Overview
Advance your career through an interdisciplinary online master’s program that integrates theories, methods and practices from the arts, humanities and social sciences.
With Athabasca University’s Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies, Community Studies, you will learn to think holistically, critically and reflectively about issues facing communities as well as the potential practices and strategies for creating productive community outcomes.
A degree with a focus on Community Studies explores issues of social, economic and ecological justice and social change, particularly as they relate to community-based organizing, community building, educational development, and social movements. It will be of interest to students working or volunteering with community groups in the public, non-profit, and private sectors, as well as those interested in social enterprises and community economic development. Students taking community studies courses work in health, education, social services, non-profit organizations, and other public and private sector organizations that regularly interact with community groups. Your program will finish with a final integrated project, eportfolio, or capstone course.
You can choose to complete this project in a paced 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, Community Studies?
Communities today face complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. Employers across sectors (public, private and non-profit) need people who understand these challenges and can help build community capacity, networks, and meaningful solutions. The Community Studies focus area helps you build the skills to do that work.
You will learn how to:
- think across disciplines to identify and understand complex issues, values and practices shaping communities
- examine how social, economic, political, and ecological conditions affect communities
- build professional capacity, leadership competencies and community networks
- understand the needs, strengths, and goals of diverse groups seeking to build community
The Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies, Community Studies supports these competencies and prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in civic engagement projects, social change efforts, and community building organizations.
Application deadlines and start dates
| Application deadline | Start date |
| Jan. 15 | spring |
| May 15 | fall |
| Sep. 15 | winter |
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 3 intakes each year. Please see our FAQ.
Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies courses are offered in online paced study and individualized study formats. Paced study courses have defined start and end dates. Individualized study courses begin on the first day of every month, year-round.
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 Sep. 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2027. 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, for example, workshops, some 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 | $201 |
| Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable) | $265 |
| Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once and waived if previously an AU student | $126 |
Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)
fees for students in Canada and out | Students living in Canada | $2,0521 |
| Indigenous students living in Canada | $1,8721,2 |
| Students living outside Canada | $2,3021 |
1Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies (MA-IS) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $173 and a Course Materials fee of $38 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $14 per credit.
2Starting Sep. 1, 2026, Canadian Indigenous graduate students are eligible for 10% off the tuition portion of AU graduate course costs.
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 (2026-2027):
The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $22,572 ($2,052 x 11, three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fee are included in the above calculations. Application and admission fees are not included.
Other fees
other fees | Transfer credit evaluation fee | $355 per course |
| Continuation fee | $142 |
| Course extension fee | $341 |
| Letter of Permission fee | $102 |
| Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students) | $250 per course |
| AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit) | $14 |
| Course withdrawal processing fee3 | $462 |
3The 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) less the course withdrawal processing fee.
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2027.
Focus areas
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.
Students are admitted to the Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies program. Following admission, students must submit a study plan to the Graduate Office via email to declare their focus area(s).
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.
Learn more about the Adult Education focus area 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.
Learn more about the Community Studies focus area 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.
Learn more about the Cultural Studies focus area 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.
Learn more about the Educational Studies focus area Environmental Studies
In this focus area, you’ll explore the cultural, political, and ecological dimensions of environmental change. You’ll analyze how social, economic, and political systems drive today’s environmental challenges and the diverse responses to them, from policy shifts to grassroots activism. You’ll build skills for understanding the connections between human and more-than-human worlds, the impacts of disruption on Indigenous lifeways, and the vital role of Indigenous communities in ecological protection.
Learn more about the Environmental Studies focus area 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.
Learn more about the Equity Studies focus area 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.
Learn more about the Global Change focus area 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.
Learn more about the Heritage and Social History focus area 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.
Learn more about the Literary Studies focus area 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.
Learn more about the Work, Organization, and Leadership focus area 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.
Learn more about the Writing and New Media focus area 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.
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.
Program regulations
Focus area courses
Courses to explore
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
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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):
- community development officer
- community engagement coordinator
- nonprofit program manager
- social justice advocate
- community economic development specialist
- social enterprise coordinator
- community education coordinator
- policy or research officer (community focus)
- program evaluator
- community outreach manager
- local government community advisor
- grassroots organizing coordinator
- social impact or community consultant