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Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs

Through UT’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs, you can leverage an associate’s or previously earned college credits to complete your bachelor’s degree online. Our BA completion program is designed to be flexible, affordable, and collaborative. When you commit to finishing your bachelor’s degree, UT commits to supporting you every step of the way.

A Closer Look at UT’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

The UT Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs offers two concentrations and several program emphasis options and, in turn, empowers you to find your ideal fit. Our only goal is to help you complete your bachelor’s degree online—join us today.

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Overview

Online Experience

Our program is designed to provide a pathway to a bachelor’s degree for adult learners who have completed at least 60 credit hours from an accredited post-secondary institution. UT pairs the power of world-class instruction with the accessibility of an online learning format, bringing a new level of flexibility to finishing your bachelor’s degree. With our support, you can earn the credits you need to complete your bachelor’s degree online without putting commitments like work and family on hold.

Your online learning experience will feature a blend of synchronous and asynchronous classroom content. Live lecture sessions will take place during weekday afternoons and evenings, enabling you to connect with your professors and classmates, ask questions, and take a deep dive into course content. Live lectures are supported by independent readings, assignments, and video modules that you will complete throughout the week on your own time.

Choose a Concentration

Seamlessly progress from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree with our online BA completion program. Within our flexible curriculum, you’ll have the option to choose between two primary concentrations to lay the groundwork for your educational journey, with a variety of courses that best suit your particular interests and career goals.

Public Policy & Administration

The Public Policy and Administration concentration aims to enhance one’s knowledge about the process of making decisions and policies within an organization as well as how the study of government policies impacts organizational functioning. 

This concentration explores the theory and research that drives these policies and practices. In turn, this knowledge may assist you in navigating the political complexities within your organization and/or improve your ability to serve as a leader in your organization in these domains.

Our Public Policy & Administration track prepares students for careers in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Your curriculum will cover areas of interest, including policy analysis, research methods, non-profit management, economics, and more.

Course options include:

  • Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy
  • Political Change in Developing Areas
  • Western European Politics
  • International Political Economy

An interior aerial view of UTK BAIP students studying at round tables with orange chairs

Cultures & Societies

The concentration in Cultures and Societies aims to provide online students with a deeper understanding of the beliefs, practices, and behaviors of different groups of people. The courses offered within this concentration are designed to enhance one’s knowledge of the history of various cultures and societies and how the practices and behaviors of various cultures influence people and our environment. 

As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, learning about our similarities and differences will become invaluable in enhancing workplace relations and job satisfaction. It will also be essential to managing effective teams.

Our Cultures & Societies concentration focuses on understanding connections between people and identity. Explore diverse perspectives and areas of study, including comparative studies, people and the environment, anthropology, economics, and more.

Course options include:

  • Ecology and Society
  • Popular Culture and American Politics
  • Sociological Theory

Two BAIP students sit outside on grassy steps studying with their laptops and backpacks

Choose an Emphasis

Enhance your academic journey even further by selecting a program emphasis that aligns with your interests and career goals. Dive deeper into contemporary issues, expand your worldview, and explore diverse topics within your chosen field.

The Volunteer Difference

No matter your degree or status, graduates of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, are Volunteers for life. We’re proud of our Vol family, composed of generations of doers from around the world. Our online degree completion program aligns closely with our commitment to empowering learners of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their dreams through accessible and affordable education. In addition to the full support of the UT network, bachelor’s completion students benefit from the academic flexibility now synonymous with online learning.

Career Advancement and Return on Investment

At UT, we’re proud to offer a bachelor’s degree completion program that helps students hone their critical thinking, research and analysis, and human behavior skills. It’s broad by design, encouraging adult learners from all backgrounds to expand their knowledge base while finishing a degree that’s proven to increase their earning potential. 

Those interested in specializing their learning experience further can choose between our two areas of concentration. Whatever your passion and motivation, we’re committed to helping you advance your career with a bachelor’s when you finish it at UT. 

Make your move and return to school with confidence. Take a look at the average return on learning when you complete your bachelor’s degree online.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022

Note: Salaries based on median weekly earnings multiplied by 52 weeks.

42%

On average, bachelor’s degree holders earn 42% more than associate’s degree holders each year.1

2.2%

In 2022, the unemployment rate for individuals with a bachelor’s degree was 2.2%, compared to 3.5% for those with some college or 2.7% for those with associate’s degrees.2

Featured Faculty Member

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs faculty are committed to helping you transform your associate’s into a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about academics at our College of Arts & Sciences. 

A professional UTK faculty headshot of Aleydis Van De Moortel

Aleydis Van De Moortel

HEAD

DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS

Specialties
Aegean Prehistory, Minoan Pottery, Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean

PhD Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
Bryn Mawr College
MA Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology
Bryn Mawr College
MA Anthropology
Texas A&M University
MA Classics
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

FAQ

Have questions about how you can complete your bachelor's degree online with UT? Find answers to frequently asked questions about our online degree completion program.

Students may enroll for a maximum of 19 credit hours each fall and spring semester, and a maximum of 12 credit hours in any combination of summer session courses. Enrollment in more than the specified number of credit hours must be approved by the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Upon graduation, students will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs.

The average number of total credits required for graduation is 60. Time to completion will vary based on the number of credits taken each semester.

Tuition is currently $439 per credit hour for in-state students and $514 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Tuition is subject to change each year as approved by the University. Cost of attendance does not include additional university fees.

There is no work experience required to apply to or enroll in the online bachelor’s degree completion program.

No entrance exams are required to apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs at this time.

Applicants need to have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours from an accredited institution or hold an eligible associate’s degree from an accredited institution to be considered for the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs. For comprehensive eligibility information, review our admissions criteria or contact a member of our team today.

Application waivers are available on a case-by-case basis. Applicants seeking a waiver  should fill out the fee waiver form and email it to UT Knoxville's Undergraduate Admissions office.

Yes, you can complete your bachelor's degree online with UT. Our flexible online platform allows you to balance your studies with other commitments, providing interactive courses, dedicated faculty support, and a collaborative virtual environment for your education.

Online bachelor's degrees are highly respected in today's academic and professional world. With advancements in technology and the growing popularity of online education, reputable institutions like the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, recognize the importance of offering quality online degree programs.

In UT's Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs, students will explore complex issues, integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines, and develop innovative solutions, fostering critical thinking and preparing them for the challenges of today's interconnected world.

With an interdisciplinary studies degree from UT's Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs, you can pursue a wide range of career paths and opportunities. The versatility of this degree allows you to tailor your education to your interests and goals, combining knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines to solve complex problems in various fields. Graduates may find employment in areas such as education, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare, business, and more. 

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs typically requires an average of 60 total credits for graduation. The time it takes to complete the degree will vary depending on the number of credits taken each semester.

An enrollment advisor is a dedicated professional who assists you through the admissions and enrollment process. They’ll provide personalized guidance on program requirements, application procedures, credit transfers, and financial aid options to ensure a smooth transition into UT's Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs. If you have questions about the admissions process, reach out to an enrollment advisor.

Accreditation

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and has been authorized to offer distance education courses since 1998.

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1Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022