Interdisciplinary Studies MA
Why this program?
Limited only by your imagination, the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program allows you to build precisely the degree you want, selecting courses and experiences that support your academic interests, professional pursuits, and lifelong learning goals. Through this program, you will learn how to synthesize knowledge by drawing from multiple fields of study, analyze critical reasoning and create effective arguments, and develop and apply skills through various modes of communication. With personalized and hands-on learning opportunities, you will emerge well-prepared for anything you put your mind to. Students in this program are encouraged to engage with Prescott College’s network of Global Centers & Partners to further their learning and research opportunities!
Program Highlights
Students in the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program are able to explore multiple areas of study through the program, enabling them to engage with a broad set of skills and knowledge that can be applied to professional pursuits, doctoral aspirations, and lifelong learning goals.
Highlights of the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program include:
- Optional in-person residencies to connect with fellow graduate students and faculty
- Largely self-designed program with only three required classes
- Opportunities to engage with Prescott College’s Global Centers & Partners
- 30 credits total to earn degree
- Generous transfer policy for prior graduate credit
- Streamlined pathway into Prescott College’s PhD in Sustainability Education
What will this program look like?
Students in the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program are truly able to build their degree. With only three required classes and a total of 30 credits required to complete the program, students are able to spend 21 credits exploring their areas of interest through graduate classes at Prescott College, self-directed studies working independently or with a mentor, and/or engaging with Prescott College’s Global Centers & Partners. Some of these global opportunities include:
- Earn a certificate in Ecological Design Thinking with Siendo Naturaleza, while immersed in the Peruvian Amazon jungle.
- Spend a semester at the Kino Bay Center, studying natural history, cultural geography, and the intersections of society and environment.
- Conduct a research and/or studio-based residency at the Burren College of Art, exploring the relationship between art and ecology.
Key Program Information
Delivery Method
Online
Number of Credits
30
Cost Per Credit
$799
Application Deadlines
Fall
Priority – June 1
Regular – August 1
Spring
Priority – November 1
Regular – December 1
Admissions & Apply
- The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program at Prescott College allows students to explore topics of personal interest and passion in multidisciplinary ways that grow knowledge, skills, abilities, values, and ways of being.
- Students are able to build their degree by taking courses from other Prescott College graduate programs, creating their own self-directed studies (through independent or mentored study), and by engaging with Prescott College’s Global Centers & Partners.
- Only three required courses including the Capstone, and only 30 total credits required for degree completion
- Students are able to pursue a specific Concentration to hone in their area of study. Students can choose to do a fully Self-Designed Concentration, proposed by the student, or select a Concentration from specific program offerings. Concentrations may be based on other Prescott College master’s programs (such as Food Justice), broad in nature (such as Holistic Health), or highly specific (such as Archetypes & Cultural Memes).
- The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission has approved Prescott College to offer all of its degree titles via distance education.
Careers & Opportunities
Career, Doctoral, & Lifelong Learning Pathways
Career Opportunities
Students in the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program are equipped with the analytic and creative skillset for intersecting careers. Many students use this program to further their existing knowledge and skill base to grow within their profession, while others use the program to explore and prepare for a new field entirely. All students are encouraged to connect with Career Services to map out a plan that works for their individual goals!
Doctoral Pursuits
The MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program prepares graduates well for doctoral studies through its highly self-designed program layout that mirrors the research and dissertation work required in PhD programs. Students from the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies have a streamlined pathway into Prescott College’s PhD program in Sustainability Education. Graduates from the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program are able to transfer aligned and relevant Master’s credits into the PhD program, up to half of the PhD’s required credits. The PhD in Sustainability Education provides an opportunity for advanced, interdisciplinary, applied, and student-centered learning that addresses important global and local issues.
Lifelong Learning
Students pursuing the MA: Interdisciplinary Studies program tend to be naturally in tune with the concept of “lifelong learning,” and are excited by the self-designed layout of the degree as it enables true academic exploration! Students in this program may be returning to academia after many years of learning in the world, or coming fresh out of their undergraduate degree. Beyond curricular offerings, students can enhance their lifelong learning experience through the pursuit of non-credit bearing microcredentials through Prescott College, engaging with a wide range of topics.
Career Planning
Our Career Services team works with you to map out a plan that works for your goals and your life. There are many ways to get where you’re going, and we’ve seen it all!
Are you interested in being part of our community?
One thing we all have in common is our passion – passion for helping others, passion for the environment, passion for social justice and a passion for a different kind of learning experience.