8 Benefits to Earning Your Interdisciplinary Studies Degree

What Is Interdisciplinary Study? 

“Interdisciplinary” means “relating to more than one branch of knowledge.” In this case, an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree program allows you to essentially create your own custom major, bridging multiple fields of study and academic disciplines, ensuring that you build the skills, knowledge, and experience most valuable to you. 

Top 8 Benefits of Getting an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree

Whether you’re looking to explore new fields, enhance your critical thinking, or position yourself for a versatile career path, an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree provides numerous advantages. Here’s a look at some of the most significant benefits that come with pursuing this dynamic and customizable degree:

#1 – Explore Your Passions

Your passions, interests, and career goals are unique to you. Why should you earn the same degree or develop the same skill set as everyone else? Design the one-of-a-kind degree pathway that you’ve always dreamed of, and work with an experienced faculty advisor to bring it to life.

#2 – Gain Adaptability 

Are you the type of person with many different interests? Or perhaps you aren’t sure the exact career path you’d like to follow yet, and would like a degree that is less highly specialized? An Interdisciplinary Studies Degree can help you develop a broad skill set that is still tailored to your interests, but generalized enough to prepare you for the many options ahead of you in the real world. 

You will enter the workplace prepared to adapt to many industries and careers – and for an ever-changing business world as well! 

#3 – Discover New Research

Bring industries together in a way never seen before! Because your Interdisciplinary Studies Degree will be constructed from courses from two or more fields of study or academic disciplines — for example, healthcare, business, psychology and social sciences, legal studies, and so forth — you are positioned to add new perspectives into the way these fields of study intersect with one another. You may also build an incredible network of professionals from various areas of study! 

#4 – Own Your Education

In an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree program, you take the lead. Your custom curriculum is designed by you, with the guidance of a faculty advisor who understands how to tailor this unique type of degree. 

As an example, if your goal is to work in administration at a hospital, should you choose to study healthcare administration or business? An Interdisciplinary Studies Degree allows you to explore both, setting you up for real world success on your terms. 

#5 – Take Advantage of Flexibility

An Interdisciplinary Studies Degree is flexible, especially for students who have already earned college credits in other disciplines but haven’t quite finished their associate’s degree. No need to start over — take all that hard work you’ve already done and apply it toward a degree of your own design. 

(Note: For the University of Cincinnati’s online Interdisciplinary Studies Degree, students may transfer up to 40 credit hours.)

Programs such as UC’s online Interdisciplinary Studies Degree offer additional flexibility through classes that take place online (no campus visits required!) and on your schedule. Complete your degree while also balancing commitments to your family, work life, and more. 

#6 – Enhance Your Critical Thinking Skills and Problem-Solving

Today’s employers are looking for candidates who are imaginative, self-starting, and adaptable. By stepping out of the box and choosing courses from various industries and fields of study, you have a chance to enhance your ability to solve problems, discover innovative solutions, think differently, develop your critical thinking skills, and gain a wider perspective, no matter which field you’re pursuing a career in. 

#7 – Enjoy Career Versatility

Did you know that a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies can improve your marketability? Tailor your degree toward the skillsets most useful to your unique career path and walk away with a resume and skill set custom-made for your dream job or the advanced roles you desire. 

#8 – Benefit from Affordability & ROI

Programs such as the University of Cincinnati’s online Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree are affordable, especially since an online program does not impact your ability to maintain your current career alongside your studies.

Plus, because your degree is custom-tailored to the new career or the advanced roles that you are interested in, you may also fast-track the return on investment (ROI) of your new degree. 

Is an Associate’s in Interdisciplinary Studies Right for You? 

Don’t fit into someone else’s mold, or earn a liberal arts degree that doesn’t meet your needs — design a degree that is ideal for your unique career path. The University of Cincinnati’s online Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree is built for students like you who have specific skill sets and areas of study in mind, but want to remain flexible and adaptable with how they put that degree to work when pursuing a career.

As a bonus, the Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree sets you up to continue your education in a bachelor’s program, should you choose to continue in or return to higher education in the future. 

Take the First Step in Earning Your Interdisciplinary Studies Degree by Contacting UC Online Today 

Are you ready to customize your degree and begin working toward your own individualized goals? The University of Cincinnati’s online Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree may be the next step! Reach out to us today to begin designing your future. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How useful is a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies?

The best feedback on the University of Cincinnati’s online Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree comes from the graduates of our program. Just listen to what recent graduate Christina F. has to say: 

“I had no idea something like this existed, but it almost felt as if it was made for me. […] I would tell anyone who has changed their program multiple times and hasn’t been able to finish one degree to absolutely start this. It puts you on more solid footing and can get you a degree much faster than starting an entirely new program.” 

What can you do with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree?

The real question is, what can’t you do with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree? Because this degree is uniquely designed with your own ideal career path (or paths!) in mind, and can bridge many academic disciplines, you can take your career in any direction. The sky’s the limit!