Interdisciplinary Studies at Edgewood College: A 4-Year Guide

What if you could design a bachelor's degree that refuses to fit into a single box? That is the promise of the Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's degree, usually 4 years In-person at Edgewood College. Instead of picking one major and staying in a single lane, you combine courses from two or more fields into a coherent plan of study that you help shape. For students who feel torn between interests, or who see a career path that no traditional major covers, this program offers a structured way to build a degree around a question, a problem, or a professional niche. The four-year, in-person format at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, adds another layer: you learn on campus, face to face with faculty and peers, while still crossing departmental borders. This guide breaks down what the program is, how it works, who it suits, what it costs, and how to decide whether it is the right investment for your future.

What the Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's Degree Actually Is

At its core, an interdisciplinary studies degree is a deliberate blending of academic disciplines rather than a random assortment of courses. The "Other" designation in the title signals that the program is customizable: it does not lock you into a pre-packaged combination like biology plus chemistry or history plus political science. Instead, you work with an advisor to propose a concentration or theme, justify why those fields belong together, and complete a capstone or senior project that ties the threads into a single body of work. At Edgewood College, that process happens in person, which means regular meetings with faculty, access to campus resources, and the kind of spontaneous collaboration that online programs can struggle to replicate.

This structure is different from a double major. A double major means completing all the requirements of two separate majors, which can add semesters and cost. An interdisciplinary studies program typically pulls selected courses from multiple departments and unifies them under one degree plan, so you can graduate in the standard four years if you plan carefully. The degree is awarded as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science depending on the coursework, and the transcript shows a single major with a clearly defined interdisciplinary focus.

Edgewood College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Madison, and its interdisciplinary program inherits that liberal arts ethos: small classes, discussion-based learning, and an emphasis on writing and critical thinking. The "Other" label is not a weakness; it is an invitation. You are not choosing a pre-built track. You are choosing to build one, with faculty guidance and institutional approval, which means the degree reflects your specific goals rather than a generic template.

How the Four-Year, In-Person Format Works at Edgewood College

The typical timeline is four years of full-time study, though the exact sequence depends on your chosen concentration. In the first year, you complete general education requirements and introductory courses in the fields you are considering. By sophomore year, you declare your intent to pursue interdisciplinary studies and begin drafting a plan of study with your advisor. That plan identifies the two or more disciplines you will combine, the specific courses you will take from each, and the rationale for the combination. It is submitted for approval, which ensures the degree has academic rigor rather than being a loose collection of electives.

In the junior and senior years, you complete the upper-level courses in your plan, often including a research methods course and a capstone seminar. The capstone is where the interdisciplinary work comes together: a thesis, a project, or an internship that requires you to apply insights from multiple fields to a single problem. Because the program is in person, you can use labs, studios, archives, and faculty office hours in ways that distance learners cannot. You also build a cohort of peers who are doing similar self-designed work, which creates a support network for the more independent parts of the degree.

Here is a simplified look at how the four years might unfold:

1. Year 1: Complete general education courses and explore introductory classes in two or three potential disciplines.
2. Year 2: Declare the interdisciplinary studies major, draft and submit your plan of study, and begin the core courses in your chosen fields.
3. Year 3: Finish upper-level requirements, add a research methods or theory course, and start planning your capstone.
4. Year 4: Complete the capstone project or internship, finish any remaining requirements, and prepare for graduation or graduate school.

That sequence is a guide, not a mandate. Some students arrive with transfer credits or advanced placement, which can free up room for a second internship or a minor. Others spread the degree over more than four years if they change direction. The key is that the in-person format gives you regular access to the people who approve your plan and teach your courses, so adjustments happen in conversation rather than through a portal.

Who Thrives in an Interdisciplinary Studies Program

The students who get the most from this degree tend to share a few traits. They are curious across boundaries, comfortable with ambiguity, and willing to advocate for their own education. If you have ever said, "I want to study psychology and business because I want to understand how people make financial decisions," or "I want to combine environmental science with public policy," this program gives you a legitimate academic home. It also suits students whose interests do not map cleanly onto one department, such as someone aiming for a career in health communication, user experience research, or nonprofit management.

It is equally important to know who should look elsewhere. If you want a highly technical credential, such as engineering or nursing, a dedicated major is the better path because those fields have licensure and accreditation requirements that an interdisciplinary plan cannot satisfy. If you prefer a strictly prescribed curriculum with little advising overhead, a traditional major is simpler. And if you need the lowest possible tuition, a private college's in-person program may not be the cheapest option, though financial aid can close much of the gap. The interdisciplinary degree rewards students who are self-directed and who value faculty mentorship, not those who want a checklist.

Career-wise, graduates pursue roles in project management, community outreach, education, human resources, public health, and creative industries, often in organizations that value people who can translate between specialists. The degree also works as preparation for graduate school in fields like public policy, social work, or business, where admissions committees appreciate a well-argued interdisciplinary background. The common thread is that the student can explain why the combination makes sense, which is a skill the program forces you to develop.

Cost, Financial Aid, and the Real Value of a Private College Degree

Edgewood College is a private institution, so the published tuition is higher than in-state public university rates. For the Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's degree, usually 4 years In-person at Edgewood College, the sticker price includes tuition, fees, housing, and meals, but most students do not pay the full amount. Private colleges typically discount tuition heavily through merit scholarships, need-based grants, and institutional aid. The net price, which is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships, is the number that matters. You can estimate it using the college's net price calculator and by comparing financial aid award letters from multiple schools.

Financial aid comes in several forms, and understanding them is essential before you commit. Here are the main categories you will encounter:

• Grants and scholarships: Money that does not need to be repaid, often based on merit, need, or both.
• Work-study: Part-time campus employment that helps cover costs and builds experience.
• Federal student loans: Borrowed money with fixed rates and repayment options, including income-driven plans.
• Private loans: Bank or credit union loans that may have variable rates and should be a last resort.

Beyond the numbers, the value of a private, in-person liberal arts education lies in small classes, faculty mentorship, and the ability to design a degree that fits a specific career target. That customization can reduce the risk of switching majors late, which is a hidden cost at larger institutions. It can also make you more competitive for niche roles because your transcript tells a coherent story. To compare costs across schools, use our guide to college e-degree programs for a framework on evaluating online and campus options side by side.

When you are ready to explore specific programs and request information, an educational matching service like CollegeDegree.Education can connect you with accredited colleges and universities that fit your goals. It is a useful starting point for building a shortlist, especially if you are comparing Edgewood College against other private and public options in the Midwest.

How to Apply and Make the Most of Your Four Years

Applying to Edgewood College follows the standard undergraduate process: submit the application, high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. Because the interdisciplinary program is customizable, your essay can advantageously explain the combination of fields you want to pursue and why. You do not need to have the entire plan figured out before you arrive, but showing that you have thought about how two disciplines connect signals maturity and fit. Once admitted, you will be assigned an academic advisor who helps you transition into the major and begin drafting your plan of study.

During your four years, treat the plan of study as a living document. Meet with your advisor every semester, keep a list of courses that satisfy multiple requirements, and build relationships with faculty in both of your chosen disciplines. Those relationships lead to internships, research assistantships, and letters of recommendation. Also use the campus career center early, not just in senior year, to test how your interdisciplinary background translates into job titles and industries. The more concrete your career narrative becomes, the easier it is to explain your degree to employers who may not have heard of interdisciplinary studies.

Finally, consider the financial timeline alongside the academic one. Four years of in-person study means four years of tuition, fees, and living costs, so plan your aid applications, scholarship renewals, and work-study hours accordingly. If you take a heavier course load or summer classes, you may be able to graduate early or add a minor without extending your time. If you need to lighten a semester, know the impact on your aid and graduation date before you make the change.

The Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's degree, usually 4 years In-person at Edgewood College is not for everyone, but for the right student it is a rare opportunity to build a degree around a genuine intellectual question. It rewards curiosity, planning, and engagement with faculty, and it produces graduates who can connect ideas across fields. If that sounds like you, start by comparing costs, talking with advisors, and visiting campus. The degree is flexible, but the decision deserves the same rigor you will bring to your plan of study.