Interdisciplinary Bachelors Degree Online
Is an Interdisciplinary Degree for You?
Interdisciplinary degree programs integrate multiple disciplines, enabling students to design their own majors. Typically, they select the disciplines while consulting with their advisors in order to construct the most beneficial combination of courses. Interdisciplinary programs are for students who have a career in mind and have determined a major in a single discipline doesn't provide the training they need for their desired career. In most cases, the degree plan consists of liberal arts courses, from disciplines such as journalism and political science, and business courses, which come in handy for aspiring entrepreneurs in particular. Students are required to display their proficiency in multiple areas and prove the disciplines complement one another. Contrary to popular belief, interdisciplinary degrees are both challenging and rewarding.
Advice for Earning Your Interdisciplinary Degree Online
When pursued online, online interdisciplinary degrees require just as much effort as other more common degrees. Popular with adults looking to advance their careers, the program offers flexibility in both time and subject matter, allowing students to expand their knowledge and skills as they see fit. The learning experience is just as fruitful as what students receive at brick-and-mortar colleges, as online students use interactive applications to engage in the subject matter. Upon graduation, students discover the benefits of attaining an interdisciplinary degree tailored to their career goals; they possess a unique range of skills they otherwise wouldn't have been taught all at once. Of course, prior to selecting an online school in which to pursue the major, students should make sure their prospective choices are all accredited; accreditation is a quality assurance measure that indicates a college meets established standards for education. This can be accomplished by visiting the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Postsecondary Accredited Institutions.
Required Courses
The courses that compose an interdisciplinary degree are selected by the student in collaboration with a faculty advisor they have been assigned. The student's disciplines of choice should complement one another, and there should be a coherent purpose for selecting them together. Before each semester, each interdisciplinary studies student meets with their advisor to ensure they are selecting the right courses. Consistent correspondence with their advisors is encouraged given the unique nature of the interdisciplinary degree. On their own time, students can use online degree audits to track their progress. Most interdisciplinary degrees have standard requirements, including credits in English composition, humanities, social science, math and natural science.
Common Career Paths
Because there's not one homogenous interdisciplinary major, there isn't a common career path, though many tend to fall under the realms of liberal arts and business. For example, a student combining communications, legal institutions, government and economics may aspire to become a politician or lobbyist. A selfless and ambitious student hoping to run an effective nonprofit could combine nonprofit management, organizational communication and social science. Ultimately, the student's desired career path determines the disciplines they wish to study in their interdisciplinary major. The initiative put forth by these independent students is unique, and something few people have the will to undertake.
Starting Salary: $36,000
Mid-Career Salary: $59,000
Learn More About a Career in Interdisciplinary
