The BDIC Program
BDIC is an undergraduate interdisciplinary academic program at UMass Amherst. The program's core mission is running the BDIC major, which allows UMass undergraduates the opportunity to design their own individualized courses of studies.
Thousands of UMass Amherst students have taken advantage of the BDIC major since the Program was founded in 1970, with roughly 100-130 BDIC majors graduating each year.
The Idea for BDIC Originated with UMass Students
In 1968, a group of students organized a conference and called for more individualism in education. Professor Arthur Kinney in the English department then stepped forward. He shaped the student demand for academic freedom into a rigorous and interdisciplinary program. BDIC was approved by the faculty senate and board of trustees and began to operate in the fall of 1970.
CHAMPIONING INDIVIDUALISM IN EDUCATION
Through the BDIC major “…the student is thus able to pursue his own academic, intellectual, or professional interests even when... there is no major program offered for his purpose.”
Blazing New Trails with BDIC
Susan Howard ’76, now a successful attorney, was one of the first BDIC graduates. She decided to major in women’s studies before the existence of the Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies department. Howard says, “I thought if I want to learn history I want to learn about women’s history, and if I want to learn about political movements I want to learn about women’s political movements.”
Image: Alexa Vargas '22
Be An Innovator
For over 50 years, thousands of students like Susan Howard have come and gone through the BDIC program, inserting creativity and initiative into their majors, and discovering much success along the way.
Contact us today to find out how you can design your own major and be part of a strong history of interdisciplinary innovators with BDIC.