Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Keep future career options open with a liberal arts degree
Freedom. Flexibility. Possibility. There’s something about an online liberal arts degree that allows you to pursue an education based upon your own passions and interests. NU’s BA in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed to provide you with a well-rounded education that focuses on reasoning, intellect, and ethical development. With this knowledge, you’ll be equipped for a broad range of professional pursuits beyond graduation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American will change jobs more than 10 times over the course of their career, and those moves don’t necessarily happen within the same industry. No matter where your career path takes you, this rich and rigorous curriculum can prepare you for career options in our ever-changing cultural and economic environment. You’ll develop a strong background in research and writing and well-rounded critical thinking skills, which are valued by employers in just about any field.
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Program Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of National University’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program, you’ll develop the following skills:
- Demonstrate an understanding of interdisciplinary theory and the practice of critical thinking for the collection, validation, analysis, and synthesis of historical data and new information
- Explain the integration of knowledge in a global context and engage in collaborative research across disciplines
- Identify and appreciate the cultural perspectives of world views
- Use information communication technology for knowledge sharing and the interdisciplinary approach
- Demonstrate a deep and flexible understanding of subject matter
Click here for program-specific course information.
This NU liberal arts program focuses on helping you build essential skills in research and writing that can be applicable to almost any future career choice. Our goal is to prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue entry-level positions in an area that interests you.
A broad-based liberal arts education gives you a foundation to plan and pursue many different career tracks. You may even opt to expand your education and earn your teaching credential. The point is, NU’s BA in Interdisciplinary Studies gives you an extraordinary amount of control over the direction your professional life takes after you graduate. For example, Emsi Labor Analyst data suggests graduates with this degree will be qualified to pursue opportunities in:
- Teaching
- Communications
- Research
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Management
More specifically, employment data pulled from multiple sources by Emsi identifies education as being the most common fit for job seekers with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, with the most prevalent career paths being:
- Adjunct faculty at colleges and universities
- K-12 teachers in public and private schools
- Education administrators
- Tutors and instructors
Throughout the Bachelor of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies program, you’ll participate in a well-rounded education designed to enhance reasoning, intellect, and ethical development, with interdisciplinary studies courses that include English and literature, social sciences, behavioral sciences, mathematics, humanities, natural sciences, and others. This rich and challenging path will prepare you for professional work in the changeable modern world and global economy.
To receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level and a minimum 69 units of the University General Education requirements.
The following courses are specific degree requirements. If students intend to complete a teacher credentialing program, these courses will help prepare for the MSAT and Basic Skills requirement tests.
In the absence of transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the total units for the degree. Students should refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information on admission and evaluation. All students receiving an undergraduate degree in Nevada are required by State Law to complete a course in Nevada Constitution.
Preparation for the Major (3 courses; 13.5 quarter units)
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIT 100 | Introduction to Literature | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| ENG 310 | English Grammar | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| OR | |||
| ENG 375 | Nature Writing | ENG 102; ENG 240, or ENG 334A | 4.50 |
| HIS 220A | United States History I | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| OR | |||
| HIS 220B | United States History II | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
Requirements for the Major (13 courses; 58.5 quarter units)
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 380 | Democracy in the Information Age | ENG 102 | 4.50> |
| SOC 336 | American Film and Society | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| OR | |||
| SOC 350 | Cultural Diversity | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| BIS 301 | Intro to Interdisciplinary Studies | N/A | 4.50 |
| BIS 401 | Interdisciplinary Practice: In | BIS 301 and four additional courses from the major | 4.50 |
Select one 4.5 quarter unit course in literature (LIT)
The following are recommended:
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIT 321 | American Literature I | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
| LIT 322 | American Literature II | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
| LIT 338 | Shakespeare | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
| LIT 345 | Mythology | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
| LIT 446 | Studies in Poetry | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
| LIT 450 | Studies in the Novel | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
| LIT 460 | Gender and Literature | ENG 240 and LIT 100 | 4.50 |
Select one 4.5 quarter unit course in social sciences (HIS, POL, SOC)
The following are recommended:
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIS 320 | Culture of Global Capitalism | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| HIS 410 | California History | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 325 | Popular Culture | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 344 | Love, Sex, and the Family | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 445 | Contemporary Social Problems | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 440 | Power and Social Change | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
Select one 4.5 quarter unit course in behavioral sciences (HUB, PSY).
The following are recommended:
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUB 420 | Human Communication | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| HUB 440 | Organizational Development | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| PSY 426 | History and Philosophy Psych | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| PSY 427 | Biological Psychology | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| PSY 428 | Developmental Psychology | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| PSY 429 | Intro to Personality Theory | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| PSY 432 | Social Psychology | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
| PSY 433 | Cognitive Psychology | ENG 102; PSY 100 | 4.50 |
Students should choose no fewer than 4.5 quarter units in natural science and 4.5 quarter units in mathematics. A third 4.5 quarter unit course (either SCI, BIO, EES, or MTH) must also be selected. Some of the mathematics courses may have more than one prerequisite.
The following are recommended:
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCI 300 | Geography | 4.5 | |
| BIO 330 | Ecology | BIO 161; BIO 162; BIO 163; BIO 169A; CHE141; CHE 142; CHE 143; CHE 149A | 4.50 |
| BIO 411 | Biodiversity | Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 161; BIO 162; BIO 163; BIO 100A, or BIO 100 and BIO 100A or equivalent | 4.50 |
| BIO 450 | Natural History of California | BIO 161; BIO 162; BIO 163; BIO 100A, or BIO100; BIO 100A | 4.50 |
| MTH 301 | Fundamentals of Mathematics II | MTH 209A | 4.50 |
| MTH 317 | Mathematical Modeling | MTH 215, or MTH 216A and MTH 216B and MTH 210 | 4.50 |
| MTH 410 | Technology in Math Education | MTH 215, or MTH 216A and MTH 216B, or MTH 301 | 4.50 |
| MTH 411 | Number Theory | MTH 216B, or MTH 215, or MTH 301 | 4.50 |
| MTH 412 | History of Mathematics | MTH 215, or MTH 301, or MTH 216A and MTH 216B | 4.50 |
| MTH 417 | Foundations of Geometry | MTH 216A and MTH 216B, or MTH 215 and MTH 311 | 4.50 |
| MTH 418 | Statistical Analysis | MTH 210 and MTH 220 | 4.50 |
| BIS 405 | Genetic Anthropology | BIS 301; Recommended: Prior completion of: MTH 215 | 4.50 |
Select nine (9.0) quarter units from the humanities complex (ART, HIS, HUM, MUS, PHL, SOC, THR, GLS).
The following are required:
| Course | Description | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART 315 | Film as Art | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| ART 323 | Modern Art | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| ART 329 | World Art | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| HIS 345 | Latin American Studies | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| HIS 348 | Asian Studies | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| HIS 349 | African Studies | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| MUS 326 | American Music | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| MUS 327 | World Music | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| PHL 320 | World Religions | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| PHL 339 | Study of a Major Philosopher | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| PHL 375 | Environmental Ethics | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| PHL 337 | Ethics | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 328 | Intercultural Thinking | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 400 | Race & Ethnicity in the U.S. | ENG 102 | 4.50 |
| SOC 410 | Gender and Society | ENG 240 | 4.50 |
Capstone course
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIS 499 | Interdisciplinary Studies Project | 4.50 |
Upper-Division Electives (2 courses; 9 quarter units)
Students can select any 300, 400, or 500 level courses in arts and sciences to complete the total of 76.5 upper-division units for the degree. For course listings, please visit our catalog.
To make learning flexible and convenient, National University offers a variety of course formats, including online, on-site, and hybrid courses. Please note that the modality of any course may vary from the scheduling of any program-specific courses on a month-to-month basis. In this program, you will take:
- On-site courses – This includes on-ground, in-person course instruction, which could be either on-site or at another learning site at a specific time, place, and location. On-site courses may have course information, work, or other education-related items delivered through online environments and tools.
- Online courses – This includes instruction that is fully virtual and online, comprised of regular and substantive interaction between students and their instructors in either an asynchronous or synchronous format. Asynchronous online classrooms provide instruction, lessons, and coursework via an online learning management system that allows students to view instructional materials each week at times of their choice. Synchronous classes require students to log in, engage, and attend at specific times and dates, leveraging web and videoconferencing technologies to provide instruction, lessons, and coursework in real time.
- Hybrid courses include both on-site and online instruction. Hybrid courses can have multiple deliveries of course instruction/materials and will have on-ground requirements at specific locations and times. The online learning management system is often used to present or supplement course lessons, work, information, and assessments.
Jackson M.
Class of 2021, Military Veteran
“NU’s faculty are established scholars and creators in their own fields. They’re dedicated to making your entry into their disciplines a successful one, preparing you for your career as well as graduate study.”
BA Interdisciplinary Studies FAQs
The short answer is … a lot of things. Because you’ll be gaining knowledge in several different subject areas and building your critical thinking skills, you’ll graduate with the qualifications to pursue jobs in a broad range of fields — everything from healthcare and education to business and finance.
While a traditional, career-specific degree program puts you on a track to enter a particular field, studying liberal arts empowers you to focus your education on more than one area of interest. In this curriculum, you can expect a broad and demanding program that’ll introduce you to the humanities, arts and sciences and guide you in discerning the connections across those disciplines.
Why Choose National University?
We’re proud to be a veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 180,000 alumni worldwide.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements in a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program-specific requirements. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.
