Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A./B.S.) at Albertus
The B.A./B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies at Albertus Magnus College offers the exciting opportunity for you to create a personalized major.
Overview
The B.A./B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies at Albertus Magnus College offers the exciting opportunity for you to create a personalized major. Enroll in the program you really want: the one that doesn’t exist yet.
This 39 credit program allows you to incorporate any courses within Humanities, Social
Science, Math and Science, Business, and any other future program the college offers to support your program of study. Pursuing
this degree is a chance to learn independently and deep dive into a topic, theory,
or concept of which you are passionate.
Interdisciplinary studies give you the tools to relate traditional academic learning
to broader issues and ideas through experiential studies.
Upon completing this degree, you will foster stand-out skills potential employers are seeking, such as adaptability, flexibility, and self-management.
The Albertus Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program
Interdisciplinary Studies is hands-on in its very definition. Unlike a traditional degree program, which has everything built out for you, the building of this degree is in your hands. You will tailor your degree to fit your research goals by constructing your own course list.
To unlock your full potential in this program, you will work with a faculty member of your choosing, as well as the program director, to help create and guide your in-depth plan of study. Part of your research can include internships, study-abroad opportunities, and other curricular activities.
Create Your Flexible Interdisciplinary Studies Schedule
Offered in an accelerated format, most students can complete their Interdisciplinary Studies degree in a year and a half while only having to take two classes at a time.
Students choose between the following:
Online
- Take 1 to 2 classes every 8 weeks
- Work from the comfort of your own home
- Have the ability to work on assignments on your own time, at your own pace
Blended
- Take 1 to 2 classes every 8 weeks
- Classes are a combination of in-class session and online assignments
- Attend class on campus one night per week, while all other assignments are done from the comfort of home
- Benefit from in-class discussions while completing projects and assignments from home
FLEX
- Choose to take classes in either a blended or online format
- Select the format that works best for you every time you register for a new course
- Learn more about the FLEX format
Interdisciplinary Studies Student Perspective
Kiyomi Bowen is part of the class of 2023 but is set to graduate early thanks to her
ambitions and dedication to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. As the president
of the Black Students Union at Albertus, Kiyomi considers herself a community organizer
and wants to spend her career advocating for people. She knew traditional areas of
study would not give her the full scope of knowledge to pursue her passions, and decided
to take a mix of sociology, business, and urban studies courses.
"Interdisciplinary Studies has offered me control over my education. It helps me to engage more in classes and get excited about learning."
“So now when I graduate, I will have so many career path options,” says Kiyomi. "Interdisciplinary
Studies doesn't limit you to things that aren't of interest to you, while a standard
major will." She recognizes the experience of changing majors that many college students face,
and feels if more students engage in Interdisciplinary Studies, more students will
feel confident and limitless in their abilities after graduation. "Interdisciplinary
Studies has offered me control over my education. It helps me to engage more in classes
and get excited about learning."
Meet Professor Corey Brushett
Professor Corey Brushett advised Kiyomi Bowen as the first student in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Albertus. Brushett describes the program as an adaptive, tailored academic experience that allows students to bring together key concepts from different departments that ultimately support students’ interests and goals after graduation. But most importantly, she notes that a student taking on their own major needs to be passionate.
“An Interdisciplinary Studies major is not for someone who is looking to just float through their academic experience. It’s really specific, and some of the courses are really high level and are really going to challenge you.”
“An Interdisciplinary Studies major is not for someone who is looking to just float through their academic experience. It’s really specific, and some of the courses are really high level and are really going to challenge you,” says Brushett. If you have an idea of what you want to do but it doesn’t necessarily fall into the wheelhouse of a major that’s already offered, Brushett says the Interdisciplinary Studies Program is made for you.
Program Goals & Objectives
The B.A./B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to exercise their independent ideas while creating their own program of study. To accomplish a specific theme, students will work with a faculty advisor and program director, while drawing from courses in at least three different departments. Students will be required to create a proposal explaining their motivation behind their major, which will then need to be approved by the program director. This program will require students to think critically while using a wide range of methodologies in order to detail the purpose of their field of study from start to finish.
Interested in learning more about the diverse courses offered at Albertus?