The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is an online degree completion program designed to help you turn your previous credits earned at community colleges, accredited universities, technical schools and professional experience into a completed bachelor’s degree.
Within the program, you’ll have the flexibility to customize your degree path by choosing concentrations that match your interests or pursuing an emphasis area that aligns with your intended career.
Through combining coursework with optional certificates, you can shape a degree that not only reflects your passions but also prepares you for advancement in today’s evolving workforce.
This intentional, customizable approach ensures that your education is both practical and meaningful, helping you move forward with confidence toward your professional aspirations.
Your program options: The three core emphasis areas explained
The following interdisciplinary professional studies emphasis areas are only available to students enrolled in fully online classes.*
Community and social impact emphasis
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies, Community and Social Impact Emphasis is designed for students who want to make a difference in their communities.
You’ll learn how to build critical thinking skills, become more adaptable in changing environments and develop a strong awareness of community needs.
Graduates of this program may pursue management positions in nonprofit organizations, corporate responsibility or sustainability roles and government research and innovation.
As a part of your degree plan, you’ll customize this emphasis with three certificates. Certificates for this emphasis include:
- Certificate in Applied Leadership: Growing into a High-Impact Leader
- Certificate in Business Creation
- Certificate in +Business
- Certificate in Communication Management
- Certificate in Community Impact
- Certificate in Conflict Management
- Certificate in Media Content Management
- Certificate in Foundations of Public Health
- Certificate in User Experience Research: UX Professional (UXPRO)
- Certificate in Applied Teamwork
Cyber operations management emphasis
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies, Cyber Operations Management Emphasis helps students develop the management, communication and soft skills needed to succeed in the growing field of cybersecurity.
Graduates of this program may pursue job opportunities in systems analysis, computer and information management and administration or security assurance. With a projected job outlook of 29% through 2034, cyber operations specialists are in high demand.
As a part of your degree plan, you’ll have two required certificates and the choice of an additional certificate.
Required certificates for cyber operations management
- Certificate in Cyber Operations
- Certificate in Communications Management
Optional certificates for cyber operations management
- Certificate in Applied Leadership: Growing into a High-Impact Leader
- Certificate in +Business
- Certificate in Conflict Management
Design and media management emphasis
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies, Design and Media Management Emphasis helps students access their creativity to produce and manage content across different platforms as well as understand how audiences use and interact with media.
Graduates of this program may pursue careers in content marketing, user experience design, social media management and corporate communications.
As a part of your degree plan, you’ll have two required certificates and the choice of an additional certificate.
Required certificates for design and media management
- Certificate in User Experience Research: UX Professional (UXPRO)
- Certificate in Media Content Management
Optional certificates for design and media management
- Certificate in Applied Leadership: Growing into a High-Impact Leader
- Certificate in +Business
- Certificate in Business Creation
- Certificate in Conflict Management
Success stories and outcomes for interdisciplinary professional studies students
Recent graduate Rob Libby completed two degrees and four certificates during his time with the interdisciplinary professional studies program.
“My focus area was innovation and design. I am also very interested in health and wellness, design thinking, AI and political science. There are all sorts of things you can build into the degree. It really opened my eyes,” Libby said.
Amy McIntyre sought opportunities to turn her passion for community outreach into a career. “The interdisciplinary professional studies program felt like I was designing my own degree based on my prior certifications and experience and loving what I do,” she said.
“I was able to mold it to exactly what I want to do. It’s never too late to achieve your goals.”
Having the emphasis options also allows for the continuation of your educational journey. After earning a certificate in cyber operations with his online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies, Jamison Chochrek entered the online Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience. He has since used his education and experience to guide organizations toward implementing more secure practices.
Aligning your emphasis areas with your career goals
Using the available emphasis options and aligning them with your career goals is one of the most valuable aspects of the interdisciplinary professional studies program. Because the program offers flexibility, it allows you to be intentional and shape your degree around emphasis areas that reflect your interests and ambitions. You can also turn prior credits and experience into a clear, focused pathway that builds on your strengths.
With the ability to add complementary certificates and adjust your learning format to fit your life, you can tailor your education to meet both immediate needs and long-term aspirations. This intentional alignment helps you graduate with the relevant, marketable skills that employers value.
Still unsure which emphasis area matches your goals? Use our concentration and emphasis area program picker to quickly identify which concentration or emphasis area best meets your needs for your degree.
Learn more about the interdisciplinary professional studies program
Earning an online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.
*Note: The current list of emphases and certificates is as of the fall 2026 catalog; program emphases and certificates are subject to change. Visit the interdisciplinary professional studies program page for the latest information on available classes and scheduling.