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School of Professional Advancement
Online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Transfer up to 75 credits and finish your degree in as little as one year.
Finish What You Started
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies is designed for adult learners, working professionals, military-affiliated students, and transfer students who have previously earned college credits but have not yet completed a degree. Courses are available in expedited eight-week terms, which provides a shorter route to completion.
Affordable
At just $600 per credit hour, we offer competitive tuition rates and financial aid options.
Frictionless
Experience our streamlined application, clear requirements, and advisor support from first click to graduation.
Customizable
Integrate courses from humanities, social sciences, technology, business, and more to create an intellectually rich and professionally relevant pathway.
Accelerated
Transfer up to 75 credits. With our eight-week terms, you can complete your degree in one or two years.
How an 8-Week Term Works
A course taken during an eight-week term covers the same material and earns the same credit as a traditional 16-week course. Classes are offered in an asynchronous format, offering you greater flexibility to accommodate your schedule. This accelerated format lets you focus on shorter classes while staying on track to complete your degree.
Not sure if an 8-Week term is right for you? For more information, visit our 8-Week Terms page.
Application Deadlines
Visit our Admissions page for more information on the admissions process. For a complete list of important dates, see our Academic Calendars page. Our Register for Classes page has information on registering for classes.
Fall
16-week Fall Term: August 1
8-Week Fall Term I: August 1
8-Week Fall Term II: October 1
Spring
16-Week Spring Term: January 1
8-Week Spring Term I: January 1
8-Week Spring Term II: March 1
Summer
16-Week Summer Term: May 1
8-Week Summer Term: May 1
Education Summer Term I: May 1
Education Summer Term II: June 1
Choose a Major or Concentration Aligned to In-Demand Fields
The bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement requires a total of 120 credit hours. The curriculum blends a liberal arts foundation with a major in Paralegal Studies or two student-selected disciplinary concentrations and an interdisciplinary core, culminating in a capstone seminar that synthesizes knowledge from across the student’s academic experience.
Program Snapshot
Earn your Paralegal Studies degree and an industry recognized Paralegal Certificate through a focused, 11 course (33 credit) curriculum built for real world legal work.
- Understand how state and federal civil, criminal, and administrative courts function.
- Conduct legal research and investigations using print and digital tools; translate findings into clear briefs and memos.
- Apply The Bluebook standards accurately and consistently.
- Create professional memoranda, correspondence, and standard litigation filings for state and federal courts.
- Manage documents, billing, case files, dockets, and trial prep using industry standard software.
- Interpret and follow the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, plus NALA and NFPA ethical guidelines.
Required Courses
| Paralegal Studies Major** | Credits |
|---|---|
| PARA 2010 Intro to the Legal System | 3 |
| PARA 3020 Legal Research I | 3 |
| PARA 3030 Legal Writing I* | 3 |
| PARA 3050 Litigation I | 3 |
| PARA 3060 Litigation II* | 3 |
| PARA 3070 Legal Technology I | 3 |
| PARA 4190 Legal Ethics | 3 |
| PARA 4100 Legal Technology II or PARA 4200 Legal Research & Writing II | 3 |
| PARA 5900 Paralegal Practicum or PAIS 4000 Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (Capstone Seminar)*** | 3 |
| PAIS 2000 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| PAIS 3000 Interdisciplinary Methods and Practices | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
*Preceding course is a prerequisite.
**Assumes completion of all BIS requirements.
***BIS core courses must be completed in residence.
Option 2: Select Two Concentrations
Students may select two disciplinary concentrations (12 credits each).
Program Snapshot
The Strategic Communication concentration builds essential skills in research, planning, content creation, and digital strategy, preparing students to communicate effectively and solve organizational communication challenges in today’s media-driven workplace.
- Apply research, planning, implementation, and evaluation to real‑world communication needs.
- Develop messages tailored to audiences across digital platforms.
- Blend public relations, digital marketing, and basic graphic design principles to create strategic, effective content.
- Gain industry‑aligned communication competencies valued by today’s employers.
Required Courses
| Principles of Management Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| DDSN 1000 Digital Design Foundations for Non-Majors/Minors | 3 |
| MDES 1120 Media Writing | 3 |
| MDES 2200 Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| MDES 2300: Digital Marketing Principles | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Principles of Management concentration builds a strong foundation in organizational leadership, workplace behavior, ethics, and practical management skills that prepare students to guide teams and drive effective organizational performance.
- Apply laws, ethics, and social responsibility standards to real‑world business decisions.
- Analyze individual, team, and organizational dynamics to improve performance.
- Gain working knowledge of accounting, finance, marketing, and HR.
- Write and speak clearly, persuasively, and professionally.
- Compare structures and cultures—and how they influence behavior and outcomes.
- Learn how managers set goals, motivate teams, and lead organizations through change.
Required Courses
| Principles of Management Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| BSLS 2310 Principles of Management | 3 |
| BSLS 3340 Managing Organizational Behavior or BSLS 3330 Intro to Human Resources | 3 |
| BSLS 3380 Business Ethics | 3 |
| BSLS 3800 Leadership: Navigating for Success | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Principles of Finance concentration builds a strong foundation in economics, accounting, financial analysis, and ethical decision‑making, preparing students to interpret financial data and support sound organizational growth.
- Apply laws, ethics, and social responsibility standards to business and financial decisions.
- Develop foundational knowledge in accounting, finance, marketing, and quantitative analysis.
- Write and speak clearly, persuasively, and professionally.
- Analyze how structure and culture shape employee behavior and organizational performance.
Required Courses
| Principles of Finance Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| BSLS 1000 Economics for Non-Majors | 3 |
| BSLS 1110 Accounting I | 3 |
| BSLS 2220 Intro to Finance | 3 |
| BSLS 3250 Business Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Health Promotion concentration builds a strong foundation in wellness, disease prevention, human physiology, and health communication, preparing students to design evidence‑based strategies that support healthier individuals and communities.
- Use effective communication techniques to encourage positive health behaviors.
- Understand how the body responds to lifestyle choices to better support health promotion.
- Assess how media and messaging shape health beliefs and decision‑making.
- Create client‑centered wellness plans grounded in research and best practices.
Required Courses
| Health Promotion Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| KINE 2220: Mind/Body Health | 3 |
| KINE 3200: The Human Body | 3 |
| KINE 4050: Mass Media & Health | 3 |
| KINE 4600: Wellness Coaching | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Lifestyle Strategies in Health concentration explores how movement, nutrition, stress management, and wellness technologies shape long‑term well‑being—preparing students to design sustainable, evidence‑based lifestyle interventions.
- Analyze scientific studies to support sound, evidence‑based lifestyle recommendations.
- Examine how stress, nutrition, and physical activity influence overall health.
- Apply scientific principles to support long‑term wellness for individuals and communities.
- Assess how technology and modern wellness practices impact health behaviors.
Required Courses
| Lifestyle Strategies in Health Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| KINE 1800 Wellness in Contemporary America | 3 |
| KINE 2230 Stress Management | 3 |
| KINE 2330 Nutrition & Behavior | 3 |
| KINE 4350 Exercise in the Digital Age | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Applied Digital Marketing concentration builds essential skills in planning, executing, and measuring digital marketing campaigns—preparing students with the workforce‑ready competencies employers need in today’s data‑driven marketing landscape.
- Use research, planning, execution, and evaluation frameworks to address common marketing challenges across digital channels.
- Develop channel‑appropriate content and use basic analytics to measure performance and improve campaign effectiveness.
Required Courses
| Applied Digital Marketing Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| MDES 2300 Digital Marketing Principles | 3 |
| MDES 3300 Creating Digital Content | 3 |
| MDES 3310 Digital Media Analytics & Reporting | 3 |
| MDES 3450 Digital Marketing Campaigns | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Information Technology concentration gives students hands‑on experience with systems, software, databases, and enterprise infrastructure, preparing them to design, support, and evaluate the technology solutions that power modern organizations.
- Apply essential concepts in information systems, networking, security, infrastructure, deployment models, development methodologies, and user experience to support effective organizational technology.
- Analyze, design, and build software using the software development lifecycle, algorithms, data structures, modular design, testing practices, ethical considerations, and team‑based workflows.
- Create and maintain database solutions using relational and warehouse models, queries, cloud services, data preparation, analysis, visualization, governance, and quality controls.
- Implement secure, highly available Windows Server environments using advanced storage protocols, Hyper‑V virtualization, and proactive maintenance strategies to meet complex organizational needs.
Required Courses
| Information Technology Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPST 1200 Fundamentals of IS & IT | 3 |
| CPST 2200 Application Development Fundamentals | 3 |
| CPST 2300 Database Fundamental | 3 |
| CPST 4610 Windows Server Administration | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Program Snapshot
The Cybersecurity concentration builds foundational skills in networking, infrastructure, and information security, preparing students to protect systems and data by identifying risks, strengthening defenses, and responding effectively to cyber threats across modern organizations.
- Analyze how networks, cloud services, and data management components work together to provide ethical, collaborative technical support.
- Design and manage secure, scalable enterprise networks using routing, wireless configurations, connectivity standards, and best‑practice security frameworks.
- Develop and maintain a resilient security posture through system hardening, network security evaluation, and coordinated incident‑response practices.
- Plan and implement offensive security strategies to assess system vulnerabilities and design ethical, data‑driven mitigation approaches.
Required Courses
| Cybersecurity Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPST 2500 IT Infrastructure Fundamentals | 3 |
| CPST 2600 Networking Fundamentals | 3 |
| CPST 2700 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CPST 4310 Certified Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
“The School of Professional Advancement made higher education accessible while working full-time.”
What Will You Learn While Earning Your Online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies?
- Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods from multiple disciplines.
- Evaluate interdisciplinary strategies for inquiry and analysis.
- Design and propose an interdisciplinary research or applied project.
- Conduct stakeholder and ethical impact analysis related to proposed topics.
- Develop strategies for collaboration, project management, and effective communication.
What Can You Do With an Online Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies?
An interdisciplinary studies degree is ideal for those who want to customize their education to align with unique interests and goals, blending multiple fields such as business, social sciences, technology, and the arts. Graduates often pursue careers in education, project management, marketing, public relations, human resources, and nonprofit leadership, or use the degree as a foundation for advanced studies.
Take a look at a few careers you can pursue with this degree:*
Operations Manager
Median Annual Salary: $101,280
Project Management Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $98,580
Logistics Manager
Median Annual Salary: $78,128
Customer Success Manager
Median Annual Salary: $63,844
*National salary data according to Payscale and the Bureau of Labor statistics; salaries vary by location.
Funding Your Degree
Tulane SoPA is more affordable than traditional private university tuition. With limited fees and a 20% tuition discount (if qualified), cost is on par with many state schools.
All tuition is charged by the credit hour and we have minimal fees. Visit our tuition page to see our current tuition rates and use our net price calculator.
We strive to make higher education affordable by offering 20% discounts, financial aid, and credit for work and life experience. Learn about financial aid, discounts and scholarship opportunities to fund your degree today.
Tulane SoPA participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students enrolling in our master's degree programs. Visit our military benefits page for detailed information.
Admission Requirements
Apply anytime—no test scores or letters of recommendation are required.
Complete the online application, upload your official government-issued photo ID, and pay the $40 application fee.
- Upload an official government-issued photo ID
- The fee for applicants is $40 for undergraduate programs
Transcripts. You may be admitted with unofficial copies of your transcripts. Please note that uploaded copies of your transcripts will not be considered "official." SoPA requires official transcripts prior to registering for classes.
Electronic transcripts are preferred. Have official electronic transcripts sent to soparecords@tulane.edu directly by the institution.
Paper copies of official transcripts may be mailed to:
Academic Records
Richardson Bldg. #5
Suite 204
6823 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118- Undergraduate applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and be in good standing from any prior higher education institution attended.
International students (or students who have earned their degree outside the U.S. or Canada) must submit a course-by-course evaluation of international coursework. Evaluations can take a month to complete from the time the agency receives your international transcript(s), so we recommend getting an early start on this process to ensure the evaluation is received by the deadline for which you're applying.
International students may also be required to submit proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL). Please refer to the international student section in the FAQ to determine whether you're required to submit scores. The Tulane Office of International Students & Scholars can provide additional assistance.
The next start date is approaching!
Contact us to learn more about the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Interested in putting your skills to work for your future? Start your application today to earn your degree from a world-renowned university.