Interdisciplinary Studies, MA
Opportunities and challenges in the world are rarely one-dimensional, and solutions often require skills from multiple disciplines. Combine courses across disciplines to design a customized path of study. Develop broad expertise and innovative perspectives for careers that demand creativity, adaptability and outside-the-box thinking.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
ASU is not currently accepting new students to this program.
Degree description
The Master of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies is an innovative program in which you learn how to use two or more disciplines in an integrative method that leads to new discoveries. Founded on the conviction that solving today's problems often requires an interdisciplinary approach, this flexible program provides study of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives, interdisciplinary research methods, and modes of inquiry and practice.
The program consists of three required MAS courses, six courses of your choice and a capstone the final semester, and gives you access to faculty members who are active practitioners of interdisciplinary inquiry. Working with the faculty, you may define your own area of emphasis or adopt an existing area within the humanities, arts and social sciences.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (MAS 585)
Required Core (9 credit hours) Electives (18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information For electives, students work with a faculty mentor to select 18 credit hours of graduate-level coursework that helps prepare them for their capstone course or reflects particular areas of specialty or interest.
MAS 501 Methods for Interdisciplinary Inquiry (3)
MAS 502 Perspectives in Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
MAS 505 Theories of Change, Culture and Mind (3)
MAS 585 Capstone Course (3)
The core courses are designed as a sequence meant to guide students through the program, from learning about interdisciplinarity to practicing interdisciplinary research. Therefore, students are required to take each of the core courses the first time that they are available while the student is enrolled in the program.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals. It is preferred that the letters of recommendation come from faculty members who know the applicant's work well; if faculty are not available, the recommendations should come from individuals in supervisory or professional roles. Submission of a resume or curriculum vitae is optional.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The program's emphasis on a variety of research methods and modes of inquiry increases graduates' value to many organizations. They reach their professional goals in a multitude of industries and organizations, including advertising and marketing, nonprofit leadership and media production, museum curatorship, community college teaching and modern entrepreneurship.
Career examples include:
- archivist
- area, ethnic and cultural studies teacher or professor
- education administrator
- high school teacher
- human resources manager
- interdisciplinary research specialist
- market research analyst or marketing specialist
- nonprofit manager
- professor
- research consultant
The skills and knowledge that graduates have acquired can be directed toward doctoral study or professional goals in any enterprise that engages in research, entrepreneurship or education.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies
|
FAB N101
NCGradAdvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
