Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) Degree
Program Learning Outcomes for the MIS Degree
Upon completing the MIS degree, students will be able to:
- Analyze complex issues through multidisciplinary lenses and synthesize insights to develop innovative, human-centered solutions using both creative and evidence-based approaches. (Critical, Creative, and Analytical Thinking)
- Integrate perspectives and methodologies from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and arts to examine real-world problems with a nuanced understanding of human culture, behavior, and values. (Interdisciplinary Knowledge Integration)
- Apply academic research methods to evaluate critically sources and synthesize information in order to construct clear, well-supported arguments. (Academic Research and Inquiry)
- Communicate interdisciplinary ideas clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms, and collaborate productively across diverse academic and professional contexts. (Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership)
- Engage respectfully with diverse cultures, identities, and viewpoints to foster inclusive and collaborative environments in professional, academic, and community settings. (Cultural Competency)
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and adapt knowledge and skills in response to evolving societal needs, technological advancements, and global challenges. (Lifelong Learning and Adaptability)
Requirements for the MIS Degree
The MIS degree is a non-thesis master's degree. For general university requirements, see Non-Thesis Master's Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, please see All Graduate Students. Students pursuing the MIS degree must complete:
- A minimum of 12-13 courses (34-37 credit hours) to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 34 credit hours of graduate-level study (graduate semester credit hours, coursework at the 500-level or above).
- A minimum of 28 graduate semester credit hours must be taken at Rice University.
- A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken in standard or traditional courses (with a course type of lecture, seminar, laboratory, lecture/laboratory).
- A minimum residency enrollment of one fall or spring semester of part-time graduate study at Rice University.
- A maximum of 2 courses (6 graduate semester credit hours) from transfer credit. For additional program guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework.
- A minimum program GPA of 3.00 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies requirements for the non-thesis master’s degree with a minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) in each course.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this degree program. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the program's academic advisor or, where applicable, the department or program's Director of Graduate Studies. Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the department or program's Official Certifier. Additionally, these course substitutions must be approved by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the MIS Degree | 34-37 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| INDS 500 | THE INTERDISCIPLINARY MIND: LIBERAL ARTS AND THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE 1 | 3 |
| Select 1 course from each of the following fields (see course lists below): 2 | 9 | |
Humanities | ||
Social Sciences | ||
Natural Science | ||
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 6 elective courses from MLSC course offerings at the 500-level or 600-level 3 | 18 | |
| Capstone | ||
| INDS 699 | CAPSTONE SEMINAR | 1 |
| Select 1 from the following: 4 | 3-6 | |
| CAPSTONE I | ||
| CAPSTONE II | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 34-37 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | All students must take INDS 500 in their first semester of study. |
| 2 | The core requirements are designed to acquaint first-year students with contrasting perspectives and methodological approaches that define academic inquiry in the three broad fields of humanities, social sciences, and natural science. Core courses must be completed before courses that satisfy the electives can be taken. |
| 3 | The six (6) electives beyond the core requirements may focus on just 1 field (humanities, social sciences, or natural science) or may be chosen more broadly. |
| 4 | The capstone coursework is designed to help students integrate their knowledge through writing an extended paper or completing a project to be presented to MLS faculty and students. Students may take 1 semester (INDS 701) or 2 semesters (INDS 700 and INDS 701) to complete the capstone project. |
Course Lists to Satisfy Requirements
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| EAST ASIAN FOOD HISTORY | ||
MLSC 501 | ||
MLSC 505 | ||
MLSC 510 | ||
MLSC 517 | ||
MLSC 526 | ||
MLSC 533 | ||
MLSC 536 | ||
MLSC 537 | ||
MLSC 539 | ||
MLSC 541 | ||
MLSC 542 | ||
MLSC 543 | ||
MLSC 544 | ||
MLSC 545 | ||
MLSC 547 | ||
MLSC 548 | ||
MLSC 549 | ||
MLSC 551 | ||
MLSC 554 | ||
MLSC 555 | ||
MLSC 556 | ||
MLSC 557 | ||
MLSC 559 | ||
MLSC 560 | ||
MLSC 561 | ||
MLSC 562 | ||
MLSC 563 | ||
MLSC 566 | ||
MLSC 567 | ||
MLSC 572 | ||
MLSC 573 | ||
MLSC 574 | ||
MLSC 576 | ||
MLSC 577 | ||
MLSC 578 | ||
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| HUMAN RIGHTS IN WORLD AFFAIRS | ||
MLSC 509 | ||
MLSC 519 | ||
MLSC 523 | ||
MLSC 526 | ||
MLSC 533 | ||
MLSC 536 | ||
MLSC 539 | ||
MLSC 541 | ||
MLSC 549 | ||
MLSC 555 | ||
MLSC 557 | ||
MLSC 561 | ||
MLSC 564 | ||
MLSC 568 | ||
MLSC 569 | ||
MLSC 570 | ||
MLSC 571 | ||
MLSC 576 | ||
MLSC 578 | ||
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Science | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
MLSC 502 | ||
MLSC 506 | ||
MLSC 508 | ||
MLSC 513 | ||
MLSC 515 | ||
MLSC 525 | ||
MLSC 532 | ||
MLSC 538 | ||
MLSC 540 | ||
MLSC 546 | ||
MLSC 550 | ||
MLSC 552 | ||
MLSC 553 | ||
MLSC 558 | ||
MLSC 565 | ||
MLSC 575 | ||
MLSC 604 | ||
Policies for the MIS Degree
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Handbook
The General Announcements (GA) is the official Rice curriculum. As an additional resource for students, Interdisciplinary Studies publishes a graduate program handbook, which can be found here: https://gradhandbooks.rice.edu/2025_26/Interdisciplinary_Studies_Graduate_Handbook.pdf.
Admission
Admission to graduate study is open to qualified students holding a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum GPA of 3.00 from the applicant’s undergraduate work is expected. Additionally, a statement of purpose, resume, writing samples, letters of recommendation, and work experience will be evaluated as part of the admissions decision.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content) and by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Program Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the MIS degree should be aware of the following program-specific transfer credit guideline:
- No more than 2 courses (6 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the degree.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Interdisciplinary Studies website: https://mis.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the MIS Degree
Fifth-Year Master's Degree Option for Rice Undergraduate Students
In certain situations and with some terminal master's degree programs, Rice students have an option to pursue a master’s degree by adding an additional fifth year to their four years of undergraduate studies.
Advanced Rice undergraduate students in good academic standing typically apply to the master’s degree program during their junior or senior year. Upon acceptance, depending on course load, financial aid status, and other variables, they may then start taking some required courses of the master's degree program. A plan of study will need to be approved by the student's undergraduate major advisor and the master’s degree program director.
As part of this option and opportunity, Rice undergraduate students:
- must complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree and the master's degree independently of each other (i.e. no course may be counted toward the fulfillment of both degrees).
- should be aware there could be financial aid implications if the conversion of undergraduate coursework to that of graduate level reduces their earned undergraduate credit for any semester below that of full-time status (12 credit hours).
- more information on this Undergraduate - Graduate Concurrent Enrollment opportunity, including specific information on the registration process can be found here.
Rice undergraduate students may have the option to pursue the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) degree. For additional information, students should contact their undergraduate major advisor and the MIS program director.
Association of Graduate Liberal Studies National Honor Society
MIS graduates who earn a 3.75 GPA or higher and have demonstrated leadership in the classroom and in the greater community are eligible for nomination to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies National Honor Society.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Interdisciplinary Studies website: https://mis.rice.edu/.