Interdisciplinary Program Starter Kit

Colleges and universities face growing pressure from declining enrollments, tighter budgets, and rising expectations for post-graduation success. To stay relevant, they must rethink how academic programs are structured and ensure they meet the changing needs of both students and employers.

Interdisciplinary programs offer a promising path forward by blending expertise across fields to prepare graduates with the adaptable skills needed in a rapidly shifting job market. However, many institutions encounter significant challenges when launching these programs including unclear market demand, entrenched departmental silos, misaligned faculty incentives, and high curricular development costs. Overcoming these obstacles is essential to realizing the full potential of interdisciplinary programming.

What sets exceptional interdisciplinary programs apart? The Interdisciplinary Program Starter Kit highlights six hallmarks of successful program design, offering insights to help you achieve institutional and student-focused outcomes. You’ll find guidance on how to foster collaboration across disciplines, align program goals with workforce and student needs, and address challenges in sustainability and scalability.

Six hallmarks of successful interdisciplinary program design