MA in Interdisciplinary Studies | Liberty University Online Only 31 credit hours with 15 transferable. You could complete this thing in 1 full semester.
Technically you couldn't complete it in 1 semester since Liberty's full-time graduate course load is 12 credits.
It is always good to see a new offering, especially one with such a generous transfer policy. However, I found the degree options quite limiting. For example, nothing from Business or Management was allowed, except for sports management. I much prefer Amberton's Interdisciplinary grad degree. I believe it's called Professional Development. It is much for flexible.
I took five courses this last semester. I'm in their Grad program but perhaps its different for each school? A semester is 16 weeks broken down into two eight week sessions, so you have three one session and two the next. It was in fact brutal with three in eight weeks lol.
I have a question about these types of Interdisciplinary programs. I can easily imagine designing a program that would be quite interesting but one of the things that we often discuss is the goal or the utility of specific degree programs. In that regard, how does one typically "use" an Interdisciplinary Masters degree?
I would think to gain a raise at work? Allow you to not waste credits in a program you could not finish? Or a stepping stone into a doctoral program. I guess if you had to drop out of a program after a few semesters you could salvage those credits.
Many job postings require a specific type of degree, but also allow for some type of equivalency. You might see an ad that says, "MBA or other business degree required." If your interdisiplinary degree is heavily weighted toward business and management, it probably checks the box. I might even list the primary discipline on my resume as I do with my associates degree. For example: MA Professional Development (Business). Some job postings might even prefer a degree of this kind. For example, one of my clients is a non-profit that works closely with segments of the population that require supportive services such as job training, counseling, etc. When hiring, they might actually like someone with an interdisciplinary degree that emphasizes business, but also has an element of counseling, psychology, HR development, etc. The religous nonprofits may like an interdisplinary degree that touches on business and religion, or management and ministry. I agree that these degrees won't work for everyone, but there is definitely a market and a need for the niche.
One interesting find on the FAQ PDF (Bold is my emphasis): How many credit hours can I transfer into the program? A total of 15 graduate credit hours can be transferred in the program and must be evaluated by the Office of Transfer Evaluations. These credit hours can come from graduate coursework or a conferred graduate degree from an accredited institution. http://www.liberty.edu/media/1238/mainds/MA%20INDS%20FAQs%20[111716].pdf
The one thing I noticed about this program is the course prefixes look good; i.e. communications courses are listed as COMS and English courses are listed as ENGL. This is not the case with every interdisciplinary program. That may not seem like a big deal, but it is extremely important if one desires to teach with said degree one day down the road. This program would pass muster for accrediting agencies and those looking to get their 18 hours to teach in a particular subject (or two for that matter).
Texas Christian University used to have a testimonial for their Master of Liberal Arts (my favorite Interdisciplinary/Liberal Arts program) degree from an Air Force officer. He needed A graduate degree for promotion points, and decided to do the MLA at TCU because the unlimited program design & course selections appealed to him.
Yes, it is practically impossible to make Field Grade status (Major/Lieutenant Commander) without a Masters degree.
Once upon a time, yes. Now that education is masked on their promotion boards (at least Air Force), not so much. I can think of at least one Lt Col-Select in my little squadron who doesn't have a graduate degree.
I've seen some really good suggestions here for a few Master's degree programs that are both low in their overall required credits and liberal with the requirements of said credits. Is anyone else familiar with any more 30ish-credit Inter/Multidisciplinary or Liberal Arts Master degree programs?
Western New Mexico University - M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies University of Memphis - M.A. in Liberal Studies Thomas Edison State University - M.A. in Liberal Studies University of South Dakota - M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies Texas Christian University - Master of Liberal Arts Arizona State University - Master of Liberal Studies Kent State University - Master of Liberal Studies If money is no object; Johns Hopkins University - Master of Liberal Arts
Great post. It seems that 30 is the lowest amount of credit hours one can expect from an interdisciplinary-type degree, with varying maximum amounts of transfer credit permitted. I've found some 27-credit ones online but they are generally for engineering.