Professionals networking at conference

Interdisciplinary Studies

Customize your degree to meet your personal and professional goals.

Design a Unique Graduate Degree

USD offers a Master of Arts program that is designed to allow flexibility in program design and course selection for students who have a specific interest in graduate coursework but do not fit a defined discipline. Offered online or on campus, this advanced degree is designed by you in tandem with your advisor.  By choosing coursework from differing academic disciplines, you create a coherent theme to meet your individual educational and professional goals. Students seeking admission to the program must explain in a statement of purpose how their program of study will specifically meet their personal and professional goals.

Achieve competency in multiple disciplines to meet the challenges of an ever-changing global economy with a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies at USD.


Degrees & Offerings

Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A.)

Master's
  Vermillion Main Campus and Online

A master's in interdisciplinary studies requires at least 32 credit hours, with courses taken from a minimum of two academic disciplines and chosen under the guidance and approval of an advisor. Design a course of study that tackles a problem from multiple directions or tailor a degree to best serve your career advancement goals.

View Admissions Requirements

Program Details

Graduate

College

Contact

Graduate Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.
A student in classroom on her laptop.

Take Your Classes Online

We're committed to bringing our knowledge to you. USD serves the largest number of online students in the state of South Dakota. With competitive online tuition rates, we offer the same price whether you’re out-of-state or an in-state resident.


USD maintains a challenging and rigorous curriculum focused on preparing you to move forward in your career.


Take classes at your own pace. Enroll in an online class today! 

 

View all online programs
Students talking while studying.

Create Your Own Program

This flexible program is ideal for adult learners and offered both on a full-time or part-time basis. It is tailored to meet your educational goals by allowing you to choose coursework from two to three different academic disciplines. 

For more information about this unique program, contact the Graduate School at grad@usd.edu.


Surprisingly Affordable

Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree, or you want to kick your career up a notch, graduate school is the next logical step. The good news is there is funding for both online and on-campus students to get you through your program. 

Graduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Graduate Assistantships

USD offers opportunities for grad students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for their teaching, research and service efforts to the university.

 


student success story

Success story Rich Heinz smiling.
I completed the MAIS program entirely online; this was important to me, as it allowed me to balance my family life, work life and education. I took business, leadership, law and marketing courses that I immediately applied to my job. The program provided flexibility to choose courses that interested me and extended my previous MBA education.

Rich E. Hintz

M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies
Vice President, Daktronics
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Take the Next Step