by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents who wish to follow a unique path in college may choose to receive a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST). Most colleges require interested students to submit an application for an Interdisciplinary Studies major and work with an advisor to choose classes. Students can either craft their own path of study, or they can take a broad array of classes in liberal arts after completing the core requirements of the school.
A liberal arts major usually requires students to complete classes in core subjects like math, English, philosophy, history, biology and others determined by the college. Interdisciplinary Studies majors will need to complete all the required core classes as well as the classes outlined in their chosen program.
Interdisciplinary Studies was the 86th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 9,074 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 632 over the prior year, a growth of 7.0%.
This year's Best Interdisciplinary Studies Schools ranking compares 85 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of interdisciplinary studies programs later in this article.
This major should not be chosen just because a student does not know what subject to pick. Rather, students need to show a clear and focused path demonstrating how the subjects they wish to study will contribute to their career and life goals. This requires a student who is assertive and ready to take their college experience into their own hands.
Interdisciplinary Studies can be a challenging major. Students will need to work closely with an advisor to ensure all their core requirements are met and they receive enough credits to graduate. Because they will be taking classes from a wide variety of subjects, it helps to have an open mind and the ability to synchronize information from various categories. This major can lead to a Bachelor's of Arts or a Bachelor's of Science depending on the college you are attending and the subjects you choose.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic interdisciplinary studies program qualifications, to serve in some interdisciplinary studies careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of interdisciplinary studies degrees. Interdisciplinary Studies programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest interdisciplinary studies degree you can get. Interdisciplinary Studies programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An Interdisciplinary Studies graduate is not tied down to a single career path. Their options are as wide and varied as the subjects they study in college. Graduates end up in careers as teachers, counselors, international relations specialists, lab technicians, business managers, entrepreneurs, writers and much more. This can also be excellent preparation for a Master's degree in a more focused area. Because this field is so broad, salaries can vary widely.
Recently graduated interdisciplinary studies students earned an average of $32,077 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $17,783 to as high as $50,617. As you might expect, salaries for interdisciplinary studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Interdisciplinary Studies is one of 44 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,057 |
| Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program | 17 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
| Behavioral Science | 4,169 |
