Online interdisciplinary studies degrees allow you to structure your educational journey according to your future career goals.
An interdisciplinary studies program lets you to take two academic disciplines and design a major that is tailored to your passions and needs.
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This program can help you develop your analytical thinking and communication skills, and this flexible educational path has the potential to lead into a wide variety of career opportunities.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with classes that are 7.5 weeks long.
Students are required to complete 120 credit hours to graduate and can pick 2 of the 30 disciplines offered to study. Applicants must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and must submit ACT or SAT test scores.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Boston University
Boston University offers a Bachelor of Liberal Science and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These programs are designed to be completed on a part-time basis and require 128 credit hours to graduate. Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, official transcripts, and a resume.
Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Oregon University offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Both programs require 180 credit hours to graduate and can typically be completed in 4 years. Students may complete two minors or a minor and a custom plan or transfer in a minor to finish their degree. Applicants may apply online with their high school transcripts.
Eastern Oregon University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
National American University
National American University offers an online program for a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Students must complete 180 credit hours and have the option to study in multiple fields, such as Criminal Justice, Management, and Strategic Security. Those interested in the program may complete an online application and submit it along with their official transcripts.
National American University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Northern Vermont University
Northern Vermont University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies online degree program. To graduate, students must complete 42 credit hours, with at least 21 upper-division level courses and 3 capstone courses. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and official high school transcripts when applying online.
Northern Vermont University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Northwest University
Northwest University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program is designed to allow students to complete a primary and secondary major.
Students in the program design their own schedule with the help of an academic advisor and need to have it approved by the Interdisciplinary Studies Chair. Applicants must submit a biographical essay and complete an entrance test.
Northwest University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students must complete 120 online credit hours to graduate. Those interested in applying to either program must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher from all previous college work.
The University of Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
To graduate, students must complete 120 credit hours. Students may choose the Diversity track or Standard track. Applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores with their online applications. An application essay is not required but may be submitted to bolster your application.
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
The University of Tennessee—Knoxville offers an online bachelor’s degree program that allows students with an associate degree to earn a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies. The A to B program allows students to focus on a concentration in Public Policy or Cultures. Applicants must have an associate degree. No entrance exams are required.
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of West Alabama
The University of West Alabama offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate. Classes can be taken online and are 8 weeks long. Applicants may apply online and need to submit either their official high school transcripts or GED scores.
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degrees Online
It can be challenging to choose one major if your interests are broad or your career goals are very specific. Interdisciplinary degree programs, such as a bachelors in interdisciplinary studies or a bachelors in liberal arts, allow you to pursue and design your own concentrations.
Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
The program that’s best for you will depend on your personal interests and professional goals.
Online Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies
An interdisciplinary studies degree will combine two discipline focuses to design one customized and individual concentration of study.
There are extensive options that you can choose from, and the two disciplines you decide to pursue can be chosen based on your career goals. Some of the courses you may encounter include first year composition, historical awareness, mathematics, and general biology.
Depending on their chosen concentrations, graduates may pursue careers as project managers, event planners, urban planners, journalists, dieticians, or public relations specialists.
Because a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is tailored to your needs, you may develop a diverse skill set. A dynamic set of foundational skills could be valuable in a variety of career fields.
Online Bachelors in Liberal Arts
Liberal studies differ some from interdisciplinary studies. Interdisciplinary studies focus on the combination of 2 concentrations into one individualized education plan.
With a liberal arts program, you’ll study a wide variety of subjects, and it’s more focused on multidisciplinary studies. This can help you develop a multitude of skills, and it can encourage flexible thinking across disciplines. The intent with this degree is that the professional skills you can learn will be applicable in a variety of career industries.
Some courses you may encounter in this program include undergraduate English, communications, mathematics, psychology, and history courses. Graduates may pursue careers as marketing specialists, editors, technical writers, museum curators, and human resource specialists.
Having a career goal while enrolled in your program can allow you to select specific courses that can help strengthen your skills for that industry.
Interdisciplinary Studies Careers and Salaries
Various occupations employ workers who have an interdisciplinary studies degree. The industries of employment are also very broad. The career paths you can pursue after graduation will likely depend on the focus of your studies.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for workers with an interdisciplinary studies degree is $50,000.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Marketing Managers | $142,170 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $118,430 |
| Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers | $110,140 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,560 |
| Editors | $63,400 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,090 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,810 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $60,660 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,560 |
| Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts | $49,300 |
An interdisciplinary degree can help you develop professional skills that are applicable in various roles. When pursuing this degree, it can help to ensure that your disciplines are structured around your specific career goals.
Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor’s Curriculum
When pursuing an interdisciplinary degree, you have multiple disciplines or areas to choose from. Some colleges offer up to 30 different concentration options. After you’ve decided what two disciplines you wish to focus on, you then have the opportunity to select your courses.
Here are some of the courses you may encounter with an online interdisciplinary studies degree:
- First-Year Composition: You’ll learn the basics of critically reading, analyzing, and writing academic discourse.
- Mathematics: This foundational course allows you to learn real-world mathematics problems and apply solutions.
- Natural Sciences: You’ll develop foundational knowledge on all aspects of the world’s biosphere and analyze the interconnectedness of the Earth’s sciences.
- General Biology: This course covers a foundational understanding of biological concepts and principles, which can be beneficial for developing your skills for a healthcare-related career.
- Human Anatomy: This is the study of the human body and human functions. You’ll look at cells, tissues, and the systems within the human body.
- Cultural Diversity in the US: You’ll come to research, study, and understand the experiences of racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
- Global Cybersecurity: With a focus on the global perspective of the importance of cybersecurity and data protection, you’ll learn how to store, study, and protect personal data.
- Historical Awareness: You’ll learn about the most important events in American and global history and how these events impacted various communities and peoples.
- Literary and Critical Inquiry: This course combines literature studies and philosophy, and you can learn how to critically analyze texts and formulate academic discourse on the subject matter.
- Risk Management and Insurance: Looking at individual risk, business risk, and societal risk, you’ll learn how to develop assessments of risk and risk management techniques. You can also learn how to properly finance and insure risk potentials.
These are just samples of courses you may encounter. This degree can be individually designed according to your personal interests and career goals.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Pros and Cons
Like any degree, there are certain pros and cons to pursuing a bachelors in interdisciplinary studies. Here are a few you may want to consider prior to enrollment:
| Pros | Cons |
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It can be beneficial to research interdisciplinary studies degrees to help you determine whether this degree track is right for you.
College Admissions Requirements
This degree covers a wide variety of disciplines. So, many interdisciplinary programs often want you to have taken a wide variety of courses in your high school career.
Though admission requirements vary from school to school, here are some you may encounter:
- SAT or ACT scores (only some schools require them)
- Minimum GPA requirement
- Official high school transcripts
- Reference letters
Depending on your discipline focus, some schools may also request a portfolio of your work.
Accreditation
A degree in interdisciplinary studies can be a challenging degree for prospective employers to comprehend.
Regional accreditation can ensure that your degree is recognized as credible, is of high-quality educational standard, and is valid nationwide. To ensure your school is accredited, you can visit the website of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and check out their database of accredited schools.
Regional accreditation can be one precondition to determine your credits’ transferability to another school or program. It also signifies that your school is adhering to consistent academic quality and accountability expectations.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Depending on your high school career, scholarships or credit may be available to you from your school of interest. In addition, you may find tuition aid opportunities through an employer or through the military if you have a history of service.
When applying to a school, after you file your application and prepare the necessary documents, your next step can be to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Your school of interest should have a Federal School Code that allows for an easy transfer of data and information, allowing for a quicker FAFSA process to determine what aid you qualify for.
What Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?
An interdisciplinary studies degree is a flexible degree that allows you to choose two concentration focuses from a wide variety of disciplines.
Interdisciplinary studies is especially suitable for students who feel that their interests or desired skill sets cannot be captured in a single major.
You have the ability to design your education and courses around your career goals. You can develop research, analytical, communication, and critical-thinking skills that are applicable in a variety of industries.
What Can You Do with an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?
Because an interdisciplinary studies program can be designed according to your interests and career goals, graduates with this degree can pursue various roles in different industries.
The career paths available to you after graduation may depend on how you structured your studies and what skill sets you were able to develop. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects above average employment growth for many of the industries that hire individuals with an interdisciplinary studies degree.
Common interdisciplinary careers include marketing manager, quality assurance analyst, public relations specialist, dietician, event planner, and journalist, just to name a few.
What’s the Difference Between a BA vs. BS in Interdisciplinary Degree?
Interdisciplinary degrees take two disciplines and combine them into a tailor-made, focused concentration. Here are the main differences between a BA and a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies:
- BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: A Bachelor of Arts is focused on humanities and liberal arts.
- BS in Interdisciplinary Studies: A Bachelor of Science is focused on science, mathematics, or business, but it can combine a scientific concentration with a humanities concentration.
Whether you pursue a BA or BS often depends on your discipline focus.
Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Major Worth It?
Yes, an interdisciplinary studies major is worth it for many professionals. An interdisciplinary studies degree provides you with the flexibility to pursue an educational career that is tailor-made to you and your passions and skills.
In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects above average job growth in most of the industries that tend to hire workers with this degree. With career goals in mind, you are able to develop a course load that is unique and can help you develop a professional skill set, including communication and critical thinking.
If you doubt that a single major would contain the breadth of knowledge and development you seek, an interdisciplinary studies degree could be worth considering.
Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Online
A bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies is a flexible, tailor-made educational experience.
An interdisciplinary studies degree online program can offer the additional flexibility that usually accompanies online schooling. This is similar to what you may experience while earning a degree in general studies online. You can often schedule courses around your professional and personal obligations.
While an interdisciplinary studies degree is structured around your career goals, pursuing it online can allow you to structure your educational journey around your life. You can start exploring accredited universities today to find credible online programs that fit your learning needs.
