Earning a masters in interdisciplinary studies online can give you the opportunity to study many different subjects. Many master’s in interdisciplinary studies online programs are both flexible and highly customizable.
Interdisciplinary master’s programs can enable you to study a variety of academic disciplines and how they relate to one another. Common fields of study include the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and visual and performing arts.
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Interdisciplinary degrees can be useful for careers that require knowledge of a variety of academic disciplines, such as advertising, human resources, education, or writing.
Online Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
An MA in Interdisciplinary Studies is most suitable for careers that require a broad understanding of many different disciplines. For example, these types of career paths can include:
- Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers
- Human resources managers
- Natural science managers
This online master’s degree often allows students to choose which subjects to study. Once you have completed your online degree, what career paths you can qualify for will likely depend on what you chose to study.
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For example, a natural science manager oversees the work of scientific researchers and technicians in laboratories. This might be a suitable career path if you studied several different types of natural sciences in your multidisciplinary studies program.
On the other hand, if you chose to study topics related to business or the humanities, a career in advertising, marketing, or human resources might be a better fit.
There are of course many different subjects you can study as part of a general studies program. You could incorporate courses on English literature, history, theology, psychology, anthropology, economics, business, biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics.
Many programs in this major ask you to select two specific fields that you would like to study in conjunction with one another.
Interdisciplinary Studies Careers & Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are many different fields and industries where interdisciplinary knowledge can be applied.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $141,490 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $137,940 |
| Political Scientists | $125,350 |
| Human Resources Managers | $121,220 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $118,430 |
| Art Directors | $97,270 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $69,600 |
| Anthropologists and Archaeologists | $66,130 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,810 |
| Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers | $52,140 |
There are many different career paths you could potentially take with a master’s degree in this major. You may want to think carefully about what type of career interests you intend to pursue and what specific subjects could be most useful for you on that career path.
Interdisciplinary Studies Master’s Curriculum
There are many different subjects you can study while earning a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, depending on your personal interests and career goals.
Most specialized programs in this field have courses that are designed to help you think holistically and see the relationships between otherwise separate fields.
- Methods for Interdisciplinary Inquiry: This course can help you plan your interdisciplinary program of study.
- Perspectives in Interdisciplinary Studies: This course will help you see the connections between the different fields you are studying.
- Theories of Change, Culture, and Mind: This course is intended to introduce you to different ways of thinking.
- History: As part of this degree program, you might study both history in general as well as the history of a specific discipline, such as religion or science.
- Economics: In economics, you might study how people interact with wealth and commodities.
- Psychology: In a psychology course, you’ll study human thought and behavior.
- Chemistry: In chemistry, you’ll study physical substances on a molecular and atomic level.
- Mass Communications: In mass communications, you’ll study the media, such as newspapers and television.
- Government: In this subject, you’ll study how political systems operate.
- Public Health: In a public health course, you’ll learn about topics such as communicable diseases and environmental hazards as well as how to keep whole communities healthy.
Some universities may also require you to complete a thesis, or you may be encouraged to complete an internship related to your chosen areas of study.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements can vary significantly at different universities, but here are some common requirements for interdisciplinary masters degree programs:
- Personal statement
- Writing samples
- Your current resumé
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5
You may also be required to submit letters of recommendation or GRE or GMAT scores. For this specific type of graduate degree program, you may be asked to submit a letter of intent to the director of the program. This letter would outline two or more concentrations you want to study as part of the program.
Accreditation
Regional accreditation helps ensure that you receive a quality education. If a graduate school is regionally accredited, that means it is regularly reviewed by an outside agency to ensure that it meets certain standards of quality.
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Interdisciplinary degree programs don’t usually have programmatic accreditation, but you may want to make sure that the university is regionally accredited. Information about a university’s accreditation status can usually be found on its website. For more information on accreditation, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many different types of financial aid available to students, including online students studying at the graduate degree level. You may be able to qualify for federal aid, state aid, scholarships, grants, loans, or even employer programs.
To see if you’re eligible for federal financial aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While filling out the FAFSA, you may be asked to include proof of US citizenship or eligible non-citizen status, attendance at an accredited graduate school, and your financial needs.
Interdisciplinary Studies Professional Organizations
Here is a list of professional organizations for students in this major. These organizations are committed to supporting the study of the humanities and sciences with an interdisciplinary approach:
- Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science (IAPHS)
- Association for Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS)
- Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP)
These organizations are aimed at adults who want to study many different fields and who consider learning to be a lifelong process. Membership in a professional organization can provide you with networking opportunities and career planning resources as you pursue your degree.
What Is an Interdisciplinary Master Degree?
An interdisciplinary master degree is a customizable degree program that enables you to combine different disciplines for your studies. Usually, you choose two or three concentrations and work with an advisor to plan your coursework and program of study.
Concentrations can usually be chosen from the arts, humanities, sciences, business, or engineering. An interdisciplinary master’s degree program can help you develop a holistic way of thinking and solving problems. It can also help you see the commonalities between otherwise distinct fields of study.
What Is a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Good For?
A masters degree program can be good for a variety of careers in many different fields, depending on which concentrations you choose.
For instance, if you have career interests in public relations, interdisciplinary graduate programs can enable you to take relevant classes in business, marketing, and communications.
Management positions in marketing, human resources, public relations, and social services can also benefit from interdisciplinary knowledge.
What Can You Do with a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies?
A master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies can be useful in many different careers, but it is especially useful in occupations that require knowledge of several different subjects.
For example, journalists, archaeologists, and political scientists may use broad knowledge from many different fields. A master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies may allow your skill set to be more versatile, paving the way for a variety of opportunities.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Online?
If a master’s degree program in this field only requires 36 credit hours of coursework, it can typically be completed in as little as 1 year with full-time study. This may include taking classes during the summer as well.
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A degree program in graduate interdisciplinary studies that requires a thesis may take more time to complete. If you are a working adult, taking classes part-time can enable you to balance your education with other commitments. When studying part-time, though, you may take longer to finish your degree.
Is a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies Worth It?
Yes, a masters in interdisciplinary studies is worth it for many students. A masters degree program in interdisciplinary studies can enable you to develop your own unique degree program and develop advanced knowledge of different topics.
This type of graduate interdisciplinary studies degree can prepare you to communicate effectively with experts from different fields. You can also develop expertise in a variety of disciplines. If you plan your coursework carefully, you can tailor your degree to ensure that you study the most useful skills for your intended career path.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs
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.
Eastern Mennonite University offers a Master of Arts program in Interdisciplinary Studies program. Students may choose between taking online courses, evening classes, or hybrid classes.
The program requires 36 credit hours and can be customized by adding one of 13 concentrations. Applicants must have 2 references and a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Eastern Mennonite University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Liberty University offers a Master of Arts program in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program requires 31 credit hours to graduate and can usually be completed in a year.
Online courses are 8 weeks long. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and need to submit official college transcripts.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Niagara University offers an online Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program. The program requires students to complete 33 credits of their choice and a final capstone project to graduate. Those interested in the program must submit 2 letters of recommendation, official transcripts, GRE scores, and a personal statement about their career goals.
Niagara University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Southern Utah University offers a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies program. Students can choose courses from 20 different programs to obtain the 30 credits required to graduate. A final capstone project must also be completed. Applicants must submit official transcripts from a bachelor’s degree, a resume, and a statement of intent.
Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Texas Tech University offers a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program requires 36 credit hours to graduate. Students can choose pre-designed specialized programs offered by different academic departments or a self-designed program that allows them to select their courses. Applicants must submit college transcripts and test scores.
Texas Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Maine offers a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program requires 30 credits to graduate and can be completed online. Students may choose courses from a number of fields to finish the program. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 from an undergraduate program.
The University of Maine is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a fully online degree program for a Master of Science in Management with a specialization in Interdisciplinary Studies in Management.
Students must complete 30 credits within 5 years while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 to graduate. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree.
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of North Texas offers both a Master of Arts and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Students may choose to take one of the predefined concentrations or a self-styled program to complete the 30 credit hours needed to graduate. Applicants must meet with an academic counselor and seek collaborating professors before applying.
The University of North Texas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of South Dakota offers an online Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program requires 32 credit hours to be divided between two or three fields of study. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7. All official transcripts and a statement of purpose need to be submitted when applying for the graduate degree program.
The University of South Dakota is accredited by the HLC.
Western New Mexico University offers an online Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students must complete 36 credit hours with 2 to 3 fields of study. A concentration can be added to the degree if nine or more credit hours have been dedicated to the field. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher.
WNMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies Online
A masters degree in this field is one of the most flexible types of degree programs available, and a growing number of universities are offering interdisciplinary studies degrees online.
A fully online degree program, for example an interdisciplinary or a multidisciplinary studies degree online, generally offers a variety of scheduling options, and many are self-paced. An interdisciplinary degree allows you to customize your studies, enabling you to choose a unique blend of subjects based on your needs and interests.
If you’re interested in customizing your education and enhancing your expertise, you may want to start exploring online master’s in interdisciplinary studies programs from accredited universities.
