Overview
Participate in an interdisciplinary online master’s program that integrates theories, methods and practices from the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
The Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies program allows you to relate your research to issues in your life, workplace, and community. Your program will finish with a final integrated project or capstone paper that will exercise and explore your newly acquired skills and
knowledge.
You can choose to complete this project in a grouped-study capstone course, or through an individual-study project that will allow you to:
- explore a question or issue that’s important to you
- relate your research to a work or life situation
- address a community problem
Why take the Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies?
In an age of rapid change, employers and professional associations want workers with wide-ranging educations who are capable of:
- multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches
- critical thought
- teamwork
- social awareness
AU's Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies develops these skills and prepares grads to envision and pursue innovative solutions to a variety of problems.
The Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies is a 33-credit online master’s program. You must complete 18 credits through Athabasca University.
You may register in Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies courses anytime as a non-program student, and if you want to apply to the program, there are 2 intakes each year. The application deadline for program students is March 1st if you want to start in Sept., and Sept. 1st if you want to start in January. Please see our FAQ.
Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies courses are offered in online grouped study and individualized study formats. Grouped-study courses have defined start and end dates. Individualized-study courses begin on the first day of every month, year-round.
Application deadlines and start dates
| Application deadline | Start date |
| Jan. 15 | spring |
| May 15 | fall |
| Sep. 15 | winter |
Routes and options
The Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies program has several academic focus areas to choose from, as well as an independent track that allows you to develop your own program of study.
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 2 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace to complete your requirements within 6 years.
The expected normal completion time is 3–4 years.
Tuition and fees
A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.
The following fees are effective for courses starting Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, such as workshops, publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.
program application and admission fee | Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies: | $184 |
| Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable) | $255 |
| Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once and waived if previously an AU student: | $116 |
fees for students in Canada and out | Students living in Canada | $1,9691 |
| Students living outside Canada | $2,2141 |
1Master of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies (MA-IS) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $166 and a Course Materials fee of $35 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $13 per credit.
Note: MA-IS students are now able to take Heritage Resources Management courses. Course tuition fees for HRM courses can be found on the HRM fees page.
Estimated program tuition cost (2023-2024):
The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University would be $21,659 ($1,969 x 11, three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fees, and Course Materials fees are included in the above calculations. Application and admission fees are not included.
Other fees
other fees | Transfer credit evaluation fee | $325 per course |
| Continuation fee | $136 |
| Course extension fee | $312 |
| Letter of Permission fee | $93 |
| Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students) | $250 per course |
| AU Graduate Student Association fee (per credit): | $13 |
| Course withdrawal processing fee1 | $423 |
| Supplemental exam fee | $116 |
1 The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) minus the course withdrawal processing fee.
Fee information effective Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024.
Courses
In this program, you'll dive into a rich mix of required core courses, electives, and project-based learning that cater to your intellectual curiosity. While core courses lay the foundation in interdisciplinary research and theory, you'll have the flexibility to choose electives that align with your interests or even carve out your own independent track.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Master of Arts, plus those specific to your focus area.
Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Program regulations
Focus area courses
Top courses
Here are some of the most popular courses students take in this program.
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Focus areas
Adult Education
Immerse yourself in the enriching world of adult education, where learning serves not just a career but a community. In this focus area, you'll delve into the full spectrum of adult education, exploring its role in empowering individuals and fostering participatory democracy. Get ready to critically examine and understand the diverse practices and transformative potential of adult education.
Adult Education courses Canada, the North, and the Globe
Step into a multifaceted exploration of Canada, the North, and their roles in the global landscape with this focus area. You'll dive deep into the complexities that make the North unique, from its Indigenous and First Nations histories to its ever-changing ecological challenges. Beyond mere patriotic narratives, this enlightening journey equips you to understand Canada's evolving identity and the North's intricate dynamics, making you more attuned to the relevant issues facing our world today.
Canada, the North, and the Globe courses Community Studies
The Community Studies focus area is tailored for those passionate about social justice and transformative change at the community level. Whether you're involved with community groups, non-profits, or public sector agencies, this area equips you to make meaningful impacts through community economic development and activism. Perfect for adult and distance educators too, you'll gain valuable insights into how education can fuel social transformation both locally and globally.
Community Studies courses Cultural Studies
Embark on an enriching journey through the lens of Cultural Studies, a focus area that bridges the arts and the intricacies of human society. Here, you'll delve into everything from high art to popular culture, ancient texts to modern hypertexts, all while exploring vital themes like identity, power, and social dynamics. Whether you're curious about how culture shapes our self-perceptions or interested in the complexities of gender, ethnicity, and class, this focus area offers you a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the world we live in.
Cultural Studies courses Educational Studies
Step into the realm of Educational Studies, a focus area designed to deepen your understanding of the educational landscape from a multifaceted perspective. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or someone passionate about public policy, you'll gain invaluable insights into how education is shaped by a myriad of social and institutional factors. Plus, the program's flexibility lets you tailor your course selection to zero in on specific interests, such as social justice themes or leadership in higher education settings.
Educational Studies courses Equity Studies
In the Equity Studies focus area, you'll engage with transformative learning that emerges from various forms of social and political mobilization. This focus area equips you with the tools to challenge traditional paradigms, understand power dynamics, and analyze forms of inequity and oppression. Tailored to foster a deep understanding of complex structures like racism, colonialism, and heteropatriarchy, the program encourages you to apply this knowledge to real-world contexts that matter to you, ultimately steering your focus towards fostering a more just and equitable future.
Equity Studies courses Global Change
Enter into a journey with the Global Change focus area to dissect the complexities of our interconnected world. You'll scrutinize the forces behind economic, political, and social shifts, with an eye towards understanding the inequities these global changes often perpetuate. Whether you're keen on exploring ecological impacts or delving into the role of emerging technologies, this program offers the critical tools you'll need to engage meaningfully with global studies and make a difference in areas like social movements and development.
Global Change courses Heritage and Social History
Analyze the rich tapestry of the past with our Heritage and Social History focus area. Here, you'll meld social history and heritage studies to explore the intricacies of social traditions, institutions, and historical patterns. While there's a nod to Canadian history and heritage, the interdisciplinary approach ensures you'll gain a comprehensive understanding that spans beyond borders.
Heritage and Social History courses Literary Studies
Our Literary Studies focus area explores texts from the English-speaking world and beyond. This focus area equips you with the tools for advanced research and hones your skills in close and contextual reading. Beyond exploring literature, you'll perfect advanced writing forms and cultivate communication and critical thinking skills that are highly transferable and sought-after in various fields.
Literary Studies courses Work, Organization, and Leadership
Study the evolving landscape of work, organization, and leadership with this focus area. Designed to offer a comprehensive view that considers both paid and unpaid work, stable and precarious conditions, this course integrates perfectly with your on-the-job experience. Whether you're from the public, private, or NGO sectors, this focus area sets you up for success, especially if you're keen on using a "participant-observer" approach for your final project.
Work, Organization, and Leadership courses Writing and New Media
Unleash your passion for the written word with our Writing and New Media focus area. Whether you're interested in professional, creative, or transformational writing, you'll explore everything from new genres to the impact of digital technology on how we create and communicate. This is the perfect avenue for you to expand your self-awareness and engage in critical self-reflection, all while navigating the complexities of our increasingly digital world.
Writing and New Media courses Independent Track
Ready to chart your own academic path? The Independent Track is designed for highly motivated students like you, offering the freedom to tailor your courses to meet your unique learning goals. Just remember, you'll need the green light from the program director, complete with a well-thought-out study plan, to embark on this exciting, self-directed journey.
Career options
After completing this program, you'll be well-equipped to enter a variety of careers that value interdisciplinary thinking and research skills, from roles in academia and public policy to positions in non-profits or corporate sectors. Whether you're interested in becoming an educator, researcher, consultant, or manager, the flexible skill set you'll gain will open doors to opportunities in multiple fields.
Some sample careers may include (but are not limited to):
- educator
- researcher
- public policy analyst
- non-profit manager
- corporate strategist
- consultant
- project manager
- community organizer
- communications specialist
- content developer
- social media manager
- program coordinator
- grant writer