Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.

Design a degree that reflects who you are and where you want to go.

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A Flexible Path That Leads to Real Outcomes

The Interdisciplinary Studies program at Cal State Monterey Bay offers a flexible, transfer-friendly path to earning your bachelor’s degree while connecting your interests, experiences and career goals. Instead of following a single track, you will combine two focus areas, such as business, health sciences, social sciences or the arts, to create a program that fits your goals.

This approach prepares you to think across disciplines, adapt to change and solve real-world challenges with creativity and insight. Whether you are returning to college, transferring credits or refining your direction, Interdisciplinary Studies helps you move forward with purpose and finish strong.

Why Choose Interdisciplinary Studies?

Build a Degree That Fits Your Life

This program is designed with flexibility in mind. Many courses are offered online or in hybrid formats, making it easier to balance school with work and other commitments.

Follow Your Interests

Choose courses across different fields to create a degree that reflects your goals — not just a single major.

Focus on Real-World Impact

You’ll learn how to connect ideas across disciplines and apply them to real challenges in your community and future career.

Get Personalized Support

From your first semester to graduation, you’ll work closely with faculty to map your path and stay on track.

A Flexible Path to Diverse Opportunities

By pursuing a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, you’ll expand your academic experience and open the door to a wide range of careers and graduate pathways.

The Interdisciplinary Studies program is designed for students who want flexibility, purpose and a degree that reflects their unique goals.

This program is a strong fit if you:

  • Have started college and want a flexible path to finish your degree
    Whether you paused your education or are transferring, this program helps you build on what you’ve already accomplished and move forward.
  • Have interests that span multiple fields
    If one major doesn’t fully capture your goals, this program allows you to combine areas of study in a way that makes sense for you.
  • Want to tailor your education to a specific career goal
    Design a degree that aligns with where you want to go—especially for careers that draw on multiple skill sets or disciplines.
  • Are balancing school with work, family or other responsibilities
    With flexible course options and personalized planning, the program supports students managing multiple commitments.
  • Are looking for a more personalized and student-centered experience
    You’ll work closely with faculty to create a clear academic plan and stay on track toward graduation.

If you’re looking for a degree that adapts to your life and prepares you for what’s next, Interdisciplinary Studies offers a path built around you.

You’ll build your degree by selecting courses from at least two focus areas, allowing you to explore different subjects while developing expertise that aligns with your goals:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business
  • Health Sciences
  • Science, Math and Technology
  • Social Sciences and Education

Within each area, you’ll choose from a wide range of courses across departments, giving you the flexibility to shape your academic experience around your interests, strengths and career plans.

You’ll complete at least one primary focus area and one secondary focus area, helping you gain both depth and range. This structure encourages you to think across disciplines — connecting ideas, approaches and perspectives in ways that reflect how real-world challenges are solved.

As you move through the program, you’ll apply what you learn in key experiences like your proseminar, service learning and capstone project. These courses help you integrate your knowledge, build practical skills and create a clear connection between your studies and your future.

This approach gives you both breadth and direction, so you graduate with a well-rounded education, a personalized academic pathway and the confidence to apply your learning in meaningful ways.

An Interdisciplinary Studies degree prepares you for a wide range of career paths by giving you the flexibility to combine knowledge, skills and experiences across fields. Instead of training for a single role, you’ll graduate ready to adapt, collaborate and grow in a changing workforce.

Graduates pursue opportunities in areas such as:

  • Business and entrepreneurship
    Apply your communication, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills in roles like project coordination, marketing, operations or starting your own venture.
  • Community and social services
    Work with nonprofit organizations, community programs or advocacy groups to support individuals and strengthen communities through meaningful, people-centered work.
  • Health and human services
    Contribute to roles in public health, wellness programs, case management or administrative support in healthcare settings, especially for those interested in the field without pursuing clinical licensure.
  • Education and public service
    Support learning and community development through roles in education programs, government agencies or outreach initiatives that create positive social impact.
  • Creative industries and media
    Combine storytelling, technology and cultural awareness in fields like media production, communications, content creation and the arts.

Because you design your degree around your interests, you can also tailor your coursework to align with emerging fields and evolving industries that don’t fit neatly into a single major.

Many students use the Interdisciplinary Studies degree as a strong foundation for graduate school or professional programs, including areas like education, social work, public administration, business and more.

Wherever your path leads, you’ll graduate with adaptable skills, real-world experience and a broad perspective that prepares you to navigate change and contribute in meaningful ways.

The Interdisciplinary Studies program is designed for transfer students and those returning to complete their degree.

To apply, you should have:

  • At least 60 transferable college units
    You’ll enter the program at the upper-division level, building on coursework you’ve already completed.
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA
    This ensures you’re prepared to succeed in advanced coursework across multiple disciplines.
  • Completion of foundational general education requirements
    This includes key courses in English composition and quantitative reasoning (math), which provide the skills needed for upper-division study.

Because this program is designed to be flexible and student-centered, it’s especially well-suited for students who have prior college experience and are ready to complete their degree with a clear, personalized path forward.

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Public University Price, Private University Experience

A Lifetime of Value

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CSUMB was pivotal in setting up our careers.

Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.

The Interdisciplinary Studies program is designed to help you build knowledge, skills and experiences that prepare you to navigate complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

As a graduate, you will be able to:

  • Integrate knowledge across disciplines
    Connect ideas, theories and approaches from multiple fields to better understand complex issues.
  • Think critically and solve real-world problems
    Analyze information from different perspectives and develop thoughtful, effective solutions.
  • Communicate with purpose and clarity
    Share ideas through written, oral and visual communication, adapting your message for different audiences and contexts.
  • Apply learning in professional and community settings
    Use your knowledge in hands-on experiences that connect your studies to real-world environments.
  • Act with integrity and social responsibility
    Work collaboratively and ethically in diverse communities, contributing to positive change.

These objectives reflect the skills and perspectives you’ll carry with you — preparing you not only for your first role after graduation, but for continued growth in your career and community.

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree is designed to be flexible while providing a clear path to graduation. You’ll complete a combination of core courses, focus area coursework and electives.

Total units: 120 (including transfer and general education)

For more information, please visit the Program Catalog.

Core Courses

These courses connect your learning across disciplines and guide your progress through the program:

  • IDS 300 — Major Proseminar
    Plan your degree, explore interdisciplinary approaches and build your academic roadmap.
  • IDS 313 — Interdisciplinary Studies Service Learning
    Apply your knowledge in a community setting and gain real-world experience.
  • IDS 400 — Capstone Seminar
    Complete a final project that integrates your coursework and demonstrates your skills.

Focus Areas

You’ll build your degree by selecting courses from at least two areas:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business
  • Health Sciences
  • Science, Math and Technology
  • Social Sciences and Education

Requirements:

  • One primary focus area (minimum 15 units)
  • One secondary focus area (minimum 9 units)

This structure allows you to develop both depth and breadth in your studies.

Upper-Division Requirements

As an upper-division student, you’ll also complete:

  • Upper-division general education courses
  • A writing requirement (GWAR)
  • An upper-division service learning experience

These courses strengthen your critical thinking, communication and analytical skills.

Electives

Electives give you the freedom to:

  • Explore additional interests
  • Deepen your focus areas
  • Support your career goals

You’ll work with an advisor to select courses that align with your personalized academic plan.

Transfer Pathway

This program is designed for students entering with 60 transferable units, allowing you to complete your degree in about two years with full-time enrollment.

An Inspiring Place to Learn

At Cal State Monterey Bay, learning goes beyond the classroom. Located along California’s central coast, the campus offers a unique setting that encourages exploration, creativity and connection across disciplines.

From the Monterey Bay to nearby agricultural communities, the region becomes part of your learning experience. You’ll have opportunities to connect your studies to real-world issues like sustainability, community well-being and economic development.

Here, you’ll learn by doing — gaining perspective, applying your knowledge and seeing how your education can make a meaningful impact.

Learning with Purpose

At Cal State Monterey Bay, education is rooted in service and impact. The Interdisciplinary Studies program reflects this commitment by preparing you to use your knowledge to support communities and address real-world challenges.

Through service learning and community-based projects, you’ll apply what you study in meaningful ways — working with local organizations, engaging with diverse communities and gaining experience that connects learning to action.

By bringing together ideas from multiple fields, you’ll be better equipped to understand complex issues and contribute to solutions that promote equity, sustainability and community well-being.

Here, your education isn’t just about what you learn — it’s about how you use it to make a difference.

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Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Our experienced and supportive admissions staff is here to provide all the individualized guidance you need.

Study Interdisciplinary Studies in an inspiring coastal environment where we are truly committed to mentorship and an engaging student experience.

Find out more about the Interdisciplinary Studies program and other degrees offered in the College of Education.