Do you have credits from an unfinished degree program? If so, and if you've been wanting to return to school to finish your undergraduate degree, then you may want to consider pursuing a multidisciplinary studies degree. This unique type of program allows you to combine elements of different disciplines, rather than focusing on a standalone major. With this highly personalized degree program, you can pursue your interests while putting previously earned credits to work.
What Are Multidisciplinary Programs?
Multidisciplinary degree programs are most frequently offered in the form of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). These are highly customizable and flexible degrees that allow students the freedom to combine previous college credits, diverse interests, and real-world experience into a single undergraduate degree.
Multidisciplinary degrees often give students the opportunity to combine areas of study, such as business, arts and humanities, science, and social science, into a unified program. This allows students to stay relevant and versatile in today's ever-changing job market.
Defining Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Studies
Multidisciplinary studies involves drawing from knowledge and experience across different disciplines to achieve a career-focused education. This concept is similar to interdisciplinary studies, which involves combining knowledge and experience from multiple fields to form a new field of study altogether. A prime example of an interdisciplinary field would be environmental science, which incorporates concepts from other fields like chemistry, geology, ecology, and beyond.
Multidisciplinary studies and interdisciplinary studies are terms often used interchangeably when referring to academic degrees. A student returning to school after a hiatus may aim to apply previous knowledge and experience toward a multidisciplinary degree—and, in some cases, there may be some relevance or interplay between credits previously earned and new credits.
Why They're Gaining Popularity Among College Students
Multidisciplinary degrees have become more popular among college students over the years, and for good reason. For one, employers are increasingly looking to hire professionals who are knowledgeable in areas beyond their immediate job titles. Because multidisciplinary studies graduates have studied in more than one field, this can help them compete in the job market.
Combine this with the fact that more students are leaving and returning to school, and it makes sense that a flexible degree option like a multidisciplinary degree would be an appealing choice. In fact, according to the Education Data Initiative, nearly one million students who dropped out of college in 2022 re-enrolled within the following year.
The Benefits of Multidisciplinary Programs for Degree Completion
No matter if you've taken a break from school or have decided to take your career in another direction, a multidisciplinary studies degree program can be an excellent way to apply your previous credits while creating a customized degree program tailored to your goals.
Flexible Course Selection for Diverse Interests
A multidisciplinary studies program allows students to choose from courses across a wide range of disciplines, empowering them to pursue diverse skills and interests rather than focusing on a single field of study. With this flexible course selection, students can take classes in the disciplines that most appeal to them and their future career goals.
With a multidisciplinary studies degree, you're truly in control of your educational experience. And with a little help from a knowledgeable academic advisor, you can shape your degree into something that works for you.
Credit Transfer and Prior Learning Recognition
Along with having more freedom to select courses that align with your personal goals and interests, a multidisciplinary studies degree offers the opportunity for you to turn your previous learning and experience into college credit. This remains true if you attended another school previously, even if you earned your credits many years ago. By meeting with an academic advisor who is familiar with the ins and outs of a multidisciplinary degree, you can maximize your transfer credits and ensure that you're fully recognized and credited for your prior learning.
Customizable Scheduling for Busy Lives
Because multidisciplinary programs are often pursued by working professionals, these programs tend to offer plenty of customizable and convenient scheduling options to make earning a degree easier. Many schools, for example, offer asynchronous online classes where students can complete coursework more or less on their own time. Meanwhile, those who prefer face-to-face interaction can take classes on campus or explore synchronous online courses.
Either way, the flexibility and customization of a multidisciplinary studies degree makes it possible for working professionals and other busy learners to pursue their degrees without putting other areas of their lives on hold.
Who Should Consider a Multidisciplinary Degree Program?
Clearly, there are plenty of benefits to pursuing a multidisciplinary studies degree, but is this the right choice for you? A multidisciplinary studies degree is ideal for:
- students with previous college credit but no degree, including those who have taken a two-year (or longer) break from school.
- adult learners re-entering education while working part- or full-time jobs and fulfilling other responsibilities.
- students with broad interests or career shifts whose academic interests don't align with a "traditional" degree program.
- students who simply want to pursue a well-rounded education while optimizing their versatility and adaptability in the job market.
Do any of these apply to you? You may want to consider meeting with an academic advisor to learn more about transfer credits and start building a degree plan that suits your needs.
Common Fields of Study Within These Programs
While no two multidisciplinary degree programs are exactly the same, many of them offer coursework across numerous fields of study. It is not uncommon for these programs to require coursework in some of the following areas:
- Arts and humanities
- History and social sciences
- Science and health science
- Communication
- Applied, technical, and professional studies
By diversifying your coursework and selecting classes from at least a few different disciplines, you can build a toolkit of marketable skills that may be applied to any number of careers. Not to mention, you'll develop valuable problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills that can serve you well in nearly any role.
How These Programs Help You Graduate Faster
If you want to earn your degree, a multidisciplinary studies program can help you streamline a path to completion. From there, you can enter (or re-enter) the workforce quickly and be equipped with the versatile skill set you need to thrive.
Streamlined Paths to Completion
Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to complete a multidisciplinary studies program will depend on how many credits you bring with you, as well as whether you decide to enroll in classes part- or full-time.
Most multidisciplinary studies programs at the undergraduate level require around 120 total credits to graduate. For most students bringing 60 credits with them and enrolling in full-time classes, it is possible to graduate in as few as two years.
Personalized Academic Advising
An experienced advisor is the professional who will work with you from exploration to admission to ensure that all applicable credits and experience transfer to your program. With personalized advising, you can rest assured that you're not leaving any credits on the table, which could help you finish your degree faster.
At the same time, an academic advisor will assist you throughout your program, answering questions you have about your degree plan, helping you find classes that accommodate your schedule, explaining college policies and procedures, pointing you to resources, and much more.
Career Opportunities With a Multidisciplinary Degree
What kinds of jobs might you be able to pursue with a multidisciplinary degree? While holding a degree alone doesn't guarantee employment, graduates can explore numerous career paths while putting their skills and knowledge to use across a variety of industries.
Versatile Career Outcomes
Some of the most common fields for multidisciplinary studies graduates include:
- Project management
- Public relations (PR)
- Human resources (HR)
- Business management
- Communications
- Marketing
- Health administration
- Nonprofit leadership
- Consultancy
- Entrepreneurship
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 62% of graduates with an interdisciplinary studies degree worked in one of the following areas:
- Management
- Healthcare and technical occupations
- Educational instruction and library occupations
- Business and financial operations
- Office and administrative support
Thus, the potential career opportunities for graduates with a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary studies degree are expansive, meaning you can explore a wide range of career paths based on your unique interests and talents. You can also use your degree to advance in your current field.
Tips for Choosing the Right Multidisciplinary Program
For those interested in completing a multidisciplinary studies degree, selecting the right program will be key to getting the most out of the experience.
What to Look for in a Program
As you explore potential multidisciplinary degree programs, start by narrowing down your options to accredited schools and programs only. When a school or program is accredited by a widely recognized institution, students can enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that their chosen school has met certain standards for quality and credibility.
In addition, students are encouraged to find a multidisciplinary degree program that will accommodate their unique learning needs. If you work a full-time job, for instance, you may have a hard time commuting to campus for in-person classes. In this case, finding a program with online classes may be more practical for your busy schedule.
Be sure, too, that the program offers coursework in the specific fields in which you are interested. Whether you want to study communication, social sciences, history, or any combination of fields, you'll want to find a program that can be tailored to meet your interests and career goals.
Questions to Ask an Admissions Advisor
Finally, choosing a program with a knowledgeable and helpful advisor can be crucial. As you prepare to apply for a multidisciplinary program, take the time to ask the right questions that can help you ensure that you've found your ideal fit. Here are some questions to consider asking an admissions advisor about a multidisciplinary degree program.
- How many of my previous credits will transfer to your program?
- How long will it take me to complete a degree program based on my transfer credits and enrollment status?
- Which areas of study does your program offer, and how many areas do I need to take credits in?
- How many credits am I required to take in each area of study?
Take the Next Step Toward Your Degree Today
For those with prior college credits that you're looking to leverage into a degree, a multidisciplinary studies program can be a practical choice. The key is to find one that will work with you to customize your plan of study and apply the coursework you've already completed to your credits earned. Along the way, having a dedicated advisor to walk you through the process can also make all the difference.
If you're ready to turn your past credits and passions into a personalized path to graduation, be sure to explore the Multidisciplinary Studies bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies, and discover how a flexible, career-focused education can help you finally finish your degree. Request more information about this program today, or take the next step by filling out an application for admission.
