Whiteboard full of black writing with a lightbulb drawn as well.

IDS 401: Applied learning and internships course

In the IDS 401 experience, you will use the interdisciplinary skills you’ve developed in the IDS program to arrange, plan and execute your own applied learning project. Students have four options to choose from: Applied Study, Directed Study, Research Fellowship, and Humanities Lab. In each option students will integrate your two c concentration areas in a meaningful way.
 

Regardless of which IDS 401 option you choose, you’ll be guided by ASU faculty and professional experts in conducting interdisciplinary analysis, synthesis and evaluation. In IDS 401, you have the opportunity to integrate the prerequisite interdisciplinary knowledge you acquired in your core IDS courses with the disciplinary knowledge you acquired from your concentration areas. These new interdisciplinary tools and insights will then be applied to a project, problem, or context of your choosing.
 

Course prerequisites

  • Completed IDS 201 or 301 with a grade of C or better
  • Completed 2 courses in each concentration area. 
  • Submit an application for one of the four options by the posted deadline
  • In good academic standing: cumulative ASU GPA of 2.0 or better

Experience options

Applied study

The applied study is a traditional internship experience where you will spend 120 hours at a site of your choosing putting your integrative and disciplinary knowledge to the test.  In addition to the hours completed on site, there will be an online class component where you will reflect on your internship work.

Learn more

Directed study

A directed study is a thesis or research project that you will design in consultation with a faculty member. This option is best suited for students who are interested in graduate school or have a creative or research-based project they are interested in pursuing. This can be a great way to start a CV, create a portfolio, or design your own project. The directed study is a student-led project that requires strong organizational skills.

Learn more

Research fellows

Partner with a School of Applied Sciences and Arts faculty to assist them with research and ongoing faculty-led projects. The IDS 401: Research Fellowship option is highly competitive, so students should begin planning for this option early.

Learn more

ASU Humanities Lab

The ASU Humanities Lab provides students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on, collaborative research on social challenges relevant to today’s students. These interdisciplinary, team-taught courses encourage students to work collaboratively in order to make a difference.

Learn more

Questions?

Check out our FAQ page for common questions and answers or email us at cisainternship@asu.edu.