Design your own education with courses from a variety of disciplines. Choose your focus and we'll help you build a program tailored to your academic and career goals.
Through this six-course diploma, you can study a combination of subject areas in humanitarian studies, communication, environment and sustainability, business, tourism or education.
Learn online, or through a mix of online and on-campus courses with faculty and students from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
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September 02, 2025
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January 19, 2026
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September 08, 2026
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January 18, 2027
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Take an active role in designing your education
The six-course, 18-credit Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies is the program for you, if you want to make connections between different areas of study.
Choose your courses from a combination of subject areas offered at Royal Roads: leadership, humanitarian studies, communication, environment and sustainability, business, tourism or education. While you study, you'll learn with faculty and students from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
The diploma consists of six courses:
- the three core courses of the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program
- three elective courses that you can choose from different graduate programs at Royal Roads University
With flexible delivery, you can complete all of your courses online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses.
You can build from here
Take this diploma as a standalone program or continue with your education. You can apply up to 12 credits from the diploma toward a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Program outcomes
The skills gained in this program are up to you. You can customize your learning outcomes through your course selection.
Program delivery
The 18-credit Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies includes six courses:
- the three core courses in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- three elective courses that you can choose from program areas that interest you
You can choose to complete this program in one of two ways:
- entirely online
- through a blend of online courses and on-campus residencies
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
Normally, you’ll take one course at a time. Each online course requires approximately 20 hours of work per week.
Residency
You have the option of completing this program through a blended program, which includes online courses and one course offered as part of a residency.
Residencies last for one or three weeks and are intensive and immersive. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.
During your residency, you can expect to:
- attend classes full time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
- take part in extracurricular activities
Residencies are offered for program areas such as business, communication and culture, environment and sustainability, humanitarian studies, leadership and tourism.
Courses
Non-credit Required Activities
MAISCON
MAIS Connect
0.0 Credits
Online
ITAI
Introduction to Academic Integrity
0.0 Credits
Online
Credit Required Activities
INDS505
Academic Writing and Critical Thinking Across Disciplines
3.0 Credits
Online
INDS500
Theory in Interdisciplinary Studies
3.0 Credits
Online
INDS510
Social Science Research Methods
3.0 Credits
Online
Electives Courses
Once the non-credit and for-credit required activities are complete, students select 3 courses (9 credits) from a pre-screened selection: see your blended course options as well as your fully online course options.
Faculty
Transfer agreements
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Standard admission
- Completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with a minimum GPA of 'B+' (3.33/4.33).
- Normally, a minimum of three years of professional experience.
Flexible admission
While an undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study is recommended, applicants may be assessed for admission on the basis of their skills, knowledge and background developed outside traditional learning structures. This flexible admissions approach opens doors to higher learning for qualified candidates who otherwise might not meet traditional admission requirements, and thereby serves the needs of a diverse group of students.
English language proficiency
If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
Additional recommendations
Ideal candidates are self-directed and highly motivated and possess strong interpersonal, research, and communication skills. Graduate Diploma students move between programs and need to be comfortable with completing an individualized program while integrating into student teams from different programs.
At a minimum, all applications must contain the following:
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
Your personal statement should be a maximum two-page letter, organized under the following headings:
- Educational and career goals (In this section, you should speak to the role the degree would play in your professional development, and why you are seeking entrance to the program at this time)
- Pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies (In this section, you should discuss why your career goals require courses from multiple academic program areas)
- Academic courses and/or training (In this section, you should provide information on courses and/or training you have taken that would provide a foundation for your graduate studies)
- Work and educational history (In this section, you should provide evidence of flexibility in responding to new situations, self-direction, and self-motivation)
- Motivation for seeking entrance to GDIS (In this section, you should discuss what you hope to learn, why RRU, your unique strengths, and any other information you believe relevant).
The Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies requires a high degree of flexibility and self-direction from students. Please provide examples from your work or educational history that provide evidence of flexibility in responding to new situations, self-direction, and self-motivation
Detailed résumé
A detailed résumé is one that provides a comprehensive profile of the applicant. It should include education, work experience (including voluntary/unpaid), reports and publications, professional memberships and affiliations, and other relevant information.
Letters of reference
Your application requires two letters of reference. These letters could be from either a current or past employer, or someone who has known you in an academic or volunteer setting. One of the reference letters could be a personal character reference; however, the emphasis will be placed on professional and academic reference letters.
- Professional reference: This letter should attest to your current or previous performance in your professional life. The letter can address areas such as communication skills, interpersonal and leadership skills, management potential, work ethic, etc.
- Academic reference: This letter should attest to the applicant’s performance in the context of their current or previous studies. The letter can address such areas as academic achievement, study skills, teamwork, leadership potential, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.
- Personal character reference: A personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known the applicant for several years such as a friend, coach, or mentor, etc. The writer must indicate the length of time and context in which they have known the applicant, and consider the following attributes in the letter: compassion; empathy; integrity; equal concern and respect for others; initiative; adaptability; maturity; responsibility; continuity and perseverance. References will not be accepted from members of your family.
Proposed program schedule
Applicants must work directly with the College of Interdisciplinary Studies to design a program schedule that includes courses to be taken as part of the program. The development time for an individualized program schedule can vary, however, applicants can expect it will take approximately one month. An application is not considered complete and will not be assessed until it contains a program schedule endorsed by the applicant and the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Applicants will need to submit their endorsed program schedule as part of their application.
If applicable:
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.
Admission timelines
As a personalized course schedule is required as part of the assessment process, usual turn-around times do not apply to applications for the Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that applicants apply early and begin working with the College of Interdisciplinary Studies as soon as possible to finalize a course schedule.
Curriculum questions
Please contact us with any questions you may have about the curriculum for the Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies.