What is Multidisciplinary Studies?

Multidisciplinary Studies is designed to integrate a student’s academic interest and skills. Students learn to be integrative thinkers who can see connections in seemingly disparate information, draw on a wide range of knowledge and skills to make decisions, and to communicate effectively with diverse audiences for a variety of purposes and in a variety of settings.

Multidisciplinary Studies at Western

Western’s Multidisciplinary Studies major provides a solid liberal arts education to prepare students for rapidly changing career opportunities in many different fields. It is designed for students whose interests cannot be served by Western’s established majors, and who want to focus their major studies across courses and departments to better meet their career goals or preparation for advanced levels of education.

This program is perfect for returning students and active military/veterans who are looking to complete a higher-level degree to obtain positions that require a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Multiple Locations and Programs

Puget Sound

By maximizing partnerships with community colleges, like-minded universities and community centers throughout the Puget Sound region, Western students have access to education beyond the Bellingham campus.

Locations Offered

  • Bellingham
  • Bremerton
  • Port Angeles
  • Poulsbo

Western on the Peninsulas

This program is also available to students on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas with a variety of flexible themes, including face-to-face and online course options.

Explore Courses

To learn more about this program, including grade requirements, a course listing, how to declare the major, and more, see the Program of Study Details.

Program Contacts

Bellingham Campus Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters

Pam Hardman, Academic Year MDS Program Advisor

pamhard@wwu.edu

360-650-7621

To schedule a face-to-face or Zoom advising appointment in the fall, winter, or spring, please email Pam Hardman and provide days and times that you are available.

Poulsbo Campus (Kitsap & Olympic Peninsulas)

WWU Center at OC Poulsbo
1000 Olympic College Way NW
Poulsbo, WA 98370-7198
360-650-2568

To schedule an advising appointment, please email western.peninsulas@wwu.edu and provide days and times when you are available.

Request more information about Western on the Peninsulas

Bellingham Campus Summer

Marc Geisler, Summer MDS Program Advisor

geisler@wwu.edu

360-650-3764

To schedule a face-to-face or Zoom advising appointment in the summer, please email Marc Geisler and provide days and times that you are available.

Hands-on-Experience and Internships

Depending on the departments that the student chooses to represent their Multidisciplinary Studies, students are encouraged to be involved in extracurricular experiences from their areas of interest, including: internships, clubs, and study abroad. 

"Participating and learning how to work in teams has really taught me more about myself and how I work with others. I know this will help me in future endeavors and with my career."

Nadia A.

Student

What can you do with Multidisciplinary Studies?

Students in a program of multidisciplinary study have a variety of careers at their fingertips from studies in various disciplines. 

Multidisciplinary Studies careers

  • Manager
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Program Administrator
  • Project Administrator
  • Staffing Specialist
  • Case Manager
  • Sales

Related Majors

Start Your Career at Western