Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
How Do Interdisciplinary Studies Majors Work?
By
Zach Skillings
Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.
Learn about our editorial policies
Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.
Learn about our editorial policies
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Learn about our editorial policies
Choosing a major can be hard, but the good news is that you don’t have to choose just one field of study. And no, we’re not talking about double majoring. Rather, interdisciplinary studies allow you to combine several fields of study into one major. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about majoring in interdisciplinary studies.
Learn more: How to choose a major
What is an interdisciplinary studies major?
Interdisciplinary studies combine multiple academic disciplines into one personalized major. The purpose of the interdisciplinary approach is to allow students to explore a focused topic that spans across multiple fields. These programs are ideal for students who have a variety of interconnected academic interests. They also provide students the chance to tailor their education to better align with their career goals. Let’s go over a few examples of interdisciplinary majors:
Art Therapy
Art therapy majors learn how to use artistic activities to treat people with mental, emotional, or physical problems. This field of study combines art and psychology. Students learn about the theory and history of art therapy, and may take courses related to counseling, social work, and various art forms.
Gender Studies
This field of study focuses on how gender roles have developed and evolved over time, and how they vary between cultures. Students in this major combine several academic areas including literature, history, and psychology.
International Business
This major combines the fundamentals of business with the principles of international studies. Students take business courses that cover topics like marketing, finance, management, and accounting. They also gain a deeper understanding of international relations by studying economic, political, and cultural issues around the world.
Religious Studies
This field of study investigates the nature of religious belief and traditions. In order to study different religions around the world, students combine various academic disciplines including history, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and politics.
Also see: Should you double major or minor? Everything you need to know
Tips for majoring in interdisciplinary studies
Know your options
Not every school offers interdisciplinary studies as a major, so be sure to do your research when applying to different colleges. For the schools that do support interdisciplinary studies, you may be faced with a couple different options. Many universities have majors that already fall under the scope of interdisciplinary studies. For instance, some schools actually offer international business as a major. But for the schools that don’t, you may be able to craft your own major by combining international studies and business into one discipline.
Consult your advisor
If you’re putting together an interdisciplinary major from scratch, you’ll definitely want to lean on your academic advisor for support. You should work with your advisor to tailor your coursework to fit your goals and interests. You’ll still have to meet core requirements in order to graduate, so you’ll need a four-year plan that checks off all the boxes. It’s also helpful to meet with your professors and see how you can make connections between subjects.
Be intentional
The whole point of interdisciplinary studies is to learn about different subjects that support each other and make sense when paired together. That means you shouldn’t combine random majors just for the sake of it. For instance, combining computer science and cinematography may not be the best use of an interdisciplinary major. It’s perfectly okay to study disparate subjects such as these, but double majoring might be a more effective approach. In the case of interdisciplinary studies, pick subjects that mesh well together and have the potential to advance your career goals.
Also read: What is a minor in college?
Still unsure about your major? Try consulting one of our major guides to get an idea for prospective coursework and career opportunities in each field. And if you are looking to make a practical choice for your career, try our list of the top college majors for the future.
Next Steps
Frequently asked questions about interdisciplinary studies
Can I create an interdisciplinary degree at any university?
What kind of degree will I get if I pursue interdisciplinary studies?
How do concentrations work in interdisciplinary studies?