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Online Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies
What is interdisciplinary studies? As our world becomes increasingly interdependent, employers seek individuals with cross cultural knowledge and understanding in the areas of business, technology, and innovation. Students in the Professional Studies degree program will gain experience in the areas of effective communication, quantitative skills, global awareness, social responsibility, technology, critical thinking skills, business skills, strategic innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Coursework focuses on four major areas: technology, international business, innovation, and ideas.
"Those individuals with knowledge and a global understanding of technology, strategic innovation, communication, social responsibility and so much more are those that are successful in today’s business world. A degree in Professional Studies will help you to achieve these skills."
- Dr. Suzanne LeBeau, Program Coordinator
Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Specializations:
Students may enhance their degree in interdisciplianry studies with a specialization in a career-relevant field. Specializations consists of five (5) upper division courses (15 credits) as a complement to their program major based on professional and personal interests.
Business Administration
The Business Administration Specialization is ideally suited for students interested in pursuing a career in business operations and management. Professionals in this field include department managers, accountants, consultants, executives, directors, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the Healthcare Administration and Management program.
Criminal Forensics
The Criminal Forensics Specialization is ideal for students interested in crime scene investigation and forensic science. Gain the knowledge and skills to pursue or advance a career as a medical examiner, crime analyst, criminal investigator, or similar position in this exciting field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Criminal Justice Management
The criminal justice field includes careers in security, the court system, corrections, forensics, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The Criminal Justice Management Specialization provides advanced leadership skills to further one’s professional development in these areas.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration program.
Criminology
The Criminology Specialization focuses on the study of crime, criminal behavior, and the legal system. Students pursuing a career in law enforcement, social work, forensics, welfare, pathology, probation, or other public safety positions will gain a competitive advantage through the Criminology Specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration program.
Data Management and Analysis
The Data Management and Analysis specialization is designed for students interested in careers related to information systems and networking. Professionals interested in the Information Technology field who desire in-depth knowledge of how to manage enterprise data should consider this specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Emergency Management
While emergency situations cannot always be avoided, proper critical response and preparation can drastically improve public safety. The Emergency Management Specialization provides professionals including safety directors, emergency specialists, consultants, analysts, responders, etc. with the skills necessary in a wide array of emergencies.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Finance
Gain insight and professional skills with regards to the bottom line through this specialization in finance. Career opportunities exist for accountants, investment bankers, payroll specialists, analysts, auditors, controllers, and more in this exciting field of study.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Accounting programs. B.S. in Business Management students must be enrolled in the program requirements from the 2012 Fall-B term or later.
Foundations of Accounting
This specialization provides business principles and other applied skills in the area of accounting to assist professionals at all levels. In addition to accountants and CPAs, this specialization provides financial understanding for budget and cost analysts, payroll specialists, auditors, tax consultants, advisors, managers, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Accounting program.
Healthcare Informatics
The Healthcare Informatics Specialization is ideal for healthcare administrators and other professionals who are interested in the effective management of data and information within a global and technology-rich environment.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Healthcare Management
The Healthcare Management Specialization provides professionals in clinics, hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, research facilities, and more with the focused training required to handle the unique management challenges of the Healthcare industry. This specialization gives students a competitive edge in an ever-changing field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Healthcare Administration and Management program.
Human Resources and Organizational Development
Students interested in pursuing a career in Human Resources should consider adding this specialization to their bachelor’s degree coursework. It provides a background in personnel management, staff training and development, policy and procedures, and more. When completed as part of the B.S. in Business Management degree, this specialization aligns with educational standards from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except for the B.S. in Healthcare Administration and Management program.
Learn more about Human Resources and Organizational Development »
Information Technology Management
As technology continues to advance, the need for qualified IT managers grows as well. Through the Information Technology Management Specialization, students gain the administrative knowledge needed to meet the demands of corporate technology systems including problem solving, resource allocation, networking, security, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Information Technology program.
Information Technology Operations
This specialization provides a basic understanding of technology operations, networking, problem-solving, development, and more. Professionals interested in careers that require knowledge of information technology, including administrators, department managers, system analysts, and more, will benefit from this specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Information Technology program.
Marketing
Students interested in the global field of marketing will benefit from this specialization, which includes promotion, creative services, public relations, research, consulting, communications, advertisement, strategy, branding, and much more. The Marketing Specialization provides the tools necessary to be successfully employed in many areas within this field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Marketing program.
Operations Management and Supervision
The Operations Management and Supervision specialization is ideal for students who pursue careers in logistics or manufacturing and production. These courses provide knowledge and skills to improve efficiency, efficacy, and performance in organizational operations.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Organizational Leadership
Students who wish to advance into a management role in their organization or further their management skills as they apply to staff, effective decision making, strategic communication, and more should consider adding the Organizational Leadership Specialization to their bachelor’s degree major area of interest.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Organizational Leadership program.
Professional Sales
The Professional Sales Specialization is ideal for students interested in advancing their knowledge of sales and learning best practices for conducting business in today’s dynamic marketplace.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Project Management
Students interested in project management should consider this specialization to gain conprehensive theories and concepts on how to improve organizational efficiency and performance on a per project basis. Ideal for both Project Management Professionals (PMP) and those interested in entering this growing field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Project Management program.
Public Administration
Students interested in pursuing a career in government, public management, foreign services, nonprofit, security, regulatory boards, and others at the global, national, state, or local level will gain a competitive advantage with a specialization in public administration.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Public Management program.
Public and Non-Profit Management
Students interested in careers within the public and non-profit sectors should consider pursuing a specialization in Public and Non-Profit Management. This specialization provides students with management and decision-making abilities necessary within these organizations.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Public Management program.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Students who have a desire to work with a startup small business or manage their own entrepreneurial enterprises will gain the variety of skills necessary to be successful through this specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Strategic Communication
Effective communication can increase efficiency and results in a wide array of professional positions. The specialization in Strategic Communication improves both internal and external messaging, delivery, and comprehension for managers, consultants, marketing and public relations specialists, human resources, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Communication program.
The online Interdisciplinary Professional Studies degree program includes ten 3-credit courses designed to equip students with the knowledge and abilities necessary to work in current and future industries that drive local and global economic prosperity.
As a student in the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program, you will:
- Develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Communicate across disciplines using multiple technologies and media.
- Integrate knowledge from a wide variety of disciplines.
- Develop a better understanding of the world as a global society.
- Build an interdisciplinary understanding of business and innovation and its complex impact on society.
- Gain the skills needed for ethical reasoning and problem solving.
Interdisciplinary Professional Studies is one of the accredited online degree programs offered by CSU-Global Campus. As a public, 100% online university, CSU-Global is committed to student success. With low, fixed tuition rates (backed by a Tuition Guarantee) and many financial options available, affording your college education is easier than ever. Complete the quick admissions process to get started earning your degree by the next monthly term start with a trusted, regionally accredited university.
Professional studies courses listed in the suggested order of completion:
ORG300 Applying Leadership Principles: This required first course for all majors (undergraduate level) provides an overview of leadership basics. In the context of studying at CSU-Global, students will develop strategies for success in the online learning environment.
ITS325 Technology, Ethics, and Global Community: The course emphasizes the relationships among science, ethics, and technology, and the understanding of their roles in the global community. Students will understand and apply cyber law to the global marketplace as well as provide examples of Internet business model and how they are impacted by patent law.
ACT300 Principles of Financial Accounting: Introduction to accounting from a business perspective.
MGT351 Organizational Innovation and Change: Analysis of the dynamics of change and the importance of innovation within modern organizations. Emphasis on how managers can develop a culture receptive to new ideas, products, processes, and systems for improving organizational performance.
ECN405 Management in the Global Economy: An analysis of the social, political, technological and economic factors that influence practices and decisions in an international/global organization. Included is the analysis of the scope of expansion and appropriate operations in the international marketplace.
MTH410 Quantitative Business Analysis: The knowledge of various quantitative techniques to synthesize information for business decision-making. Included is the understanding of business research methods.
ECN410 Comparative Economics and Global Business: This course focuses on the history of business, technology and innovation from 1800 to the present. Major topics include ethics, culture, industrial revolution, technology and innovation, government and the impact of business practices across time and the globe.
MGT455 International Business: The course emphasizes economic, legal, political, governmental, financial and cultural issues related to international business environment and the multidisciplinary development of strategies to address it. The course covers opportunities for, threats to, and options facing the multinational or multicultural business enterprises, emphasizing host government, work force, and consumer needs, preferences, and demands and strategies for responding to them.
MGT475 Strategic Innovation and Ideas: This practical course introduces students to fundamental aspects of the strategic innovation process. It addresses the challenges of ideas development and evaluation for commercial feasibility, presenting a business case, design/development and commercialization. It covers basic management practices and critical success factors required to excel in successful innovation, such as Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility, time-based management, corporate agility. This course would also assists in preparing students to sit for the New Product Development Professional certification offered by the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA).
MGT480 Capstone - Applying Growth and Sustainability in the Global Marketplace: The course is the culmination of the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program and is designed to demonstrate student skills and abilities to address business issues typical of multi-national and international organizations. Students will address a business issue typical of the international business environment and will develop a plan to address the issue in a sustainable, ethical, cultural, and social responsible effort while determining the practical and financial impact to the organization. This course is designed to cultivate an understanding of the processes involved in addressing global economic issues in an increasingly fast-paced, rapidly changing, and highly uncertain business environment.
Dr. Suzanne LeBeau
Program Coordinator for B.S. in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies
Dr. Suzanne LeBeau has over 35 years of education experience. In addition to teaching students K-12, she has been a technology advisor in several schools and districts. she recently retired and moved to Prescott, Arizona where she spends the majority of her time at home teaching, reading, gardening, practicing her amateur photography skills, crafting, and walking her two Havanese puppies.
Dr. LeBeau’s education includes a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Instructional Technology, a Master of Arts degree in Instructional Technology, a Master of Education degree, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
What Dr. Lebeau says about the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies degree:
"Being successful in the workplace and having a well-rounded background in several areas are what workers need today. Our degree program in Professional Studies is meant to do just that: help you gain experience in numerous areas, areas that are sought by employers today."
