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Combine Different Majors for a Degree that Best Suits You

You are working full-time but need additional skills to maintain job security. You want to advance, but don’t know if the cost is worth the investment. At Ashland University, we can give you the tools you need to advance, at a cost you can afford, and with a schedule that meets the needs of a working adult.

Ashland’s Multidisciplinary Studies program allows a student who is interested in more than one field of study to design an individual major by drawing on courses from two or three subject areas.

Ashland offers either a B.A. or B.S. degree in Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) and this individualized, multidisciplinary degree program allows students flexibility in designing degree programs that relate to their personal academic and career goals. Students will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements, take a cohesive set of courses from two different content areas (cognates), and complete a Multidisciplinary Capstone Experience (3 hours).

This degree program provides a path to achieve baccalaureate degrees for those students whose interests lie in multiple areas and/or whose accumulated semester credit hours may not otherwise combine to qualify them for one of AU’s existing baccalaureate degrees. “Cognate” is defined as a coherent program of study developed in conjunction with a faculty member from that area of study that consists of 24 credit hours minimum. Of those 24 credit hours, at least 9 hours must be 300/400 level courses. 

Students selecting the Multidisciplinary Studies Major is expected to achieve the following student learning outcomes: (1) identify the issues, problems, or goals addressed by each cognate area; (2) demonstrate familiarity with the terminology commonly used in each cognate area; (3) appraise key texts or significant works in each cognate area; (4) explain the mode of inquiry or creative process that characterizes each cognate area; (5) describe how the two cognate areas contrast with each other, or complement one another, in ways that create a greater understanding that either would provide alone; and (6) apply knowledge and skills from both cognate areas to address a relevant problem or issue. These programs of study are academically rigorous and require significant student initiative. 

A student will work with two full-time faculty mentors and their respective dean(s), chosen from each of the cognate areas, to design a Multidisciplinary Studies Major, which falls within the competence of university faculty. Conceptualizing the major is the responsibility of the student and, in some cases, may be facilitated by using a faculty designed template. The student prepares a proposal showing a progression of study in consultation with the Coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Studies program and two faculty mentors based in departments that are related to the proposed major.

Multidisciplinary studies degree programs allow students to devise individual programs with coursework from several areas of study. Graduates with a degree in Multidisciplinary Studies can go into many fields including counseling, journalism or advertising, depending on learners’ selected areas of study, work experience and level of educational attainment. English, psychology, political science and business are just some of the different majors that students can combine into a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary studies degree program. These programs allow self-directed students to mix and match subjects to create a customized course of study. Depending on how students tailor their curricula, a multidisciplinary studies degree program can prepare them for various careers.

Remember, requesting information is easy and only takes a couple seconds. Simply fill out the form and an Ashland University representative will get back to you shortly. Did you know that we are ranked in the top-tier of colleges and universities by US News & World Report?

Ashland University is ranked in the top-tier of colleges and universities by US News & World Report. Our motto, “Accent on the Individual,” emphasizes our commitment to ensuring success for our online and traditional students. Ashland University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents to grant associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

"I really enjoy how much time and effort the professors put into making sure the students succeed and do well. It really makes me look forward to what my future career might be."
Jennifer Moore
“The connections you make here at Ashland are truly invaluable. I feel confident in being able to find a job after graduation not only because my classes prepared me completely, but also because of the experience I gained from professionals in the field.”
Emily Sparks

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"I really enjoy how much time and effort the professors put into making sure the students succeed and do well. It really makes me look forward to what my future career might be."
Jennifer Moore
“The connections you make here at Ashland are truly invaluable. I feel confident in being able to find a job after graduation not only because my classes prepared me completely, but also because of the experience I gained from professionals in the field.”
Emily Sparks