You see connections others don't. Challenge the boundaries of traditional studies and customize your graduate degree. Choose courses from various academic fields and apply your research to your career
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September 07, 2021
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January 24, 2022
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Program description
You see connections others don't. Challenge the boundaries of traditional academic studies and customize your graduate degree.
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies allows you to choose elements from various Royal Roads University programs to create a personalized, transdisciplinary education. This means that you can choose from courses led by experts in different academic fields.
It's a degree program for students who want to study and think across boundaries.
Integrate knowledge from your experience and profession with a range of inter-related academic subjects. And complete applied research that's relevant to your life and career goals.
Design a program and schedule that fits your life with online courses and an optional two- or three-week residency.
You can build to here
You can apply credits from the Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies or Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies toward this degree program.
Program delivery
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies allows you to work directly with faculty to create your own flexible schedule.
You can combine courses that interest you from other masters and graduate certificate programs at Royal Roads University. The interdisciplinary nature of this degree means that you can't take more than half of your courses from any one program.
Our program advisors support and guide you to tailor your program to your career or research interests. As part of your application, you will need to work directly with a graduate program advisor to create a schedule that identifies the courses you will take. It takes about a month to do this.
Program completion usually takes two to two and a half years. You can do one on-campus residency with another master's program or you can complete your degree entirely online.
Find additional program information and answers to frequently asked questions in the program guide.
Unlike many of our programs, you will not be part of a group of students in a cohort for the duration of the program. Courses have varying start and end dates and schedules for assignments and discussions.
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 taking a blended program, which includes online courses and a two- or three-week residency on campus.
Residencies 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.
Completion options
You can choose from the following three options to complete this program:
- course-based
- major project
- thesis
Questions
Contact the program advisor for help with designing your individual program schedule.
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Standard admission
- Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a related field 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. MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) students move between cohorts and need to be comfortable with completing an individualized program at their own pace 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.
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 Master of Arts 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 master’s 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 MAIS (In this section, you should discuss what you hope to learn, why RRU, your unique strengths, and any other information you believe relevant)
The MA in Interdisciplinary Studies requires a high degree of flexibility and self-direction from students. We will assess your potential fit to the program in part on the content provided in your personal statement.
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 should be written by individuals qualified to assess your professional expertise and speak specifically to your academic qualifications and ability to conduct graduate level research. Reference letters must be submitted directly by the referee and not by the applicant.
Proposed course schedule
Applicants must work directly with the College of Interdisciplinary Studies to design a program schedule which identifies courses to be taken as part of the program. The process of developing such an individualized schedule can vary significantly but will often take one month; an application is not considered complete until it contains a schedule that has been endorsed by the applicant and the College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
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 MA 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 MA in Interdisciplinary Studies.
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Program completion options
Choose from three completion options for the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
A major project or thesis allows you to explore an applied or academic research question that relates to an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary field of study.
Course-based
You'll complete 36 credits of on-campus or online courses, including the following:
- 9 credits from three required courses in academic writing and critical thinking, interdisciplinary theory and methods
- 27 credits from courses in master's or graduate certificate programs
The coursework option allows you to acquire a maximum breadth of knowledge across disciplines without developing or demonstrating the ability to conduct research. If you struggle with self-directed learning, the regular assignments, deliverables and group work offered in this completion option may help you.
Major research project
You'll complete 36 credits of on-campus or online courses, including the following:
- 9 credits in three required courses in academic writing and critical thinking, interdisciplinary theory and methods
- 15 credits from courses in master's or graduate certificate programs
- 12 credits dedicated to a major project usually aligned with your professional field
A major project is an applied research project normally completed over a one-year period with guidance from a supervisor.
You can write a longer paper or article, or create a video, website, white paper, policy document, curriculum or something else. You'll decide this with your supervisor.
This option is ideal if you want to use your interdisciplinary learning in your workplace or to leverage an applied project for consulting.
Thesis
You'll complete 36 credits of on-campus or online courses, including the following:
- 9 credits in three required courses in academic writing and critical thinking, interdisciplinary theory and methods
- 15 credits from courses in master's or graduate certificate programs
- 12 credits dedicated to a master’s thesis
A thesis is a systematic study of a significant problem, issue or phenomenon. The thesis demonstrates your ability to analyze existing research, collate or collect data and apply it to an existing problem, issue or opportunity. The result is a synthesis of theoretical and empirical information, and recommendations for further action.
Requirements for a thesis completion include the following:
- submission for publication in Royal Roads University's digital archive, Pro-Quest and library, and Archives Canada, unless an exemption has been granted
- PDF summary with a minimum of 2,500 words for theses in non-traditional formats
- oversight by a thesis committee, including a supervisor, who is qualified at the doctoral level and demonstrates relevant competency in content and methodology
- public defence and review by an external academic examiner
- approximately 400 hours of effort
Directed study
If you're completing a major project or thesis, we recommend including a directed study course in your program schedule. This will allow you to begin working with a potential supervisor early on and to complete a literature review for your specific research interest.
