Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

A Flexible Degree for Working Adults

Build career momentum with a bachelor’s degree that doesn’t lock you into one narrow track. In the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program, you’re empowered to shape your own path and attain your purpose by choosing courses that match your interests across multiple academic disciplines. You also can apply credits from past coursework and professional experience toward earning your 100 percent online degree.

Designed for adult learners, this program helps you finish your degree and complete your story.

What Will You Study in the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies Program?

A Degree That Fits You, Not The Other Way Around

If you’re ready to complete your bachelor’s degree but don’t want a one-size-fits-all major, Whitworth Online offers an interdisciplinary studies degree that matches your ambitions. With guidance from an advisor, you shape your plan of study. You also develop career-ready skills such as:

  • Clear writing and confident communication.
  • Critical thinking and analysis across disciplines.
  • Research skills and working with credible sources.
  • Problem-solving from multiple perspectives.
  • Ethical reasoning and values-based decision-making.
  • The ability to connect ideas to real-world challenges.

You also benefit from the flexibility online learning provides, including six-week courses and five start dates per year. You can earn your degree without having to relocate, drive to campus every day or put the rest of your life on pause.

  • Rankings That Back Your Decision

    Respected in the Northwest and Beyond

    Whitworth University is ranked the #1 best value in the Northwest by U.S. News & World Report and recognized as a “Best in the West” university by The Princeton Review. Earn your degree with confidence, supported by a university employers respect for its high quality and student outcomes.

  • A Program Built Around You

    Explore the Subjects That Fit Your Path

    You work with an advisor to choose courses that match your goals and build a focused plan of study. There are only two required courses, Being Human and the Interdisciplinary Capstone, giving you maximum flexibility in designing your degree to match your interests. Our faculty mentors also work with you one on one to weave your diverse courses and passions into a meaningful, 18-week capstone project that you design. You choose courses from topics that include:

    Art
    Communication
    Business and Economics
    English Literature

    Film Studies
    History
    Leadership Studies
    Philosophy

    Political science
    Psychology
    Sociology
    Theology

  • Skills You Can Use Anywhere

    Learning Outcomes That Translate to Work and Life

    In the interdisciplinary studies degree program, you strengthen skills that travel with you across roles and industries. They include the ability to articulate human experience and values and communicate clearly in writing and speech. You also build cultural competence and explore options for further study.

  • Credit For Previous Education and Experience

    Whitworth Makes Finishing Possible

    At Whitworth Online, you can turn your collection of past credits and diverse passions into a 100 percent online, customized B.A. We built our program to maximize your A.A., A.A.S. and prior work experience transfer credits. You’ll be guided by a personal advisor and faculty mentor from start to finish.

    Learn More About Transfer Credits

  • Affordable and Highly Focused

    Whitworth Offers High ROI for Adult Learners

    If you feel held back in your career or cannot attain your purpose because you are missing a degree, this bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies offers a solution. We’ve made our highly respected degree affordable for adult learners. Combined with the transfer credit policy, financial aid, scholarships and grants, you can efficiently earn the credential you need for your next career step.

    Learn More About Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants

A Degree Designed by You

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies Program Details

You work with an advisor to choose courses that match your goals and build a focused plan of study. There are only two required courses, Being Human and the Interdisciplinary Capstone, giving you maximum flexibility in designing your degree to match your interests.

In Whitworth Online’s bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies, you choose courses from different disciplines to build your own degree. The average completion time is two and a half years with an A.A. or applied associate degree (A.A.S. or other), or four to five years with no transfer credits.
A minimum of 36 semester credits is required for your completion of the interdisciplinary studies major. At least 15 credits must be from areas in the humanities: art, communication studies, English, history, music, philosophy, theology or theatre. Up to 15 credits may be from the social sciences: economics, political science, psychology or sociology.

All adult education programs from Whitworth include shared curriculum and elective coursework to complete degree requirements. Some of the requirements may be met by courses offered in the major. Shared curriculum courses include:

  • Worldview Development
  • Biblical Literature
  • Literature & Storytelling
  • Historical Analysis
  • Culture & Diversity
  • Math and Statistics
  • Natural Science
  • Social Science
  • Communication & Context
  • Written Communication
  • Fine Arts
  • Habits of the Mind

Potential Careers With an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree

Graduates from the bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies are prepared for careers in a variety of fields. They include:

Project Manager
Policy Analyst
Nonprofit Director
Business Owner
Public Relations Specialist

Marketing Manager
Human Resources Specialist
Community Health Worker
Government Administrator
Lobbyist

Journalist
Case Manager
Bank Manager
Health Center Director
Social Advocate

Many students also use this degree as a pathway to graduate programs, such as an MBA or M.Div. Recent graduates from the program have earned jobs at a wide range of employers. They include:

YMCA
Washington State Attorney General’s Office
Kaiser Permanente
Chase Bank

Spokane County District Court
Lockheed Martin
Spokane County Law Library
Spokane County USPS
American Medical

Response
Pitney Bowes
Spokane Public Schools
Herman, Herman & Jolley, P.S.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

All B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies students must meet the following Whitworth Online requirements. There is no application fee.

You should be a working adult, defined as 23 years or older, with two years of professional work experience. (If you are under the age of 23, review the Supplemental Requirements on the Admissions page).

Unofficial transcripts are allowed for application submission. To register you as a student and for you to qualify for financial aid, we require official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have previously attended. Missing Transcripts?

Because Whitworth’s adult education programs are offered part time, international students are ineligible to apply. We hope you’ll explore Whitworth’s full-time program admissions.

Whitworth University is exploring a new model to enhance this program’s accessibility and efficiency. As part of our commitment to innovation, we have proposed a condensed curriculum to our accreditor. Pending approval, this revised structure will significantly streamline degree requirements – allowing you to reach your academic goals faster and at a lower cost, without sacrificing quality. Continue to check here in the future for updates.

The Whitworth Difference

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Receive the support you need from Whitworth to turn your career ambitions into achievements. We’re here to help you along every step of your online journey.

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