Why Choose Interdisciplinary Studies at Bethel University?
The most interesting problems rarely fit inside a single subject, and Interdisciplinary Studies is built for students who see that. This major lets you combine two or more academic disciplines into one coherent degree, giving you the freedom to build an education around your interests and goals rather than a single department. It is a flexible, intentional path for students who want breadth and depth at the same time.
What makes it work is real structure. You draw substantial coursework from multiple fields, weighted toward upper-level study, so the degree carries genuine academic depth rather than a scattering of introductions. Offered as either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science, it can lean toward language and the humanities or toward science and quantitative reasoning, preparing you for graduate study and for careers that reward the ability to connect ideas across boundaries.
What You'll Learn
Because you combine disciplines, much of what you learn is shaped by the fields you choose. Every Interdisciplinary Studies major, however, develops:
- The ability to integrate knowledge and methods across two or more distinct disciplines
- A strong liberal arts foundation in writing, history, science, mathematics, and religion or philosophy
- Depth in your chosen fields through substantial upper-level coursework
- Critical thinking and the ability to connect ideas across subject boundaries
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- For the Bachelor of Arts, foreign language proficiency; for the Bachelor of Science, added quantitative and computing skills
Courses You'll Take
Interdisciplinary Studies is built around depth in the fields you choose rather than a single fixed course sequence. The 48-hour major is structured as follows:
Foundational coursework (15 hours)
Advanced coursework (33 hours)
Together, these ensure the degree combines multiple fields with real academic depth. You build the specific course plan with your advisor, choosing disciplines that fit your goals, while completing the liberal arts core and a program core that differs slightly between the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science tracks.
Career Possibilities
Because Interdisciplinary Studies is built around the fields you combine, it can lead in many directions. Graduates are well prepared for:
Graduate or Professional Study
A broad, upper-level foundation for advanced study across a range of fields.
Roles Spanning Multiple Fields
Positions that sit at the intersection of two disciplines, where combined expertise is an asset.
Business and Administration
Roles that value versatile thinkers who can connect ideas and communicate across teams.
Nonprofit and Community Work
Work that draws on a well-rounded education and the ability to see problems from multiple angles.
Research and Analysis
Positions that reward the ability to gather, integrate, and interpret information across sources.
Communications and Writing
Roles built on the strong writing and critical thinking the degree develops.
The strength of Interdisciplinary Studies is its versatility, so graduates pursue paths shaped by the disciplines they bring together.
Related Degrees and Programs
If you’re interested in this degree or program, here are others you might find intriguing.
