Growth of the Interdisciplinary Degree Program

Interdisciplinary studies seeks to combine two of more fields of study in order to enhance and broaden perspectives, knowledge, and skills. Many colleges and universities have begun offering entire degree programs in interdisciplinary studies... thus, allowing students to define their own "tailor-made" course of study.

In a previous post, I have listed doctoral programs related to the study of leadership... with only a handful of Ph.D. programs that are interdisciplinary. However, there are quite a few interdisciplinary studies programs in the U.S., and anyone interested in studying leadership (and/or philanthropy or social change) may want to consider an interdisciplinary course of study.

Taking this route may be a wise choice for a number or reasons. For one, in the field of leadership, academics generally concentrate on multiple disciplines (psychology, sociology, economics, education, etc.), therefore, an interdisciplinary program would allow the student to take courses from a wide variety of programs, and concentrate on a particular area of leadership that may be of interest.

For instance, if you have a very defined academic interest, and you are interested in, say, women's leadership in sports, then a more interdisciplinary program may suit you more than a pre-established degree program. In an interdisciplinary setting you could design a course of study where you could take courses in the gender studies department, in sociology, and in the sports management department.

Also, for people interested in studying philanthropy and social change at the doctoral level, there are not too many degrees that focus specially on philanthropy (or nonprofit management). So, an interdisciplinary degree program would allow you to design a program that does.

The following is a list of Ph.D. programs in Interdisciplinary Studies:

• Bowling Green State University: Interdisciplinary Studies, Ph.D.
• Marquette University: Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
• New Mexico State University: Interdisciplinary Doctorate
• Ohio University: Individual Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
• Texas Tech University: Interdisciplinary Studies, Ph.D.
• Tufts University: Interdisciplinary Doctorate
• Union Institute & University: Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies
• University of Alaska, Fairbanks: Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
• University of Maine: Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program
• University of Missouri, Kansas City: Interdisciplinary Studies, Ph.D.
• University of Montana: Individualized Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
• University of Oklahoma: Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program
• University of Texas, Austin: Ad hoc Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
• University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee: Mutlidisciplinary Committee-Directed Ph.D. Program
• University of Washington: Individual Ph.D. Program
• Washington State University: Individual Interdisciplinary Ph.D.

Growth of the Interdisciplinary Degree Program