain an enriching learning experience for undergraduate students.
School Mission
School Mission
Walden University’s School of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Studies provides a diverse community of learners—including career starters, changers, and advancers—the opportunity to develop as professional leaders who create positive social change in their communities. Through Walden’s scholar-practitioner model, students enhance and develop professional skills. Graduates contribute to the well-being of their communities by helping to solve contemporary problems.
The School of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Studies is the academic unit responsible for the General Education curriculum, a component of all Walden baccalaureate degree programs. The school collaborates closely with other Walden colleges and schools in the planning and delivery of undergraduate degree programs, particularly as they relate to general education.
The school’s faculty members represent the wide array of disciplines contained in its General Education and BS Communication programs. The school collaborates with all academic and student support units in support of a positive university experience for undergraduate students.
Programs
Other Undergraduate Options
Undergraduate Minors
Undergraduate Minors
Students have the option to select a minor after starting their undergraduate program. Unlike an undergraduate concentration, a minor must be in a discipline outside the student’s major. Students should verify individual requirements for each minor, including which programs are ineligible. An undergraduate minor consists of six or more courses with a minimum of two at the upper level. Students wishing to add a minor to their program should contact their student success advisor. Students may select a maximum of two minors.
General Education Curriculum
Bachelor’s degree programs at Walden University combine academic study with real-world applications to prepare students for today’s competitive economy and society in business, technology, education, social, behavioral, and health sciences. General education courses blend with degree program courses to provide the breadth and depth of knowledge needed by the 21st-century citizen.
Walden’s general education outcomes focus on communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, integrative learning, global learning, and social change. Students apply their learning as they complete coursework in communication, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. These competencies prepare students for diverse public and professional lives where they will help shape a changing global community.
Learning Outcomes
Through the general education program, the bachelor’s degree graduate of Walden University will
- Employ appropriate written and oral communication techniques in a variety of contexts. (Communication)
- Interpret information and diverse points of view to make informed decisions. (Critical Thinking)
- Apply ethical reasoning to practical situations. (Ethical Reasoning)
- Synthesize learning from at least two fields of study to address problems individually and in collaboration with others. (Integrative Learning)
- Explain a variety of different perspectives, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion interests, to present a position on a public issue. (Civic and Global Learning)
- Examine the influences of social structures on the self, society, and civic engagement. (Social Change)
General Education Areas and Requirements
(Minimum of 45 credits total, see individual program requirements)
Note: A minimum of 60 quarter credits* must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000 or 4000 level courses as either general education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.
* Some programs may require a more than 60 credits to be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level. Please consult the catalog page for your specific page.
Written and Oral Communications
(Minimum of two courses; ENGL 1010 is required)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Humanities
(Minimum of two courses; HMNT 1001 or HMNT 1002 may be required by program)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
OR
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Mathematics/Natural Sciences
(Minimum of two courses)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Social Sciences
(Minimum of two courses)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Programs Requiring Specific General Education Courses
BS in Communication
The BS in Communication program offers a comprehensive approach to the study of communication, integrating topics from interpersonal, organizational, digital, marketing, public speaking, mass media, public relations, and crisis communication. The program invites students to apply foundational theories of communication and encounter the best thinking across the various fields of communication studies. Because communication is relevant to every human endeavor, the program spans academic disciplines and societal boundaries leading to real life applications. This multidisciplinary approach extends to Communication students selecting a concentration that produces graduates with practical communication skills needed for success in personal, communal, and professional settings. Emphasis is given to the development of strong communication skills leading to ethical human interaction in diverse environments.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this program, students will be able to:
- Articulate the importance of thoughtful message creation and delivery in personal, family, work, social, political, and community life.
- Demonstrate active listening skills to effectively receive, process, and respond to verbal and nonverbal communication delivered through various communication channels.
- Identify the influences that organizational and societal structures, practices, and paradigms have on access to communication modalities, as well as the content of messages delivered in social media, political discourse, mass communication, and interpersonal interactions.
- Evaluate the implications of ethical choices in a situation and their impact on the communication process and outcomes for all stakeholders.
- Synthesize diverse contexts and worldviews into effective communication practices accommodating difference, demonstrating respect for diversity and uniqueness, and creating opportunities for collaboration.
- Distinguish among communication platforms and approaches to select those most appropriate for delivery of a specific message to a target audience.
Degree Requirements
- 181 total quarter credits
- General education courses (46 credits)
- Core courses (50 credits)
- Concentration courses (0–25 credits, depending on concentration)
- Elective courses (55–80 credits, depending on concentration)
- Capstone course (5 credits)
Curriculum
General Education Courses (46 credits)
See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.
Note: A minimum of 60 quarter credits must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000 or 4000 level courses as either general education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.
Core Courses (50 credits)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Concentration Courses (0–25 credits)
These courses are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the course list on each concentration page.
Electives (55–80 credits)
Electives are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the elective requirements on each concentration page.