Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies
About the Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Slippery Rock University's Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Programs is the perfect choice if your academic and career interests don't fit neatly into a single box. This flexible degree allows you to either dive deep into a specialized field like Cognitive Science, Anthropology, or Philanthropy & Nonprofit Management, or work one-on-one with a faculty adviser to design a completely customized major that aligns with your unique goals. Whether you're starting as a freshman or finishing your degree through our online completion programs, the focus is on creating an educational pathway that combines insights from multiple disciplines to prepare you for a dynamic and evolving world.
What Can I Do With an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?
An Interdisciplinary Studies degree equips you with a versatile skill set that is highly valued in today's workforce. Your career path will be shaped by your chosen concentration; for example, a focus in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management can lead to roles as a program director or fundraiser, while Cognitive Science prepares you for careers in user experience (UX) research and artificial intelligence. Graduates are equipped to tackle complex challenges that require a broad perspective, making them ideal candidates for roles in government, education, social advocacy, and international relations. The degree's emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving also makes it excellent preparation for graduate programs, including law school.
Why Choose an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?
- Design Your Own Education
Our program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to create a customized program of study that combines your unique interests and aligns perfectly with your career or graduate school ambitions. - Dedicated Faculty Advising
You'll work closely with a faculty adviser who will serve as your mentor, helping you select courses, find internships, and design a capstone project that integrates your learning. - Focus on Real-World Application
Connect theory to practice through required experiential learning, which can include internships, student-faculty research, and international travel, ensuring you graduate with valuable hands-on experience. - Gain In-Demand Transferable Skills
Our curriculum is built to develop the skills employers value most: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively across different fields. - Online Degree Completion Pathways
For students with prior college credit, we offer fully online degree completion options in Philanthropy & Nonprofit Management, Leadership Studies, and Liberal Arts, allowing you to finish your degree on your schedule.
Interdisciplinary Studies BS and Concentrations
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Anthropology
You will be exposed to a diverse and balanced curriculum spanning the sub-disciplines of anthropology including archaeology, biocultural anthropology, and cultural anthropology. The curriculum is strongly science-based in its method and theory, and will encourage you to apply what you've learned to potential careers in technological, service, environmental, heritage and medical fields.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Cognitive Science
Gives you an interdisciplinary look at the mind, combining insights from psychology, computer science, philosophy, and neuroscience to explore how we think, learn, and perceive the world. This unique approach prepares you to tackle complex problems in fields like artificial intelligence, user experience (UX) research, and data analysis, or to pursue advanced graduate studies in a variety of related disciplines.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Cultural Area Studies
You'll explore regions like Asia, Europe, or Latin America by studying their history, politics, languages, and arts. You'll connect classroom theory to the real world through internships, international travel, and a final capstone project, graduating with the cultural sensitivity and global perspective needed for a wide range of careers.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Gender and Diversity Studies
Explores how social identities like gender, race, sexuality, and class intersect and impact our daily lives. Using a critical approach, you'll analyze how systems of privilege, power, and oppression are created and challenged, learning how you can be an agent for social change.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Leadership Studies
Every brilliant idea needs someone to bring it to fruition. Great success stories all have one common character: a leader. Whether you've always been the person who can rally a team to get a job done, or you're the one with the big ideas and you're looking for the tools to bring them to life, Leadership Studies will lead to a rewarding career.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Liberal Arts
A flexible, outcome-based degree that lets you either design your own major in areas like Sociology, Non-Profit Leadership, or Pre-Law, or build upon your prior credits to complete your degree. Working with an adviser, you'll select courses and experiential learning opportunities to master competencies in communication, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills, giving you a unique education tailored to your specific career or graduate school goals.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management
Prepares you to advocate for social change and make a real-world impact in your community. On top of your degree, you'll also be eligible to earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, giving you a major advantage in the nonprofit sector.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Sociology
Race, ethnicity, gender, age, education, and social class impact every area of our lives. At SRU, you'll experience a curriculum that reflects the broad scope of the field and develop evaluation techniques, communications skills and problem solving skills that will give you a competitive edge as you enter the workforce.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management - Online Degree Completion Program
designed for students who already have an associate degree or 60+ college credits and want to finish their bachelor's to work in the nonprofit sector. The curriculum gives you the practical skills you'll need to succeed, including fundraising, grant writing, program management, and volunteer supervision, preparing you to be an effective leader in a mission-driven organization.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Leadership Studies - Online Degree Completion Program
Perfect for students with an associate degree or 60+ college credits who want to finish their bachelor's and build versatile leadership skills for any career field. The curriculum focuses on teaching you how to make decisions, analyze data, and communicate professionally, giving you the practical tools needed to lead teams and manage projects effectively.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs, BS - Concentration in Liberal Arts - Online Degree Completion Program
For students with an associate degree or 60+ college credits who want the flexibility to finish their bachelor's degree. You'll work one-on-one with a faculty adviser to create a customized liberal arts program, making the best use of your previously earned credits to meet your unique career and educational goals.
Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Interdisciplinary Programs - Certificates
For a listing of this program’s undergraduate certificates and related offerings, visit SRU’s official program catalog page.
Catalog | Program ListCareer Outcomes
The flexibility of an Interdisciplinary Studies degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers where adaptability and a broad skillset are valued. Graduates have secured careers in the following areas:
- Business and Corporate Sector
- Nonprofit and Social Services
- Healthcare and Public Health
- Government and Public Sector
- Education and Research
- Law, Corrections, and Criminal Justice
- International and Global Affairs
- Arts, Culture, and Heritage
Clubs & Organizations
- Arabic Club, China Club, or Japan Club
- Gender Studies Club
- Interdisciplinary Programs Honorary
- Sociology and Anthropology Society
- SRU-Project to End Human Trafficking
Resources
From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.
