Baylor’s Interdisciplinary Studies Program Bridges Academic Learning and Real-World Applications

For students in Baylor University's Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program, graduate education does not have to follow a single path. The program allows students to select courses across multiple disciplines and shape their studies around their individual interests, professional goals and areas of curiosity. 

Rather than completing a course of study within a single discipline, students can select from areas including social work, business, health and human sciences, and education. This interdisciplinary approach can prepare graduates for work across nonprofit organizations, public service, education, and other settings where complex challenges require a multifaceted approach. At the end of the program, students complete a capstone project that synthesizes and applies their studies, allowing them to share all they’ve learned. 

This versatility came to life in an IDS 5300 Capstone project by Gracie Beard, MS 26, who explored how museums can move beyond basic accessibility compliance to create more inclusive experiences for visitors with disabilities. 

Beard’s project, “Moving Beyond Compliance: A Tiered Accessibility Capacity Model for Small and Medium-sized Museums," brought together perspectives from organizational leadership, communication studies and accessibility studies. Her research examined a practical question: How can museums with limited staff, expertise and resources make accessibility a more consistent part of their operations?

The question is especially relevant for smaller museums, which may have staff members responsible for multiple roles and limited access to dedicated accessibility expertise. Beard identified a “capacity gap” between museums’ commitments to accessibility and their ability to implement those commitments consistently. 

Her research also examined how the understanding of accessibility has expanded beyond physical accommodations. While the Americans with Disabilities Act established important protections and requirements related to access, Beard’s presentation highlighted physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional accessibility as well.

Beard proposed a three-tiered accessibility capacity model to help museums strengthen their accessibility practices based on their available resources. The first tier, external resource utilization, encourages museums to use existing accessibility toolkits and partner with community organizations and advocacy groups. The second tier, internal coordination, focuses on incorporating accessibility into existing practices, assigning responsibilities to staff, and including accessibility in initial staff training. The third tier, embedded accessibility leadership, involves establishing dedicated accessibility roles or committees, allocating funding and conducting ongoing evaluations based on visitor feedback.

The project illustrates the kind of work students can pursue through the IDS program. 

For students considering an interdisciplinary master’s degree, the possibilities begin with a single question: What do you want to explore?

From there, students can choose the area of focus, courses, and apply those perspectives to a topic they are passionate about. Beard’s capstone project demonstrates just one example of how we can use interdisciplinary research to identify and develop solutions to real-world challenges. 

Read more about the Garland School’s Interdisciplinary Studies Program HERE!