Interdisciplinary studies

How to apply

 
 

Come to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and earn your graduate degree! Combine two or more disciplines to investigate an interdisciplinary topic of your choice.

The application process for Interdisciplinary Studies consists of four distinct steps:

  1. Confirm your eligibility
  2. Identify a faculty member
  3. Develop a study plan
  4. Submit an application

💡 Application Support on Canvas!

We use Canvas to guide you through your application step-by-step. The course features instructional videos, templates, AI tutors, recommended timelines, and draft feedback opportunities.

👉 To visit the course, please click

1. Confirm Eligibility

Interdisciplinary Master's Degree ( and )

To be eligible, applicants must have:

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • International Applicants: TOEFL = 80 (Internet-based), 213 (electronic), or 550 (paper) is required if you are not a U.S. citizen and require an F-1 visa. The IELTS may be substituted in some cases (Minimum score: 6.5).
  • The Interdisciplinary master's degree can be completed with a thesis or project, but cannot be completed by coursework alone.

Interdisciplinary Degree

To be eligible, applicants must have:

  • A master's degree from an accredited institution.
  • International Applicants: TOEFL = 80 (Internet-based), 213 (electronic), or 550 (paper) is required if you are not a U.S. citizen and require an F-1 visa. The IELTS may be substituted in some cases (Minimum score: 6.5).

2. Identify Faculty Member(s) and Programs

Graduate degrees are a partnership between a student and a faculty member who will serve as your graduate advisor and chair your graduate advisory committee. You must identify an advisor who is able to work with you over the course of your degree.

  • Don't know a faculty member yet? Start by identifying the disciplines you wish to combine. Review our to locate the departments and research groups where our faculty work.
  • Reaching out: Once you identify a program and a faculty member, please contact them directly to introduce yourself and your research interests.
  • Collaboration: If they agree to serve as your advisor, you and the faculty member will work together closely on the application.

Advisor Requirements by Degree Level:

  • Master’s Applicants: Identify one faculty member who will serve as your advisor and chair your graduate advisory committee.
  • PhD Applicants: Identify two faculty members from two separate programs, disciplines, or departments. One must be willing to serve as your advisor/committee chair, and the other must be willing to serve as a committee member.

3. Develop a Plan

Review the classes offered in your areas of interest and work with your faculty member(s) to develop a graduate study plan. Courses should provide the foundational knowledge and skills you need, reflecting both disciplines. No more than half (50%) of the coursework credits should come from any single discipline.

👉 View an example Graduate Study Plan here.

  • Minimum of 30 credits from two or more disciplines.
  • At least 21 credits must be at the 600-level (including a max of 12 credits of F699 thesis or a max of 6 credits of F698 project).
  • Coursework must include no more than half of the credits from any one discipline.
  • Minimum of 36 credits.
  • At least 18 credits must be F699 thesis credits and at least 9 credits must be regular coursework.
  • The remaining 9 credits can be thesis, coursework, or a mix of both.
  • Coursework must include no more than half of the credits from any one discipline.

4. Submit an Application

Submit all application materials via the .

📅 Deadlines: April 1st for the following fall semester | November 1st for the following spring semester.

Students applying to an Interdisciplinary Master's program must submit standard graduate materials alongside program-specific requirements. Please upload all items directly to the .

General Graduate Materials (6 items)

  • Online Application: Submit via the Admissions Portal by April 1st (Fall entry) or November 1st (Spring entry).

  • Two Letters of Reference: Must address your academic qualifications and be dated within one year of your application.

  • Official Transcripts: Required from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.

  • Resume or CV: Up-to-date overview of your professional and academic history.

  • Statement of Academic Goals: A 2–4 page essay (500 - 1000 words, double-spaced, 1-inch margins) addressing:

    • Your background, motivations, and research interests.

    • Why your project requires an interdisciplinary approach instead of an existing program.

    • The specific disciplines and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ faculty members you intend to combine.

    • Any institutional support or resources you will need to succeed.


Program Specific Materials (3 items)

  • Proposed Graduate Study Plan (GSP): A course plan reflecting at least two distinct disciplines. It must be signed by your proposed committee chair, one other committee member, and the department head and dean of your chair's department.

  • Research Prospectus: A separate essay of no more than 4 pages (1,000 words, double-spaced, 1-inch margins) that details:

    • Working Title: A tentative title for your thesis or project.

    • Interdisciplinary Approach: An explanation of the disciplines your research draws upon.

    • Rationale & Significance: Your core research questions, why this work matters, its contribution to the field, and who it impacts.

    • Literature Cited: Relevant references to previous academic work.

  • Chair Endorsement Letter: One formal letter of endorsement from your proposed graduate committee chair.


 

General Graduate Materials (6 items)

  • Online Application: Submit via the by April 1st (Fall entry) or November 1st (Spring entry).

  • Two Letters of Reference: Must address your academic qualifications and be dated within one year of your application.

  • Official Transcripts: Required from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.

  • Resume or CV: Up-to-date overview of your professional and academic history.

  • Statement of Academic Goals: A 2–4 page essay (500–1,000 words, double-spaced, 1-inch margins) addressing:

    • Your background, motivations, and research interests.

    • Why your project requires an interdisciplinary approach instead of an existing program.

    • The specific disciplines and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ faculty members you intend to combine.

    • Any institutional support or resources you will need to succeed.

Program Specific Materials (4 items)

  • Proposed Graduate Study Plan (GSP): A course plan reflecting at least two distinct disciplines. It must be signed by your proposed committee chair.

  • Research Prospectus: A separate essay of no more than 4 pages (1,000 words, double-spaced, 1-inch margins). While not required, applicants are highly encouraged to use the template found here. It must include:

    • Working Title: A tentative title for your dissertation.

    • Interdisciplinary Approach: An explanation of the disciplines your research draws upon.

    • Rationale & Significance: Your core research questions, why this work matters, its contribution to the field, and who it impacts.

    • Methods: A summary of how you intend to answer your research questions.

    • Literature Cited: Relevant references to previous academic work.

  • Chair Endorsement Letter: One formal letter of endorsement from your proposed graduate committee chair.

  • Committee Member Endorsement Letter: One formal letter of endorsement from a committee member representing a different discipline than your chair.

 

 
Any questions?

To request additional information about this program and the application, please reach out to Emeline Jones directly at ehjones@alaska.edu.