Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

at Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - West Campus USA

The BS in population health program integrates the fields of public health and health care delivery to teach students about the factors that impact health.

Students learn how social determinants of health, access to care and infrastructure influence the health of defined groups, as well as the roles of stakeholders and how to work across systems to improve health. Students benefit as the field of population health requires training in disciplines fundamental to the College of Health Solutions, including biomedical informatics, economics, social determinants of health, program and community assessment, program planning, and health care delivery.

The multidisciplinary program features experiential learning, including student engagement as citizen scientists, to better understand population health. Students can customize their learning by focusing on environmental health systems, food systems, mental health systems, compliance in the health care industry, health education programs, the design and improvement of population health systems, or health informatics.

The communication program prepares students to do far more than give a speech or two in front of their peers. It provides an extensive understanding of the practical, theoretical and professional distinctions of today's field of communication and equips students with the skills needed to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively through both the spoken and written word.

In the nationally recognized CommLabASU, this program trains and prepares students for in-depth study into what contributes to and detracts from effective human communication, recognizing that the art of communication is far more nuanced than simple speaking and writing prowess.

Students may pursue one or more focus areas that are designed to amplify their academic and professional preparation in specific contexts, including: public relations, risk and strategic communication; media, culture and social technology; communication training and mentoring; dialogue, relationships and communities; and sport communication.

In the BA program in business with a concentration in business administration, students gain a breadth of knowledge and the skills needed for managing business operations. The program provides the full business core plus a concentration with 18 hours of coursework focused on skills such as forecasting demand; planning inventory; purchasing services; conducting skillful negotiations; building strategies for the future and managing people, finances and risk.

The BS program in health entrepreneurship and innovation provides students with a broad background in the principles of innovation, leadership, complexity science, change theory, collaboration and evidence-based decision-making to prepare graduates to manage implementation of innovation in the health care arena.

Through the use of evidence-based decision-making and leadership skills in interprofessional teams, students learn to tackle health care challenges using modern technology, public policy and communication. This unique program situates students at the intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling them to develop their own solutions to health challenges.

Program areas of emphasis:

• Develop competence in the design, application and testing of innovative processes and products
• Incorporate current trends with interprofessional teams
• Lead processes of innovation and transformation

The MA in interdisciplinary studies offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences is an innovative program that allows students to combine the study of two or more disciplines for their program of study.

Founded on the conviction that solving problems in the 21st century often requires an interdisciplinary approach, this flexible program provides exposure to a variety of research methods, historical perspectives and modes of inquiry.

The program gives students access to faculty members who are active practitioners of interdisciplinary inquiry. Working with the faculty, students may define their own area of emphasis or adopt an existing area within the humanities and social sciences.

The skills and knowledge that students acquire can be directed toward doctoral study or professional goals in any enterprise that engages in research or education.

Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the law. The concentration in forensic psychology within the BS program in psychology combines general training in psychology with specialized coursework in criminal law, criminal behavior, the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and legal decision-making.

When courts are faced with cases in which a psychology-related question arises, they may turn to psychologists and ask for help with the case. For example, psychologists might assist the court in understanding a criminal's mental state at the time of a crime or whether a particular jury might have been biased against a defendant based on his or her race. This is the realm of forensic psychology.

This program teaches students about the various roles of psychologists in the legal system and helps them discover which roles they might like to pursue through careers in mental health, criminal justice or through graduate training.

The Bachelor of Science degree differs from the BA degree in that it requires two additional lab courses and advanced statistical training. The Bachelor of Science program provides a greater depth of knowledge in the biological and neuroscientific aspects of psychology that are becoming increasingly important both for research and clinical forensic practice. In addition, the advanced statistical training further prepares students for careers and graduate training involving psychological research, clinical research and legal policy research.

Forensic science is the study and application of scientific methods to matters of law. The BS program in forensic science emphasizes laboratory coursework in chemistry and biology as both areas provide essential experience with techniques commonly used in crime labs.

Rigorous coursework in the natural and mathematical sciences is required to ensure graduates are competitive in the workforce. The program is enhanced by a focus on oral communication skills that help prepare graduates for the multifaceted, transdisciplinary aspects of careers in forensic science, such as providing articulate expert witness testimony.

The BA program in community advocacy and social policy focuses on advocacy strategies through an in-depth exploration, analysis and comparison of social service systems and policies from an empowerment perspective.

The program's emphasis is on examining the needs of historically under-served individuals, families and communities. Policy analysis and social change are critical themes in developing an advocacy knowledge base as are the equally important themes of prevention and social well-being. Students complete courses in two core areas: diversity and oppressed populations and social issues and interventions.

While the Bachelor of Arts in community advocacy and social policy program is fully accredited regionally under the North Central Regional Higher Education Association, it is not accredited through the Council of Social Work Education because this degree is not a BSW degree. Therefore, the Bachelor of Arts in community advocacy and social policy degree would not fulfill a professional licensing requirement that requires a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work program.

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a BS in political science in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Political science is the study of governmental practices, politics and theories. Coursework in the political science program covers American institutions, international relations, political theory and world affairs. This program helps students gain a basic understanding of the assumptions underlying political science and to develop the necessary research skills for analyzing complex sociopolitical issues. In addition to coursework, students learn through internships, service-learning and research opportunities. The Bachelor of Science degree differs from the BA degree in that it requires an additional statistics course and a methods course.

Graduates of this program are prepared for work as analysts or aides in local, state or national legislative offices, among other roles. Many graduates go on to law school or graduate programs in political science, social science, urban planning or public administration.

The BS program in biology with an emphasis in the natural sciences examines these disciplines through experiential learning. By learning in an integrative environment that emphasizes the connectedness of the life sciences, students gain a better understanding of larger scientific concepts and can view these concepts from multiple perspectives.

All of the program's core courses include laboratories.

Students are encouraged to conduct independent research under the mentorship of faculty members or during internships. Some even publish in top journals and present their results at scientific meetings.

Graduates are prepared for employment with state and federal agencies or private organizations, such as biomedical laboratories and environmental consultancies. They are also prepared for graduate or doctoral programs in human or veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry or scientific research.