“Our hope is that we will attract students interested in jobs that we previously did not have a specific major for, even if the chance to design their own major was available. The content was there, but putting together all of the pieces can be burdensome for a freshman. We believe that creating this major will help students take the best classes we have to offer as they prepare for their future career,” said Kerr.
GROWING IN STEWARDSHIP
NEW MAJOR ADDS 15 PROGRAMS OF STUDY
T
his fall, Sterling College will offer 15 new programs of study under one new major, interdisciplinary studies. Through combining existing coursework from established programs of study, unique concentrations that span two or more disciplines are now available to students. “Sterling College needs to be able to attract more students, but adding wholly new majors can be very expensive. To be good stewards of our resources, this strategic approach was developed to expanding meaningful, quality offerings with limited additional cost,” said Dr. Gregory P. Kerr, vice president for academic affairs. “We knew that we could more easily offer unique programs to the students who wanted certain interdisciplinary majors, so we made creating those areas of study a priority. The faculty from several departments came together to build a set of classes that they knew would best prepare students for a given field. We used the experience of our faculty, members of the National Advisory Council, and other respected professionals to put together the course requirements for each concentration,” said Kerr.
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FALL 2014 STERLING
The concentrations under the interdisciplinary studies major include: biological mathematics, business mathematics, business ministry, criminal justice administration, educational ministry, liberal arts, media ministry, musical theatre, performing arts ministry, political studies, pre-forensic science, sport communication, sport ministry, sport writing and wildlife law enforcement. “Some of the new concentrations might be very popular, in which case those particular programs of study would then be launched as separate majors. But even the ones that do not populate well can be offered in a sustainable and economical manner even for a few students given the design of these programs,” said Kerr.
“OUR HOPE IS THAT WE WILL ATTRACT STUDENTS INTERESTED IN JOBS THAT WE PREVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE A MAJOR FOR... We believe that creating this major will help students take the best classes we have to offer as they prepare for their future career."
Sterling College has recognized the diverse needs of students for several years through the existing independent interdisciplinary major. The onus, however, has always been on the student to take the appropriate steps for forming a plan and completing the paperwork to create an interdisciplinary major. Students are encouraged to double major or add minors that would enhance their major. This usually requires students to enter college with both majors and minors declared, and strategically plan their four years well in advance. There are students who successfully complete such goals, but students who decide during their sophomore or junior year to switch to a different area of study may face additional semesters beyond the traditional four years. ■