Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies (MEd)
October 21, 2014 2025-03-19 10:39Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies (MEd)
Embrace Liberal Arts
Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies (MEd)
Transform your career with a customized educational journey.
Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies (MEd)
Imagine a learning environment where you’re not limited to a single discipline, but instead have the opportunity to design a program that’s customized to your professional development goals. That’s what you’ll get in Lynchburg’s Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies program. It’s a master’s degree with a liberal arts mindset. Here, you’ll embark on a transformative journey, where you can draw from a range of disciplines, integrating them into a comprehensive curriculum that aligns perfectly with your aspirations.
This completely online program allows you to leverage your curiosity and diverse interests, bridging the gap between traditional fields of study. In our convenient afternoon and evening classes, you’ll collaborate with like-minded peers, building an educational foundation that’s as unique as you are.
Our interdisciplinary program isn’t just about earning a degree, it’s about empowering you for leadership roles across a spectrum of sectors — from education and business to health care, military, and nonprofit organizations. Even if you don’t need additional professional certifications, this MEd degree provides the versatility and depth of understanding that are increasingly sought after in today’s multifaceted world.
Apply today and embrace this broad-based learning approach and broaden your horizons with our Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Harness the Power of Interdisciplinary Studies: Key Features of Our MEd Program
Expand Your Horizons with Our Interdisciplinary Master’s Program
Build-it-yourself Master’s Degree Program
With our interdisciplinary master’s degree, you’re in control of your educational journey. Design a course of study that’s uniquely tailored to your professional development needs, choosing from a wide array of disciplines to craft a curriculum that’s truly your own.
Practical Training Opportunities
Practical application is at the core of our interdisciplinary studies program. With opportunities to apply your interdisciplinary knowledge in real-world scenarios, you’ll both learn and implement, enhancing your practical skills and readiness for your chosen career path.
Cross-disciplinary Business Courses
Tap into the strategic mindset of business leaders. Our program allows you to include courses from our Master of Business Administration or Master of Healthcare Administration programs. These courses cover everything from entrepreneurship to strategic management, equipping you with business acumen to complement your interdisciplinary studies.
Inclusive Education Courses
Our interdisciplinary program includes access to courses from our Master of Education programs in curriculum and instruction, counseling, instructional design, nonprofit leadership, and special and gifted education. Whether you’re passionate about creating inclusive and highly-effective learning environments, enhancing your leadership skills, or both, these courses enhance your degree with a holistic educational perspective.
Leadership in Education
Drive change with leadership skills. Our program incorporates courses from our Master of Education in Leadership, providing you with the skills needed to lead in educational settings. Discover how to drive innovation, manage teams, and navigate the dynamics of educational institutions.
Nonprofit Leadership
Learn how to make a difference in the nonprofit sector. Our interdisciplinary master’s program allows for the inclusion of courses from our nonprofit leadership master’s. You’ll gain expertise in fundraising, management, and finance, and learn how to effectively lead nonprofit organizations.
Public Health Perspectives
Bring a health-conscious lens to your interdisciplinary degree. Our Master of Public Health courses can be integrated into your study plan, helping you better understand and address the complex health challenges of our times.
Program Goals
- Enable those individuals starting a graduate program to choose courses from multiple disciplines in order to design a program that will best serve their professional development needs.
- Enhance instructional knowledge and skills of employees in organizations and agencies who are responsible for implementing training programs and for teaching opportunities in non-school environments.
- Enable students who previously started another area of study to apply their coursework to a more broad-based program that will help them to complement some or all of their coursework with courses selected from other disciplines.
Curriculum and Resources
2024-25 Academic Year Information
Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies
Required Courses (12 hours):
- EDCI 617 Foundations and Curriculum of American Education (3)
- EDHD 609 Research Methods and Applications (3)
or
- EDLS 609 Research Methods and Applications for Educational Leaders (3)
- EDLS 603 Legal and Ethical Issues (3)
- EDHD 671 Professional Project in Education (3, 6)
AND 24 credit hours of electives from other master’s level courses
(with faculty/advisor approval)
Total Hours Required: 36
Take the Next Step: Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies Admissions
Your interdisciplinary journey begins with your application. Secure your place in our multifaceted program, which will broaden your knowledge, enhance your skills, and empower your career.
Application Deadlines
- Fall semester: July 31
- Spring term: Nov. 30
How to Apply
- Complete the online application.
- Submit an official transcript from the college or university where your bachelor’s degree was awarded.
- Submit an essay on the following topic:
- Why do you want to pursue the Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies, or MEd, and/or how this degree will assist you in achieving your career goals?
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
Learn more about the application process if you are one of the following:
- International student
- Student seeking a second master’s degree
- Non-degree-seeking graduate student
School of Professional and Applied Sciences
Andrew Bruce, PhD
Autumn M. Dodge, PhD
Daniel Murphy, MJA
Eric Kyper, PhD
Frank R. Whitehouse Jr., MBA
Gerald Prante, PhD
Ghislaine Lewis, PhD
Holly Gould, PhD
Janell Stinnett ’91, ’10 MEd
Jeremy Langett, PhD
Jimmy Roux, PhD
John N. Angelis, PhD
Lee Schimmoeller, DBA
Lindsay Parks Pieper, PhD
Lucinda (Cindi) Spaulding, PhD
Mac Duis, EdD
Maria Nathan, PhD, SHRM
Michael G. Robinson, PhD
Michael Schnur, DBA
Owen C. Cardwell Jr., PhD
Paula Youra, PhD
Percy Abell ’87, ’00 MEd
Randall Dunn, EdD
Sara Bennett, PhD
Stefan Nicovich, PhD
The University of Lynchburg's School of Professional and Applied Sciences, Leadership Studies, and Counseling has obtained full accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This accreditation signifies that the college meets the comprehensive standards for educator preparation.
The accreditation process evaluates several aspects of an educational institution, including the effectiveness of its teaching programs, the preparation of its students for careers in education, and the institution's commitment to continuous improvement and current educational practices.
As a CAEP-accredited institution, the college has demonstrated its ability to prepare its students for teaching roles in pre-K to 12th-grade education. This achievement reflects the college's ongoing commitment to maintaining high educational standards and adapting to the evolving requirements of teacher education.
This accreditation is an important milestone for the School of Professional and Applied Sciences, Leadership Studies, and Counseling, and it ensures that the college continues to provide quality education to its students.
CAEP Accountability Measures
- Measure 1: Completer Impact and Effectiveness
- Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
- Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Program Completion
- Measure 4: Ability of Completers to be Hired in Education Positions for Which They Have Been Prepared
Title II Report Cards
- 2022-2023 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2021-2022 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2020-2021 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2019-2020 Title II Program Report [PDF]
- 2018-2019 Title II Program Report [PDF]
Licensure and Certification
Per federal regulations from the U.S. Department of Education and CAEP, we must disclose whether our educational programs are eligible for state credentialing such as certification or licensure. The University of Lynchburg has been approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education to offer 11 initial licensure programs at the undergraduate level. If you gain licensure in Virginia, it can lead to reciprocal licensure in other states and jurisdictions. The teacher education program at the University of Lynchburg can assist you in obtaining the following types of licenses:- Elementary Education (PreK – 6th grade): Elementary Education (BS)
- Secondary Education (6th – 12th grades): English Education (BA), History and Social Studies Education (BA), Mathematics Education (BS), Biology Education (BS), Chemistry Education (BA), Earth Science Education (BA)
- Designated Discipline Education (PreK–12th grade): Health and Physical Education (BS)
Reciprocal Licensure and Other State Requirements
Educators who are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible for reciprocal licensure in more than 45 states across the U.S. However, it is important to note that some states may require additional temporary, testing, or other requirements that educators must meet before teaching in that jurisdiction. To determine the necessary steps for teaching outside of Virginia, refer to the state reciprocity information or contact the Department of Education in each state.As a Lynchburg interdisciplinary MEd student, you'll:
Graduate Tuition
Below is an overview of the cost of the program:
The 40% Aspiring Educator Discount applies to all emphasis areas and is available to all current and aspiring educators and paraprofessionals pursuing a Master of Education (MEd) degree.
Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies (MEd)
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Credit Hours: 36
-
Estimated Cost of Completion: $21,240
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Cost Per Credit Hour: $354 (With 40% Tuition Discount)
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Estimated Cost of Completion: $12,744 (With 40% Tuition Discount)
