If you need an associate's degree to advance in your current career or pursue new career opportunities, the Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies may be the right program for you. This versatile program allows you to design and plan your degree to help meet your employment or higher-education goals.

 Program Highlights 

The Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies curriculum offers a broad liberal arts education to help prepare you for a variety of career paths. Highlights of the program include:

  • A career development course in which you will explore possible career paths and develop job application and interview skills
  • Core requirements in communications, history, mathematics, social and applied sciences, software applications, and writing
  • A capstone project demonstrating the knowledge and skills you acquired during your course of study

 Emphasis Areas for the Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies 

Kaplan University's Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies program allows you to tailor your education to your unique talents and interests by completing the academic requirements for an area of emphasis.
    Choose courses from various disciplines and study to earn the credentials required for career advancement. This versatile program is designed to help you acquire knowledge, communication and critical thinking skills, and technical competencies required in every career field in today's competitive global workplace.
    Study to gain the basic knowledge and skills required to be an effective communicator. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines theory and real-world application, this program is designed to help you develop strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills while you gain a more critical understanding of social issues, new media, and effective writing and speaking skills.
    Qualified teacher aides are needed to work at the preschool, elementary, and high school levels and in specialized areas such as bilingual, ESL, and special education. This emphasis area is designed to help prepare you for the rigorous qualifications required for these positions. After completion of the program, you may be qualified to pursue teaching certification..*†
    Study to acquire the basic knowledge and skills required to work exclusively with infants, toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten-aged children. Focus on infant and toddler development, nutrition, health, and caring for children with special needs. Coursework emphasizes childhood education, creative activities, and curriculum planning. Study to obtain the knowledge and background you need to earn the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which is highly regarded in the child care field..*†

 Curriculum for the Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies 

    Courses Credits
    Communication Course 5
    Mathematics Course 5
    Communication Course 5
    Courses Credits
    Academic Strategies 5
    Ethics 5
    Principles of Nutrition 5
    Psychology 5
    Major Electives 15
    Associate’s Capstone in Interdisciplinary Studies 5
    Courses Credits
    Open Electives 35
    Courses Credits
    Educational Development of School-Age Students 5
    Introduction to Classroom Management 5
    Math Methods 5
    Reading and Writing Methods 5
    Survey of Special Needs 5
    Assisting English Language Learners 5
    Courses Credits
    Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Curriculum Planning 5
    Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood Development 5
    Professionalism and Ethical Conduct in Child Care 5
    Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health 5
    Creative Activities for Young Children 5
    Young Children With Special Needs 5
    Courses Credits
    Communicating in the Twenty-First Century 5
    Mass Communications 5
    Interpersonal Communications 5
    Public Speaking 5
    Technical Communication 5
    Open Elective 5
    Courses Credits
    Major Electives 15
    Open Electives 15
    Total Program Requirements 90

 What Are the Career Opportunities?  

With an associate's degree, you may pursue employment in a variety of careers in the public and private sectors. Each emphasis area offers you the opportunity to develop marketable skills in fields such as accounting, banking, child care, criminal justice, education, financial services, human resources, information technology, law, management, marketing, politics, publishing, purchasing, or teaching.

 Your Credits Count 

If you earn your Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in communication, you will be at least halfway toward earning your Bachelor of Science in Communication. If you have already earned credits at another college or university, those credits may help you earn your degree faster. Speak to a Kaplan University Admissions Advisor or refer to our University Catalog for details about our transfer of credit policy.

Studying at Kaplan University offers a convenient, flexible opportunity to attain the education you need for the life you want to live. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$353.00
Total program requirements90
Total cost of tuition$31,770.00

This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Effective July 1, 2009, a minimum deposit of $70 is required at the time of enrollment and will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. The advanced start option assumes you have completed an associate's degree and requires a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours, including 90 from your requisite associate’s degree.* Additional courses and tuition costs and fees may be required to meet the prerequisites for the advanced start program. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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* The Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degrees with educational paraprofessional or early childhood development emphases are not represented as meeting specific state Board of Education criteria for assisting with children and teachers in a public school setting. Students are encouraged to check with their local school district on specific college education requirements needed in these fields.

†  Although our programs are designed to prepare you to receive various credentials, the University cannot guarantee you will be awarded those credentials. In some cases, field experience may be necessary to be eligible for the credentials.