100%
Online Coursework^
$390
Tuition Cost per Credit
1.5 years
Average Completion*
Your Career Isn’t One-Dimensional.
Your Master’s Degree Doesn’t Have to Be.
You have a specific career goal. You know the skills you need to learn to get there. But no traditional master’s degree quite fits.
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Athens State University gives you the freedom to build a graduate degree around your goals—not someone else’s predetermined curriculum.
With the exception of three required courses, you choose graduate coursework from across Athens State’s academic programs to create a personalized plan of study. Combine disciplines, develop specialized expertise, strengthen your professional skills, and build the exact academic experience you need to move your career forward.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed for professionals whose career goals don’t fit neatly into a single academic discipline. Maybe you’re moving into a leadership role and need stronger communication and organizational skills. Perhaps you’re transitioning to a new industry and want to combine technical knowledge with business expertise. Or maybe your career requires a unique combination of research, technology, education, communication, and subject-matter expertise.
Instead of choosing a traditional master’s degree and taking courses that may not apply directly to your goals, you design a graduate program around the knowledge and skills you actually need. You’ll work with an academic advisor to develop an individualized course of study drawing from graduate-level offerings across Athens State. Your program culminates in a research-based thesis that allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a topic aligned with your professional or academic interests.
Build the Degree You Need
Start With Your Goal
What do you want to accomplish with your graduate degree? Your career goal becomes the starting point for designing your program. You’ll identify the knowledge, skills, and expertise that can help you reach that goal.
Connect Multiple Disciplines
Interdisciplinary Studies allows you to look beyond the boundaries of a single academic field. Depending on your goals, your coursework can incorporate graduate studies from multiple areas of the University. You might combine subjects such as:
- Business and leadership
- Communication
- Education and training
- Technology
- Computer science
- Cybersecurity
- Arts and humanities
- Social sciences
- Research and analytics
- Other graduate-level areas available through Athens State
Your course selection is driven by what you want to accomplish, not by a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Turn Knowledge Into Application
The program emphasizes practical, career-focused learning. You’ll develop knowledge you can use immediately in the workplace while strengthening your ability to think across disciplines, solve complex problems, and approach challenges from multiple perspectives.
Complete a Capstone Thesis
Your graduate experience culminates in a substantial research project. Through your thesis, you’ll investigate a topic connected to your interests and demonstrate your ability to conduct research, analyze information, and communicate your findings.
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
The MA in Interdisciplinary Studies is built for professionals who want to expand their capabilities without being confined to a single discipline. Because you choose the coursework, you can build a degree that complements your existing experience and prepares you for your next opportunity.
Explore your career pathways with the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$72k
General Manager Estimated Entry Salary
$141k
General Manager Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
Athens State University is proud to offer the lowest tuition of any public, four-year university in Alabama, making it possible to earn an advanced degree while keeping your education affordable. Combined with flexible online learning, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities, our Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies delivers exceptional value and a strong return on your investment.
Why Choose this Program at Athens State?
Life doesn’t stop while you’re earning your degree. That’s why the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is offered through a variety of flexible course formats, allowing you to complete coursework when it fits your schedule without sacrificing academic quality.
Built for Today’s Professionals
You shouldn’t have to choose between advancing your education and advancing your career. Athens State’s degree programs are designed with working professionals in mind. Flexible learning options allow you to pursue your master’s degree while continuing to meet your professional and personal commitments.
Invest in Your Future The Smart Way
Athens State University is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education. As Alabama’s most affordable public, state university, we give you the opportunity to earn an advanced degree while making a smart investment in your future, without unnecessary debt. Plus, our learning partnerships make a degree from Athens Sate even more accessible.
Learn from Experienced Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with real-world experience, bringing current industry practices into every course. At Athens State, you’re not facing the journey alone—our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way, providing personalized guidance and support.
Our Faculty
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^This program can be completed fully online by choosing certain courses.
*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.