Online Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
Credits
120
Avg. Completion Time
3 - 3 ½ years for a full-time student with no transfer credits.
Delivery Method
Online
Why Major in Interdisciplinary Studies at LBC?
The Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program at LBC gives you the flexibility to build a degree designed for your individual educational needs. You’ll gain core knowledge and skills from four fields or disciplines: Biblical Studies + Arts & Sciences + two chosen disciplines = IDS major. While single-subject majors focus on only one area, the IDS major can combine multiple areas of study. We’ve carefully selected 13 pairs of disciplines from across LBC’s academic departments, so it’s like having 2 majors in one degree!
The Interdisciplinary Studies major may be your perfect fit if you:
- are not looking for one specific major, but to combine multiple areas of interest
- are looking to transfer a high number of credits with minimal credit loss
This online bachelor’s degree is part of LBC’s Online Undergraduate program, which is designed for busy people like you who may be working full time, raising a family, serving in ministry and more. Each course is taught in an 8-week subterm; see the list of engaging courses that are part of this program below. To meet your goals, you can customize your sequence of classes based on which courses are being offered and their prerequisites. This way, with the help of their LBC Student Success Coach, you can chart a class schedule that fits your stage in life for each 8-week subterm. To be considered a “full-time student,” students must take four 3-credit courses in a semester (16-week term).
Course Length
8-week courses
When Can I Start?
As soon as you are ready! LBC has 6 enrollment points per year, meaning that you are only ever a few weeks away from the next course starting.
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Can I Transfer Credits?
Yes! If you have completed courses in other regionally accredited colleges or in the military, you may be able to transfer in credits. Read the transfer policy.
Get Credit for Life Experience
You may be able to start our degree path at LBC with some college credits! Life experience credit is college credit a student can earn based on prior learning. Read more.
Program Plan
Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) (120 Credits)
Bible & Theology Courses 30 Credits
Arts & Sciences Courses 37 Credits
Interdisciplinary Studies* 30 Credits
Electives* 23 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
*The credits for this area may vary based on the choice of disciplines.
Schedule a Time to Chat
Want to learn more about this online undergraduate degree program? Consider scheduling an appointment to talk virtually or in person with an Admissions Counselor who will be glad to answer all your questions about earning a bachelor’s degree online.
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Develop interdisciplinary knowledge, understanding and expertise from a biblical perspective.
- Demonstrate effectiveness in communication skills, including reading and writing.
- Apply problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity across the chosen disciplines.
- Articulate a biblical worldview as applied to interdisciplinary knowledge, approaches and fields of study.
Career Paths
With the Interdisciplinary Studies bachelor’s degree your potential careers will depend heavily upon your chosen pair of disciplines. You can select from a group of disciplines that meet your own interests and vocational calling. Here is a sampling of careers and opportunities this degree may afford:
- Continuing on to further graduate studies
- Working in fields that utilize more than one discipline
- Working in business, communication, healthcare, marketing, ministry and sports.
How Do I Determine What Courses to Take?
Each student’s path to degree completion is unique, depending on the courses you transfer into the program. The curriculum plan gives a broad picture of the required credits. If your transfer credits come from mostly one of those areas, you will need to take credits in the other areas. The remaining courses you need for graduation can best be determined after reviewing your transcripts. With flexible electives, Biblical Studies requirements and Arts & Sciences requirements, most students are able to transfer to LBC the maximum number of credits.
Credits for Prior Learning. Students can earn up to 30 Life Experience Credits, through the Credits for Prior Learning evaluation process, which will often reduce the time to complete a degree. The Life Experience Credit evaluation process is done after a student begins a program.
Our Admissions Counselor are here to help guide you in planning your course of study.
Program Scope
The Interdisciplinary Studies degree offers students 13 discipline combinations to choose to design their specific program to best fulfill their educational goals. It is easy to design your program. First, choose your discipline from the list below, then click to see what course you will take and what are the available pairings for that discipline. Our Admissions Counselors are here to help with questions; just schedule a chat.
Business Administration
| Discipline Core Courses | 20 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| BUS 102 Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 103 Information Systems for Business | 2 |
| BUS 113 Foundations of Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 302 Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 205 Finance or BUS 307 Business Law | 3 |
| BUS 230 Leadership or BUS 207 Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
This discipline can be paired with either:
- Communication (32 credits)
- Ministry Leadership Studies (29 credits)
- Sport Management (32 credits)
Communication
| Discipline Core Courses | 18 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| COM 102 Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| COM 201 Communication Ethics | 3 |
| COM 110 Principles & Practices | 3 |
| Communication & Media Arts Elective | 3 |
| Communication & Media Arts Elective | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
This discipline can be paired with either:
- Business Administration (32 credits)
- Literature (30 credits)
- Ministry Leadership (27 credits)
- Sport Management (30 credits)
Criminal Justice
| Discipline Core Courses | 18 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 203 American Judicial System | 3 |
| CRJ 211 Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective: CRJ 202, CRJ 250, CRJ 304, CRJ 310, CRJ 380, CRJ 422, CRJ 381, SWK 204, SWK 213 | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective: CRJ 202, CRJ 250, CRJ 304, CRJ 310, CRJ 380, CRJ 422, CRJ 381, SWK 204, SWK 213 | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
History
| Discipline Core Courses | 18 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| History Elective HIS 201, HIS 202, HIS 203, HIS 204, HIS 205, HIS 210, HIS 224, and 300 and 400 level HIS courses. | 3 |
| History Elective HIS 224, and 300 and 400 level HIS courses. | 3 |
| History Elective HIS 201, HIS 202, HIS 203, HIS 204, HIS 205, HIS 210, HIS 224, and 300 and 400 level HIS courses. | 3 |
| History Elective (300/400) – HIS 301, HIS 302, HIS 303, HIS 304, HIS 305, HIS 310, HIS 480, HUM 422 CP: The Modern Age | 3 |
| History Elective (300/400) – HIS 301, HIS 302, HIS 303, HIS 304, HIS 305, HIS 310, HIS 480, HUM 422 CP: The Modern Age | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
This discipline can be paired with:
- Literature (30 credits)
Literature
| Discipline Core Courses | 18 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| Literature Elective | 3 |
| Literature Elective | 3 |
| Literature Elective (300/400) | 3 |
| Literature Elective (300/400) | 3 |
| Literature Elective (300/400) | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
This discipline can be paired with:
- Communication (30 credits)
Ministry Leadership
| Discipline Core Courses | 15 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| CML 102 Foundations of Ministry | 3 |
| CML 210 Fundamentals of Ministry Leadership | 3 |
| MIN 201 Strategic Ministry Leadership | 3 |
| CML 324 Spiritual Formation of Ministry Leaders | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
This discipline can be paired with either:
- Business Administration (29 credits)
- Communication (27 credits)
- Sport Management (27 credits)
Political Science
| Discipline Core Courses | 18 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| POL Core 3 of the 4 required: POL 100, POL 202, POL 211, POL 250 | 3 |
| POL Core 3 of the 4 required: POL 100, POL 202, POL 211, POL 250 | 3 |
| POL Core 3 of the 4 required: POL 100, POL 202, POL 211, POL 250 | 3 |
| Major Elective: HIS 204, HIS 301, POL 201, POL 203, POL 310, POL 320*, POL 380, SWK 202* | 3 |
| Major Elective: HIS 204, HIS 301, POL 201, POL 203, POL 310, POL 320*, POL 380, SWK 202* | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
*These courses may have additional prerequisites.
This discipline can be paired with either:
- Business Administration (32 credits)
- Criminal Justice (30 credits)
- History (30 credits)
Sport Management
| Discipline Core Courses | 18 Credits |
| IDS 100 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Workshop | 1 |
| SPM 105 Introduction to Sport Management | 3 |
| SPM 140 Fundamentals of Coaching | 3 |
| SPM Major Elective | 3 |
| SPM 412 Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SOC 305 Sport Psychology | 3 |
| IDS 400 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone | 2 |
This discipline can be paired with either:
- Business Administration (32 credits)
- Communication (30 credits)
- Ministry Leadership (27 credits)
An Alumnus Shares About His Online Experience
Hear from Carroll Briggs (’17) about his experience earning his undergraduate degree online.
Watch Video