Undergraduate

Multidisciplinary Studies, B.M.D.S. (MDS)

Combine three minors to create a customized major that fits your interests and goals.

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Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMDS)

Male student studying at table with laptop computer and open textbook — "As an aspiring attorney, the MDS program provided me with a strong foundation that will aid me in viewing the law and legal matters from historical, sociological, and political perspectives. This will, in turn, help me to become a well-rounded attorney."

Athen Walton

2024 MDS graduate

About the Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies

Career paths and academic interests often go beyond the limits of traditional majors.

With a Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies (MDS) degree, students combine three minors to form one degree. MDS allows students to create a personalized approach to their education and develop a multi-faceted skillset—all while earning an adaptive four-year degree.

Whether you're aiming for graduate school—such as medical school, law school, or an MBA program—or exploring diverse fields like economics, secondary education, or entrepreneurship—this versatile degree puts you in control of your future.

MDS Program Application Degree Plan

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Program Information

Program Type

Major

Area of Study

General Studies

School

Office of General Studies

Duration

4 years (less with transfer credit)

Degree

B.M.D.S. in Multi-Disciplinary Studies

Program Location

Emphases

3+3 Law (optional)

Required Credit Hours

120

Multi-Disciplinary Studies Director

MDS gives you the flexibility to explore multiple fields while honing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Building a multi-disciplinary foundation allows you to thrive in a complex, ever-changing job market. I invite you to explore the possibilities and take charge of your education in a way that truly reflects your goals.

Andrew Pfrenger

Instructional Assistant Professor and Director of Multi-Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Studies

Did You Know?

Choose from over 90 minors across multiple Schools and Colleges.

minors are currently offered fully online

Ours Students Become

State Senators
Taylor Medalists
Entrepreneurs
Digital Marketers
UM Hall of Famers
Human Resource Specialists
Attorneys
Olympians
Community Health Researchers
Neuroscientists
Air Force Pilots
Community Leaders
Secondary School Teachers

What to Expect from the Multi-Disciplinary Studies Degree Program

The Multi-Disciplinary Studies program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to create a personalized academic journey that opens endless pathways.

The MDS degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, which includes:

30-32 hours of General Education Requirements
Completion of 3 separate minors (roughly 54 credit hours)
MDS 499 – Multi-Disciplinary Studies Capstone Course
Electives to bring the total minimum number of hours to 120

Most minors are 18 credit hours, though some require as little as 15 or as many as 21 hours.

All minor requirements must be met as detailed in the respective catalog the student is following.

The MDS 499 Capstone Course, taken during senior year, serves as a culminating educational experience. Students reflect on their undergraduate journey, assess what they've learned through the MDS program, and plan for life after graduation.

This course helps students effectively use the knowledge and experience gained from their multi-disciplinary major to achieve their personal and professional goals. Throughout the course, students engage in readings, discussions, and career & professional development— including resume building and graduate school preparation.

Degree Plan

In addition to being two different types of bachelors degrees, the key difference between Multi-Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary studies lies in how the interest areas are approached and how knowledge is applied:

Multi-Disciplinary Studies (Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies)
Multi-Disciplinary Studies involves exploring multiple fields separately, understanding each from its own perspective. This approach allows you to gain a broad range of knowledge and apply it to various fields and occupations, making you versatile and adaptable in the job market. MDS allows you to have a specialized degree that can be applied to both specialized fields or across a range of careers.

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MDS Program Application

Interdisciplinary Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
Interdisciplinary Studies asks students to integrate knowledge across different fields to create a new understanding or solve complex problems. In interdisciplinary work, students synthesize insights from multiple disciplines, developing a deeper view on a topic.

In the Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies program, each student is assigned an academic advisor on their campus. Before priority registration for the Fall and Spring semesters, MDS students meet with their advisor to discuss their progress toward their degree, review their GPAs, and select courses for the next semester.

While students must still follow the UM catalog and meet the requirements for their degree and minors, MDS advisors are there to help you plan your path for graduation and navigate procedures and policies.

Find My Advisor

To declare MDS as your major, please fill out the form linked below with your basic academic information and plans. This will help us review your academic goals to provide the best advice for your intended degree plan.

To complete the Google form, you must log in with your go.olemiss.edu email address, assigned to you after admittance to the university. This ensures FERPA-related content is protected through encryption.

Once you fill out the form, you will receive a welcome email from our records coordinator and an invitation to set up your first advising appointment.

Apply to MDS

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