Full time, Part time
03 Jun 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
03 Sep 2025
CAD 38,400 *
Blended, Distance Learning
* tuition costs are for the entire program: $38400 international students, $ 30,680 domestic students
A journey’s second step is as important as its first. The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies offers a program tailored to your academic objectives. By offering options from other RRU programs, we’re able to provide an education shaped by your unique aspirations.
At Royal Roads University, we understand that your job and personal life can’t always take a backseat to your education. That’s why we offer graduate degrees that equip you for the professional demands of life while enabling you to meet personal ones.
Proximity to the RRU campus doesn’t have to be an issue. You can choose to do your MA in Interdisciplinary Studies completely online, or you can include a short-term on-campus residency in your program. Our graduate students succeed because they’re given the chance to achieve a healthy balance between the real world and real-world education.
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies offers master’s degrees comprised of elements from other RRU programs (leadership, education and technology, change management, justice, conflict analysis and management, etc.), enabling us to provide an education shaped by your unique aspirations. Students benefit greatly from an individualized education that offers programs pursuant to their unique interests and schedules, while employers are attracted to candidates capable of meeting the specific demands of the professional world. That’s how everyone wins. That’s why Royal Roads graduate students are always in demand.
Royal Roads University draws more than just master’s students seeking an active role in the design of their educational experience. It also attracts driven, focused individuals who want more from their careers and who share a common desire to apply their education meaningfully throughout their organizations and communities. Most of our graduate students are already working professionals. That’s why we’re committed to providing a program that integrates professional experience with a practical education.
This graduate degree program is offered in two formats: online or a blended delivery that combines online coursework with one on-campus residency. And since we’re committed to providing individualized education, all of our students work closely with our program advisor to develop individual academic plans tailored to their specific needs. Drawing from two or more areas of study, this unique system enables Royal Roads graduate students to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study that combines personal passion and professional interest.
*This is not an independent studies or cohort model program. Courses are not self-paced and their start and end dates can vary.
Requiring 2-2.5 years of study, this degree program provides flexible scheduling options that combine online MA degree learning with one optional short-term on-campus residency.
*Each online course can require up to 20 hours of study per week. Working professionals are encouraged to take this into consideration when developing a program of study in the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies program.
A total of 36 credit hours are required. INDS500, INDS505, and INDS510 are required courses for all options. Courses INDS500 and INDS505 must be taken at the beginning of the schedule before other courses can be taken, as they are foundational courses for the rest of the program.
Step 1: Choose Your Delivery
- All courses are taken online
- Select both online and blended courses
- You may select one residency as part of your program schedule
Step 2: Design Your Program
- Select 27 credits (9 courses)
- Select 15 credits (5 courses)
- Include a Major Project (12 credits)
- Select 15 credits (5 courses)
- Include a Thesis (12 credits)
Step 3: Choose Your Courses
View the complete list of required and elective courses.
A total of 36 credits are required.
In addition to the courses listed below, there are courses available through graduate certificate programs in various subject areas, including professional communication, leadership, project management and human resources management.
Required Online Courses
- ITAI: Introduction to Academic Integrity
- INDS500: Theory in Interdisciplinary Studies
- INDS505: Academic Writing and Critical Thinking across Disciplines
- INDS510: Social Science Research Methods
- INDS515: Global Perspectives on Indigenous Ways of Knowing
- INDS525: LGBTQ2S+ Global Issues and Community Engagement
- INDS535: Outdoor Experiential Education
Major Project/Thesis Option
A period of 12 months is allocated to work on the Major Project or Thesis.
Students may choose one major project/thesis option:
- INDS640: Major Project
- INDS690: Thesis
Below is a list of residencies that include two or more courses in individual program areas. Students may choose one of the program area residencies below.
- VBLD510: Values-Based Leadership: Being Best for the World
- VBLD512: Values-Based Collaboration and Partnerships
- VBLD514: Leadership, Culture and Sustainability
Transfer of Graduate Certificate Option
- Students who have completed a for-credit Royal Roads graduate certificate may ladder up to 12 credits into the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies.
- Students who have completed a graduate certificate for credit at other institutions may be able to transfer up to 12 credits into the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, subject to review of the certificate.
Scholarships and Funding
Financial Aid & Awards
The Financial Aid & Awards team is here to provide information and support on a variety of funding sources and award opportunities, starting with a video that introduces the comprehensive details you’ll find on this website and in our blog.
View a summary of government assistance programs for those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Financial planning is a crucial component of early educational planning. Please review funding opportunities well before your program begins to help build a reasonable budget.
Explore the various types of loans available to help fund your studies.
Explore a variety of competitively awarded scholarships, awards, and bursaries available from RRU and other funding agencies.
RRU manages the scholarship administration for select funding agencies. These are some of the more substantial awards.
Discover alternate funding opportunities like Highbred Points.