Interdisciplinary Studies
with a Concentration in Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies
The interdisciplinary studies program offers a unique opportunity to gain skills highly valued in organizations and workplaces, such as analysis, planning and training, and development. Additionally, students work closely with their advisor to select courses outside the program to align with their career objectives and area of specialization.
The Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies offers individualized programs with flexible delivery and scheduling for working professionals.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Shailen Singh
s_s980@txstate.edu
512.716.4541
Avery Building (AVRY), Room 464K
“The simplest way to describe the O.W.L.S. department is that they simply cater to the adult student and make achieving the goal of obtaining a master’s degree enjoyable and possible. Many of the specialized courses in this program were specifically designed to facilitate adult learning and provided useful tools that are realistic to any workplace.”
— Jason Castillo, M.S.I.S. ’12
Course Work
Course schedules are flexible to accommodate the needs of working professionals, located on campus in San Marcos or Round Rock or online. Many hybrid classes allow students to complete work online and attend face-to-face classes, allowing for personal and professional interaction.
Students gain general skills for application in professional organizations, as well as more specialized skills in their area of focus. Course work can include Texas State certificates in areas such as certified public manager, professional ethics, and corporate communication and training. An exit module emphasizes analysis and real-life problem-solving.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S.I.S. | 39 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.A.I.S. | 39 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| Texas State Round Rock Campus This program can be completed in Round Rock, though taking courses in both San Marcos and Round Rock will result in quicker degree completion. |
|
| Online Availability The majority of this program may be offered online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. International students, please visit International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) regarding additional considerations in taking online courses. |
Students come from varied areas including public safety administration, training and development, and communication. Students have the opportunity to work, publish and present with faculty.
Program Mission
The Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University prepares students for careers through high-quality academic, professional, and technical programs.
The interdisciplinary studies program highlights the dynamic and flexible nature of today’s workplace, including organizational systems, trends, and issues in the workforce, leadership, and technology as a change agent. Because of varied student backgrounds, both the master of science in interdisciplinary studies (M.S.I.S.) and the master of arts in interdisciplinary studies (M.A.I.S.) degrees strive to provide individualized course work for each student based on career experience, needs, and goals.
Program Faculty
The program faculty include individuals with a variety of backgrounds, specializing in teaching adult students who are working professionals.
They are established scholars in leadership, adult learning, organization development, and online learning. All are trained in advanced teaching modalities for graduate courses, whether they are online or hybrid. Several have won prestigious awards for their teaching and other faculty work.
Career Options
Upon graduation, students will be prepared for many career fields including:
- training and development
- human resources
- performance coaching
- public management
- organizational leadership
- career and technical education
- organizational development
- public safety
- community leadership
- public service
- community development
Application Process
|
|
Application Deadline This program has a flexible deadline, which means applications received after the posted deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees for admission consideration. |
|
|
Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
|
|
Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee(s)
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
If your last-60-hours GPA does not meet the minimum requirement, official GRE (general test only) scores are required. Read additional information below.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- official GRE (general test only) not required unless the last-60-hours GPA is under 2.75. Read additional information below.
Review important information about official test scores.
Effective Fall 2021 & Beyond
- GRE not required
Documents
- statement of purpose outlining future direction
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of
- 19 listening
- 19 reading
- 19 speaking
- 18 writing
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
Additional Information
GPA and GRE Requirement
If your last-60-hours GPA falls below the minimum requirement of 2.75, please submit the official GRE (general test only) with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections and attend a personal interview in order to be considered for conditional admission*. Our office will notify you via email should this occur.
*Conditional admission is not available to applicants who require "F" or "J" visas.