What Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?

Not every student is meant to follow the same path, and we believe your educational experience should be as unique as you are. The University of Cincinnati Online’s Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) degree program helps you design your own major, one perfectly suited for the future career or educational path you have in mind.

Define Interdisciplinary Studies — What Does It Mean?

Interdisciplinary Studies is a degree program that embraces a holistic and flexible approach to learning. Our Interdisciplinary Studies degree online program allows students to tailor their studies to specific educational needs, and it’s completed entirely online.

You take the lead: curriculum is determined by the student, with the support of a faculty advisor, to craft a curriculum tailored to your educational history and interests. The path you take is up to you — that’s the definition of interdisciplinary!

What Makes UC Online’s Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program Unique?

Customize Your Degree

Feeling forced to follow a prescribed curriculum? In this program, students work alongside a faculty advisor to create their own custom degree pathway.

Put Your Previously Earned Credits to Use

Students who have completed college credits across multiple disciplines or institutions are able to complete their associate degree in interdisciplinary studies without starting over. You may transfer up to forty (40) credit hours into the program, with a minimum of twenty (20) credit hours from the University of Cincinnati. Credits are accepted from both regionally and nationally accredited universities.

Expand Your Skills and Areas of Expertise

By designing your own major, you can explore a wide range of subjects that interest you, broadening your knowledge base and opening doors for new career opportunities. Students gain critical thinking, adaptability, problem-solving, and communication skills, preparing you for career growth and new opportunities.

Learn on Your Schedule

Finishing your degree online allows you the flexibility to work around your job, family, and other priorities. All of your coursework will be online and asynchronous, meaning you can log in when it best fits your schedule! You can also choose to attend either full-time or part-time. This means you can advance your career by finishing your Interdisciplinary Studies online degree at your pace until you’re ready to put your custom degree to work in the new career or higher-level role you’ve been working toward.

Affordability

Lessen the stress of paying for school. The University of Cincinnati Online offers financial aid opportunities and scholarships to make sure you can cross the finish line. Plus, using your previously earned credits towards the degree allows you to complete your degree in fewer semesters, saving money along the way.

Dedicated Support Team

We are invested in your success! Our in-house support team is ready to help you from the very first steps of your application process all the way through graduation.

How Can an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Advance My Career?

Versatility

The beauty of this program lies in its versatility. Because you are designing your own degree, you can tailor this program to any and every career that interests you or supports advancement in your current field. Whether you aspire to work in communications, healthcare, information technology, business management, marketing, finance, accounting, legal studies, criminal justice, or supply chain management, an interdisciplinary studies degree can help get you to the next level.

Better Marketability

Earning an interdisciplinary studies degree improves your marketability because your major is custom-tailored to the skillsets most useful to you and most desirable to the career you are pursuing. Graduates are equipped with versatile expertise that aligns with their career goals, making them more appealing to employers in today’s competitive job market.

More Educational Opportunities

Keep going! The Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree fully prepares you to continue your education in a bachelor’s program. In fact, after earning your degree in interdisciplinary studies, most students can complete their Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies or Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies online with just two additional years of study.

What Are Students and Graduates Saying about Their Interdisciplinary Studies Online Degree?

Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what our students and graduates have to say:

• “Getting my degree opened many doors and provides me with the ability to find a job with a better work-life balance. […] It’s never too late to do something great.” —Cody F.
• “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.” —Christina F.
• “Being able to study, do class work, take quizzes, etc. on my time was a game changer. […] Overall, this experience has made me strongly consider taking more online classes and pursuing further education.” —Geneva M.

How Are Classes Structured in an Interdisciplinary Studies Online Degree?

The Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree is comprised of 60 total credits, which can include up to 40 credits transferred from other universities. In addition to your foundation and general education courses, you and your advisor will choose your career-focused courses, or Career Clusters. This allows you both to design a degree that aligns with your individual career goals and to make the best possible use of your credits in multiple areas of study you may be transferring into the program.

Here are just some of the fields of study you can choose to focus on for your Career Clusters: Healthcare, Information Technology, Business Management Technology, Marketing Technology, Finance Technology, Accounting, Business Applications Technology, Legal Studies, and Supply Chain Management.

What Is the Job Outlook for an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, having more education pays off. People with an associate degree earn nearly 18% more than those with just a high school diploma.

The proof is in our alumni’s success. 99% of the University of Cincinnati’s class of 2022 associate degree completers are either employed or continuing their education!

In simple terms, getting more education can lead to better job opportunities and higher pay. So, whether you’ve already started a degree and want to go back to school or simply want the flexibility that comes with creating an educational plan that works for you, an interdisciplinary studies degree is a smart move for your future!

How Can I Get Started?

Let us help you complete the next step towards reaching your goals while still balancing other life responsibilities! Reach out to us today to learn more and take the next step toward your Associate of Individualized Study in Interdisciplinary Studies degree. Our enrollment services team is here to assist you in getting started on your personalized degree.