Many students who are looking to design a college degree that best fits their career goals are asking themselves, what can I do with a Multidisciplinary Studies degree?
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A Multidisciplinary Studies Degree can allow you to take parts of several degree majors to make a custom degree to fit your personal career goals.
What is a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies?
In recent years, there has been a 60% rise in students seeking a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies over the past few years. A multidisciplinary course of study is similar degree paths that are similar to:
All these paths require general core courses, but each is slightly different.
General Studies Degree
General studies is a structure degree program that requires students to attend classes in each core area to gain a specific number of credits.
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This course of study allows students to obtain degrees in arts, science, or humanities.
Interdisciplinary Degree
An interdisciplinary studies degree program allows students to combine two academic areas while getting their bachelor’s degree. This program lets students modify their educational course loads to meet their specific career goals.
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Students are still required to take general education classes, but they are able to add a combination of classes from two specific majors to build well-rounded majors in areas that fit their needs.
Liberal Arts Degree
A liberal arts degree is a general studies degree that encompasses required literature, math, history, science, and several elective classes that offer an in-depth study of chosen topics.
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This specialized degree path helps students who have yet to decide on a specific career by putting them on a degree path to gain new skills that can be helpful in most industries. As students continue working through this program, they should begin to learn more about their interests, learning styles, and careers they might consider in the future.
Multidisciplinary Degree
Multidisciplinary degrees are much like an interdisciplinary degree program. The biggest difference in these two programs is that an interdisciplinary study lets students combine two areas of interest, and a multidisciplinary degree allows students to combine three or more areas of interest.
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This path allows for tailor-made education that narrows students’ education goals for their specific career goals.
| Compare Multidisciplinary Degrees | |||
| General Studies | Liberal Arts | Interdisciplinary Studies | Multidisciplinary Studies |
| Broad Education | Broad Education | Broad Education | Broad Education |
| Structured Curriculum | Make Connection Across Disciplines | Make Connection Across Disciplines | Make Connection Across Disciplines |
| Can Choose a Theme to Study | Choose Electives in Specific Areas | Combine Two Majors to design a curriculum that fits your career goals | Combine Three or more Majors to design a curriculum that fits your career goals |
| Offer Job Skills like Communication and Critical Thinking | Offer Job Skills like Communication and Critical Thinking | Offers Skills and Depth of Knowledge in a Variety of Specialized Areas | Offers Skills and Depth of Knowledge in a Variety of Specialized Areas |
| Helps Narrow Your Career Path | Help Prepare You for Specific Career Areas | Help Prepare You for Specific Career Areas | |
Hopefully, this table will show you both the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies pros and cons, and will help you select the degree that best matches your interests and career goals.
Is a Multidisciplinary Degree Good?
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies may be a good idea for those who would like to work with an advisor to custom design a program that will meet their personal needs.
This degree may be great for someone looking at a specific career field but would like to have a specialty area in that field. A unique combination of majors can help make your talents unmatched in the job force.
Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Degree
A multidisciplinary curriculum can allow you to study more than one major and look at topics from different viewpoints. This type of study can help you understand your field of study better to make you an expert in multiple areas that relate to your field.
Multidisciplinary studies allow schools and students to let down the guards between disciplines to graduate students who are ready for a global business field.
Having this well-rounded education can help to boost your earning potential in the career of your choice. Most students who enter this degree program already have an idea of where they would like their degree to take them. Multidisciplinary studies let you study more than one major and one time, possibly giving your resume a boost above the rest.
What Can I Do With a Multidisciplinary Studies Degree?
With the never-ending changes to the job market with new technology and discoveries every day, the need for a diverse education is growing. Companies are looking for higher-level learners who have a background in various skills so they can become leaders in the organizations.
More skills in more areas are one reason that a graduate degree in multidisciplinary studies can help you stand out to potential employers.
A degree in multidisciplinary studies is a self-designed, or university designed, program that personalizes your education to fit your career goals. Since this is a degree that meshes more than two majors to develop a program that specifically meets your needs, it is challenging to name only a few of the top careers in the field.
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The multidisciplinary study is a vast degree designed to fit students’ needs, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some industries people go into with a degree in multidisciplinary studies.
- Chemists and Materials Scientists
- Health and Safety Engineers
- Training and Development Specialists
- Operations Research Analysts
- Software Developer
This is just a small sampling of the many jobs you might obtain with a multidisciplinary degree.
Chemists and Materials Scientists
Chemists and materials scientists have trained to analyze substances at the atomic and molecular levels and find ways for them to interact safely together. A background in chemistry, materials, and research is needed to be successful in this career.
Knowledge of office work, computers, and software programs are helpful for flourishing in this occupation.
Health and Safety Engineers
Health and safety engineers combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to design policies, procedures, and systems that protect people from the damage that can come from building and other properties. A background in environmental health and in engineering is needed to prosper in this field.
Training and Development Specialists
Training and development specialists are charged with planning and administering curricula that can enhance the skills and knowledge of their employees. Skills in leadership, communication, and human relations are important to people involved in this career. You also need to have some knowledge of computers and office skills.
Operations Research Analysts
Operations research analysts use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help solve difficult problems that companies face every day. People involved in this field usually have a combination of education and experience in business, operations research, management science, mathematics, engineering, and computer science.
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This is a fast-growing occupation which changes often.
Software Developer
Software developers create the software computers use to understand what people need them to do. A background in computer programming, computer science, and internet infrastructure would be helpful skills in this field of work.
Multidisciplinary Studies Salary
Salary expectations for a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies vary depending on the program that you design. You can build a degree program to meet the expectations of many occupations, so the program you build will determine the salary you can expect.
Other factors can make a difference in your monetary compensation, such as:
- The size of the company
- The benefits package offered
- The other experience you bring
Consider your options when you are looking to major in this field of study and talk with an advisor at the school to get assistance. See the table below for some examples of occupations and the average salary for this job.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Software Developer | $110,140 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $94,240 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $86,200 |
| Chemist or Materials Scientist | $80,680 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,700 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
There are many other careers in this field so make sure you research the career that would be right for you.
Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Worthless?
A bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies is closely related to the multidisciplinary studies in that it combines more than one curriculum to customize your education. Some of the many careers you could look at with this degree include:
- Financial Advisor
- Facilities Manager
- Journalist
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Legislative Assistant
This degree is not worthless. The average annual salary range for these careers ranges from $49,000 to $98,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Your salary will depend on your company size, the location of your company, and other skills you bring to the table.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers often seek out bachelor’s with a general studies degree because of the strong communication and critical thinking skills learned in these programs.
A general studies degree is often attractive to students with a desire to do well in any type of career and has problem-solving skills, work well with others, and enjoy a challenge.
Some jobs that you may excel in with this degree include:
- Human Resources Manager
- Paralegal
- Office Manager
- Healthcare Support
- Social Service Director
The average annual salary expectations for these careers range from $52,000 to $121,000.
What Can You Do With a Multidisciplinary Studies Degree?
Deciding to continue your education is deciding to better your future career and salary potential. A bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies can help you get the job you have always wanted. This degree will allow you to gain experience and expand your knowledge in a variety of subjects.
If you are working or have other time-consuming responsibilities, you may want to look into the multidisciplinary studies degree online programs that some universities offer.
Research the career you want and begin your path to a better future by starting your degree in multidisciplinary studies.
