Interdisciplinary Studies Planning Guide
Is an INDS Degree Right for You?
Choose INDS if you:
- Would like to combine two or three Areas of Study rather than pursuing just one
- Would like your degree to fill a specific job description
- Would like to pursue a unique research topic
- Want to qualify for a graduate program
- Are a transfer student or have accumulated non-traditional credit from workforce or military experience and would like to learn about subjects that will complement what you have already learned
You shouldn’t choose INDS if you:
- Want to pursue a career that requires licensure and/or state/national examinations (Some fields such as Education or Counseling require licensure and this is best accomplished through a traditional degree program specifically designed to meet those requirements.)
- Want to pursue a graduate degree that requires a very specific kind of degree (Here, you should consider a traditional degree program that prepares you to meet this.)
Career Counseling Can Help You Decide
If you have multiple interests, it might be difficult to narrow your selection down to two or three Areas of Study. Interdisciplinary Studies has a number of dedicated program tracks you can choose from. Ultimately, the choice of which Area of Study you will use in your degree completion plan is yours.
You may decide to discuss your career options with one of our Career Counselors in the Career Center. In addition, the Career Center offers the Focus II assessment that will help determine your strengths in relation to a desirable career.
Interested in Graduate School?
Interdisciplinary Studies can be a perfect fit if you want to enter graduate school with a variety of skills and knowledge areas. You can complete the admissions requirements for your graduate program while developing other skills and passions.
If you want to take this route, you need to have a focused plan on how to prepare for your graduate program. Review admissions requirements for all of the graduate programs you are interested in. Make sure you meet those requirements while completing your INDS degree.
Become an INDS Student
New Students
If you applied to the B.A. or B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies degree through the application process, you need to wait for full admission to the university to declare your areas of study. Afterward, you will receive an email asking you to complete a survey online where you will select your Areas of Study.
Once you have completed the survey, you will receive an email within two weeks directing you to your degree completion plan (DCP) that will be viewable through your ASIST account.
If you have questions or did not receive the survey, please email interdisciplinary@liberty.edu.
Current Students
Change Your Major to INDS
- To find out what your degree would look like if you switched to INDS, email INDSareas@liberty.edu and include:
- Student ID
- B.S. or B.A. in INDS
- Areas of Study and number of hours for each
- If you are ready to switch your major to Interdisciplinary Studies, fill out the Change of Major form.
Change Your Areas of Study
- If you are a current INDS student and want to change your areas of study, fill out the Areas of Study Survey.*
*Students will automatically be able to complete this survey after completing the Change of Major form.
(You will not be able to complete this survey if you are not an INDS major.)
Create Your Custom INDS Program
Once you’ve chosen a degree, you can plan your own Interdisciplinary Studies degree using the following guidelines:
- Choose 2-3 Areas of Study
- These areas and the courses they contain should reflect your career or preferred master’s program’s prerequisites.
- For each Area of Study, you can choose a general area of study or a specialized one. General areas of study have a list of course codes you can choose any course from. You are allowed to use multiple course prefixes from the same general area of study. Specialized areas of study have specific classes you will take.
- You need 45 credits total with no fewer than 15 credits in each area of study.
- For 3 areas of study, this means 15 credits each.
- For 2 areas of study, this usually means 15 credits in one area and 30 in another, or 21 credits in one area and 24 credits on another.
- At least 9 of your 45 credits need to be upper-level (300-400).
If you plan to pursue an A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, you are not limited by specific areas of study. Please see the Degree Completion Plans, or ask an advisor or INDS faculty member for help in planning your degree.
Residential INDS Degree Completion Plans
Online Programs
Or, pursue your degree online with the Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Dedicated Program Tracks within Interdisciplinary Studies
Church SPED Coordinator
Academic Disciplines: Education, Religion, Behavioral Sciences
Prepare to work as a special education ministry coordinator.
TESL with Global Studies
Academic Disciplines: Education, Social Sciences
Teach English as a second language overseas with an emphasis on cultural awareness and missions.
Telemedical Technician
Academic Disciplines: Computational Sciences, Business
Support the growing field of telemedicine.
Military Leadership
Academic Disciplines: Military History, Project Management, Government
Prepare for military leadership in a variety of practical and theoretical ways.
Construction Supervisor
Academic Disciplines: Business, Technical Studies
Work as a construction supervisor with a focus on a trade.
Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Courses
Career Planning and Professional Development (INDS 200)
Knowledge Synthesis for Professional and Personal Development (INDS 400)
Integration of Faith, Learning, and Disciplines (INDS 499)