What Is Interdisciplinary Studies? Degree, Major and Career Guide

University of North Carolina Wilmington — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:51:21 +0000

What is interdisciplinary studies, and what can you do with an interdisciplinary studies degree after graduation? An interdisciplinary studies degree combines coursework from multiple subject areas into one flexible major designed to build transferable skills for a wide range of careers.

Explore what an interdisciplinary studies degree is, what you can do with it and why it’s a flexible option for working adults finishing college.

What Is Interdisciplinary Studies? A Flexible Degree Built Around Your Goals

Interdisciplinary studies is an academic approach that combines coursework from multiple disciplines into one degree program. Instead of focusing on a single subject, students connect ideas across fields to build broad, transferable skills applicable to many careers.

If you’ve looked into finishing your degree, you’ve probably come across interdisciplinary studies and wondered what it means. Is it flexible? Is it respected? What can you do with an interdisciplinary studies degree once you graduate?

The short answer: an interdisciplinary studies degree is designed to help students connect learning across multiple subjects while building practical skills that apply in many different careers.

For adults returning to college with previous credits, that flexibility can be especially valuable. Many interdisciplinary studies programs are built to help students apply past coursework, stay on track while balancing work and life and complete a bachelor’s degree without starting over.

What Is Interdisciplinary Studies?

Interdisciplinary studies combines learning across different academic fields instead of focusing on a single subject alone.

Rather than studying topics separately, students explore how disciplines connect and apply to real situations. Coursework may include areas like business, communication, humanities, technology, social sciences, leadership or organizational studies, depending on the program and track selected. That flexibility is part of why interdisciplinary studies programs have grown steadily over time.

What Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?

An interdisciplinary studies degree is a bachelor’s degree that combines coursework from multiple disciplines into one structured program.

Unlike a traditional major focused deeply on one subject, interdisciplinary studies programs are designed to connect ideas across fields while helping students shape a degree around their goals and interests.

Most programs include foundational coursework, a concentration or track option, career-focused electives and a capstone project.

The capstone is usually completed near the end of the program and asks students to apply what they’ve learned to a real-world issue or professional challenge.

The broad structure gives students flexibility while still providing direction and purpose.

Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Worth It?

For many students, yes.

An interdisciplinary studies degree can be a strong option for adults who want a degree that feels practical, flexible and connected to real career goals.

Employer research continues to show that companies value skills like communication, collaboration and problem-solving across industries. According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 92 percent of employers said it’s important for students to have been exposed to a variety of disciplines.¹

That lines up closely with how interdisciplinary studies programs are designed.

Many programs also work well for adults balancing work and family responsibilities because they offer:

Flexible online formats

Accelerated terms

Transfer-friendly policies

Dedicated advising and support

What Skills Do You Learn in an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program?

One of the biggest strengths of an interdisciplinary studies degree is that it helps students build transferable skills that apply across industries and career paths.

Because interdisciplinary studies combines learning from multiple subject areas, students develop the ability to think broadly, connect ideas and adapt to different professional environments. These are skills employers increasingly value in workplaces that require collaboration, communication and continuous learning.

Common skills developed in an interdisciplinary studies degree program include:

Communication

Students strengthen written, verbal and professional communication skills through research, presentations, collaborative projects and applied coursework. Strong communication skills are valuable in nearly every industry, from business and marketing to nonprofit leadership and workforce development.

Research and Analytical Thinking

Interdisciplinary studies programs often require students to evaluate information from multiple perspectives and sources. That process helps build research skills, analytical thinking and the ability to assess complex problems thoughtfully and strategically.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Rather than approaching issues through a single discipline, interdisciplinary studies encourages students to connect ideas across fields. This helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that support decision-making in real-world professional settings.

Collaboration and Leadership

Many interdisciplinary studies courses involve team-based projects, discussions and collaborative learning experiences. Students learn how to work across different viewpoints while building leadership, organization and interpersonal skills that translate well into management and team-oriented roles.

Adaptability and Career Flexibility

Because the degree focuses on broad, transferable skills, interdisciplinary studies graduates are often well-positioned to adapt as industries evolve. That flexibility can be especially valuable for adults pursuing career advancement, changing industries or preparing for roles that continue shifting alongside technology and workforce needs.

Digital Literacy and Project Management

Many interdisciplinary studies programs also incorporate digital tools, project-based learning and applied technology skills. At UNCW, students in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities track can complete an embedded AI literacy certificate designed to strengthen digital fluency and practical understanding of emerging workplace technologies.

Project-based coursework also helps students develop planning, coordination and organizational skills that support careers involving operations, communication, training and leadership.

Together, these skills help prepare graduates for a wide range of professional environments while building a foundation for long-term career growth.

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What Is an Interdisciplinary Studies Major?

An interdisciplinary studies major is the focused pathway students follow within the broader degree program.

At UNCW, students in the online B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies choose from two tracks that align with different goals and career interests.

Enterprise and Economy

This track focuses on how organizations operate, grow and adapt. Students develop skills in business fundamentals, problem-solving and decision-making while exploring topics like markets, entrepreneurship and economic systems. This track has broad applications and is well-suited for those looking to strengthen their business knowledge and expand career opportunities.

Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities

This track takes an expansive, more flexible approach by connecting ideas across disciplines like culture, communication, technology and society. Students develop critical thinking, research and communication skills while exploring topics that shape how people live and work. This track also includes an optional embedded AI literacy certificate, helping to build digital fluency alongside your degree.

Interdisciplinary Studies vs. a Double Major

An interdisciplinary studies degree is not the same as a double major.

A double major requires students to complete the requirements for two separate academic programs. An interdisciplinary studies degree combines multiple disciplines into one integrated program.

That difference matters for students looking for flexibility and a more efficient path to graduation.

Double Major

Two separate programs

Two sets of graduation requirements

Often requires additional credits

Coursework completed separately

Interdisciplinary Studies Degree

One integrated degree

Coursework designed around connected subjects

Flexible track structure

Focus on transferable skills and applied learning

For adults returning with transfer credits, interdisciplinary studies programs are often easier to navigate because they are built with degree completion in mind.

What Can You Do with an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?

What you can do with an interdisciplinary studies degree depends on your interests, concentration and professional experience, but graduates commonly work in business, communications, project management, education, nonprofit leadership and organizational operations.

For adults returning to college, that flexibility can be especially valuable because it allows students to build on existing professional experience while expanding long-term career opportunities.

Common career areas for interdisciplinary studies majors include:

Business operations

Project coordination

Human resources

Marketing and communications

Workforce learning and development

Education support roles

Community outreach

Nonprofit leadership

Organizational leadership

Public service and administration

Some graduates also pursue graduate degrees in areas like business administration, education, communication, public administration or organizational leadership.

Because interdisciplinary studies develops broad professional skills, the degree can support both career advancement within an existing field and movement into new opportunities over time.

Highest-Paying Careers for Interdisciplinary Studies Graduates

Salary outcomes vary depending on industry, experience level and career path, but interdisciplinary studies graduates may move into leadership and professional roles with strong earning potential over time.

Fields connected to project management, operations, organizational leadership and communications can offer especially strong salary growth opportunities for professionals who combine communication and analytical skills with workplace experience.

For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that project management specialists earned a median annual salary of $98,580 in 2025.² Operations managers, human resources specialists and communications professionals may also see increasing opportunities as organizations continue prioritizing collaboration, workforce development and strategic communication.

Best Jobs for Interdisciplinary Studies Majors

An interdisciplinary studies degree can prepare students for careers across many industries because the program emphasizes adaptable, transferable skills. Graduates often move into roles that require communication, coordination, leadership and problem-solving across teams and organizations.

Career	Median Salary	Why It Fits Interdisciplinary Studies
Project Coordinator	Varies by industry and experience	Requires organization, collaboration and communication across departments
Human Resources Specialist	$72,910³	Focuses on communication, employee support and organizational operations
Marketing Coordinator	Varies by organization and region	Combines communication, strategy, research and analytical thinking
Corporate Trainer	$66,350⁴	Involves workforce learning, communication and leadership development
Operations Manager	$102,950⁵	Requires problem-solving, leadership and cross-functional coordination

These careers reflect the versatility of an interdisciplinary studies degree and the value employers place on professionals who can adapt, communicate effectively and connect ideas across different areas of work.

Because interdisciplinary studies majors often develop broad professional and analytical skills, graduates may also continue growing into leadership positions as they gain industry experience.

Business and Project Management Careers

Interdisciplinary studies graduates often move into roles that require collaboration across teams and departments.

Related career paths may include:

Project coordinator

Operations manager

Program administrator

Business analyst

Team lead

Corporate trainer

These positions often require communication, organization, and problem-solving skills that translate well across career paths.

Communications and Marketing Careers

Students interested in writing, communication, media or public engagement may pursue careers in communications and marketing.

Potential roles include:

Public relations specialist

Marketing coordinator

Content strategist

Social media manager

Technical writer

Brand communications specialist

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $66,750 for public relations specialists.⁶

As organizations continue expanding digital communication efforts, professionals who can combine communication skills with analytical thinking remain in demand.

Human Resources, Education and Nonprofit Careers

Interdisciplinary studies graduates also work in people-focused roles across business, education and nonprofit organizations.

Career paths may include:

Recruiter

Human resources coordinator

Employee relations specialist

Academic advisor

Training coordinator

Community outreach coordinator

Nonprofit program manager

These careers often require communication, empathy, collaboration and the ability to work across different perspectives.

How AI Literacy Is Creating New Career Opportunities

AI tools are changing the way organizations work across industries, not just in technology fields.

According to Lightcast, more than half of the job postings surveyed that requested candidates have AI skills were not for IT and computer science roles.⁷

That means employers increasingly value professionals who can understand, evaluate and communicate about AI tools in practical workplace settings.

UNCW’s Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities track includes an optional embedded AI literacy certificate designed to help students build applied digital skills alongside communication and humanities coursework. For those not interested in earning the full certificate, several AI courses are available for students in either track.

Why an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Works Well for Adult Learners

Many adults returning to college already have credits, work experience and clear goals. In fact, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 37.5 million adults of working age in the U.S. have some college credit but no completed credential.⁸

What these adult learners often need is a program flexible enough to help them keep moving forward. Interdisciplinary studies programs are commonly designed with that reality in mind.

That may include:

Fully online coursework

Accelerated 7-week terms

Multiple start dates

Generous transfer credit policies

Dedicated advising

Flexible degree pathways

For many of those students, interdisciplinary studies offers a way to build on what they’ve already earned instead of starting over.

Your Path to an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree at UNCW

For many adults returning to college, the challenge is finding a degree path that recognizes what they have already completed, connects to where they want to go next and makes steady progress possible alongside work and life responsibilities. Interdisciplinary studies works well in that scenario because it gives students room to build on previous coursework while developing practical, transferable skills.

UNCW’s online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed specifically for students ready to finish what they started and move forward with purpose. Built as a flexible degree-completion program, it allows students to apply up to 90 eligible transfer credits and choose a focused track aligned with their goals. Students can pursue either Enterprise and Economy or Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities, which includes an embedded AI literacy certificate designed to build workforce-relevant digital skills. Students strengthen communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through coursework connected to real-world applications and a senior capstone project grounded in a practical issue or topic.

As part of UNCW’s online programs for degree completers, students benefit from a structure designed to support consistent progress. Courses are delivered in fully online, 7-week terms with six start dates each year, making it easier to keep moving without waiting for a traditional semester schedule. Dedicated success coaches and advisors provide one-on-one support from the beginning, while courses taught by UNCW faculty maintain the same academic quality and connected learning experience students expect from UNCW.

Not Sure What’s Right for You?

Your situation is specific. So is the conversation you’ll have with an admissions specialist. They’ll look at what you’ve already earned, show how it applies to a UNCW degree and point you toward the program that actually fits your life. Reach out whenever you’re ready, even if “ready” just means curious.