Not every student fits neatly into a single major — and at GCU, that's not a problem. The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is built for students who want to pursue a rich, customized liberal arts education that crosses disciplinary boundaries. Choose your focus area, build depth across related fields, and graduate with a degree that's genuinely yours — and a professional skill set that's hard to replicate.
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The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies isn't a catch-all degree — it's a structured framework for purposeful exploration. You'll choose a primary focus area (American Studies, Business, Criminal Justice, English, History, Integrative Health, Religious Studies, or Spanish), take 18 credits of coursework in that area at the 200-level or above, and add 6 credits of complementary coursework across related disciplines. Every step happens under close faculty advising — so your degree has both depth and direction.
Students who choose the Integrative Health focus area and complete four specific IH courses (IH210, IH305, IH325, IH337) will have completed a National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Approved Training Program — making them eligible to sit for the National Board Certification Examination. Those who pass earn the National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential, a nationally recognized professional certification embedded directly into the degree. This is one of the most distinctive and practical outcomes of any undergraduate program at GCU.
Unlike traditional liberal arts programs that leave career preparation to the end, the IDS program embeds career planning and professional development throughout your undergraduate experience. Your academic advisor actively counsels you on graduate school options and career paths — and the program's capstone, IDS401 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies, gives you space to synthesize your learning into a final project that demonstrates real professional and intellectual maturity.
The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is one of GCU's most transfer-friendly degree programs. Transfer students for whom the block transfer policy applies may have general education requirements waived, making it significantly easier to complete the degree efficiently. The program's flexibility also makes it an excellent choice for returning adult students, career changers, and students who have accumulated credits across multiple institutions and want a degree that honors that breadth of experience.
The world’s most complex problems — in health, society, justice, culture, and technology — don’t fit inside the boundaries of a single academic discipline. Neither do the most interesting thinkers, leaders, and problem-solvers. GCU’s B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is built around that reality.
The IDS program exposes students to the rich and challenging world of liberal arts and professional studies through exploration of multiple, interconnected disciplines. Rather than siloing knowledge, the program encourages students to synthesize perspectives from across fields — deepening their understanding of human experience while developing the critical thinking, communication, and research skills that every professional environment demands.
The program is built around a primary focus area — a 18-credit concentration in one of eight disciplines: American Studies, Business (including accounting, economics, and information systems), Criminal Justice, English, History, Integrative Health, Religious Studies, or Spanish. Education students pursuing teacher certification select from American Studies, English, History, or Spanish as their focus area. Six additional upper-level credits in related disciplines round out the major, chosen under close faculty advisement.
What makes IDS genuinely distinctive at GCU is the Integrative Health pathway. Students who complete four specific IH courses complete an NBHWC-approved training program, making them eligible to earn the nationally recognized National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential — a real, marketable professional certification that sets GCU’s IDS program apart from any comparable program in New Jersey.
A dedicated academic advisor works with every IDS student throughout their degree — recommending course sequences, connecting coursework to career goals, and preparing students for graduate study or professional entry. The capstone seminar (IDS401) synthesizes four years of interdisciplinary learning into a final project that demonstrates both intellectual depth and practical application.
This program is particularly well-suited to transfer students, returning adults, and students with clear professional goals that span multiple disciplines.
GCU’s B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is a great fit if you:
Because IDS graduates choose their own focus area, the career paths available to them are as diverse as the students who earn the degree. Here’s a representative sample.
Career Paths by Focus Area Integrative Health Focus → Health & Wellness Coaching
Business Focus
Criminal Justice Focus
English / History / American Studies Focus
Religious Studies / Spanish Focus
Because IDS graduates pursue diverse career paths, salary outcomes vary significantly by focus area and post-graduate choices. Below is a representative snapshot of common career paths.
| Career Path | NJ Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) | $50,000–$72,000 |
| Community Health Worker | $48,600 |
| Health Education Specialist | $63,400 |
| Social Services / Case Manager | $52,300 |
| High School Teacher (English/History) | $76,200 |
| Business Analyst | $88,700 |
| Writer / Editor | $62,400–$73,400 |
Job Outlook
Health and wellness coaching is one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare — driven by rising corporate wellness program investment, chronic disease prevention, and the shift toward preventive health. Health Education Specialists are projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033. Community Health Workers are projected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033 — much faster than average.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Students who complete IH210 Integrative Self-Care Planning, IH305 Found Health & Wellness Coaching, IH325 Integrative Nutrition, and IH337 Integrative Lifestyle Modifications will have completed a National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Approved Training Program and can sit for the National Board Certification Examination. Those who pass the exam earn the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential.
*The following courses are accepted for IDS American studies focus area. These may vary from those associated for the American studies minor:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AN244 | City, Suburb, & Society | 3.0 |
| AN312 | Native Cultures of North America | 3.0 |
| CJ200 | Theories of Crime | 3.0 |
| CJ210 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3.0 |
| CJ/PO313 | Constitutional Law | 3.0 |
| EN310 | American Drama | 3.0 |
| EN321 | American Renaissance | 3.0 |
| EN322 | American Realism | 3.0 |
| EN323 | Modern American Literature | 3.0 |
| EN324 | Contemporary American Literature | 3.0 |
| EN327 | Make It New: Modern American Poetry | 3.0 |
| EN370 | AsianAmericanLit | 3.0 |
| EN375 | USMultiEthnicLit | 3.0 |
| EN376 | NativeAmLit&Crit | 3.0 |
| EN380 | African Diaspora | 3.0 |
| HST304 | American Revolution & Aftermath | 3.0 |
| HST308 | Civil War & Reconstruction | 3.0 |
| HST312 | U.S. Politics & Society, 1890-1945 | 3.0 |
| HST316 | America Since 1945 | 3.0 |
| HST320 | Rebels & Radicals in U.S. History | 3.0 |
| HST330 | America & the World Since 1898 | 3.0 |
| HST331 | Vietnam & America | 3.0 |
| IDS250 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3.0 |
| IH345 | Native American Medicine | 3.0 |
| MU214 | Music of the Americas | 3.0 |
| PO211 | American National Government | 3.0 |
| PO221 | State & Local Government in America | 3.0 |
| SP425 | Lat Am Lit I | 3.0 |
| SP426 | Lat Am Lit II | 3.0 |
Admissions Requirements First-Year Students
Transfer Students
Important Program Note: Students must complete one full academic year within the IDS program before enrolling in IDS401 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies (the capstone). Plan your sequence accordingly with your advisor.
By the time you earn your B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from GCU, you’ll be able to:
Q: Is the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies a “lesser” degree than a traditional major? A: Absolutely not. The IDS degree is a rigorous, structured liberal arts degree with a defined focus area, clear learning outcomes, and a culminating capstone seminar. What makes it different is its flexibility — not its rigor. Many employers and graduate programs actively value candidates with broad interdisciplinary training because they bring the ability to connect ideas, communicate across specialties, and approach problems from multiple angles. The degree is fully accredited and recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Q: What is the NBC-HWC credential, and how do I earn it through this degree? A: The National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) is a professional credential awarded by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) — the nationally recognized credentialing body for the health coaching profession. Students who choose the Integrative Health focus area and complete four specific courses (IH210, IH305, IH325, IH337) will have completed an NBHWC-approved training program, making them eligible to sit for the national board certification exam. This credential can be earned while completing your undergraduate degree — making it one of the most tangible and immediately marketable outcomes of any undergraduate program at GCU.
Q: What is the difference between the IDS major and simply declaring a double major? A: A double major requires you to complete the full requirements of two separate programs — which can significantly increase your total credits and time to degree. The IDS major is a single, coherent program with its own intentional structure. It allows you to explore two or more disciplines in an integrated, purposeful way without the redundancy or credit load of two full separate majors. Your academic advisor helps you design a focused, efficient path that meets the program’s requirements while serving your goals.
Q: Can I transfer into this program with credits from another college? A: Yes — and the IDS program is one of GCU’s most transfer-friendly offerings. Transfer students for whom GCU’s block transfer policy applies may have general education requirements waived, and the flexible structure of the major means many of your existing credits may count toward your focus area or complementary coursework. At least 15 of your 30 major credits must be completed at GCU. Contact an admissions counselor or academic advisor early in the process to get a transfer credit evaluation.
Q: Do I need to know my focus area before I apply? A: No. You’ll work with your assigned IDS academic advisor to explore your options and declare your focus area — typically in your first semester or early in your first year. The advisor-guided nature of the program means you’re not on your own in making these decisions.
Q: What if I want to change my focus area mid-program? A: Changes are possible — talk with Program Director Dr. Hausmann and your advisor. Depending on how far along you are in your coursework, a change in focus area may or may not significantly affect your time to graduation.
The earlier you make a change, the more flexibility you’ll have.
Q: What is the capstone course, and when do I take it? A: IDS401 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies is the capstone of your degree — a course in which you synthesize your interdisciplinary learning into a research project that demonstrates intellectual depth and professional relevance. You must complete one full academic year in the IDS program before you can enroll. Typically this means the capstone is taken in your junior or senior year. Your advisor will help you plan the right timing.
Q: Is this degree a good pathway to graduate school? A: Yes — particularly for graduate programs in fields that value broad analytical and communicative skills. IDS graduates have pursued graduate work in education, social work, public health, law, theology, and business administration, among others. Your advisor will help you identify graduate programs that align with your focus area and career goals, and the capstone project gives you a strong writing sample for graduate applications.
Q: What GPA do I need to graduate? A: A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 GPA in the IDS major are required for graduation.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU uses rolling admissions — you can apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Applying early gives you the best access to merit scholarships, housing, and financial aid.
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