The Washington State University Graduate School has launched the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (MSIS), a transformational program designed to meet the evolving needs of students, WSU staff seeking to upskill, industry, and society. The MSIS program equips students to synthesize knowledge and draw connections across disciplines as well as to cultivate the analytical and problem-solving abilities essential in modern professional environments.
The MSIS program is a transformational initiative by the Graduate School. It serves multiple stakeholders by offering an opportunity to integrate knowledge across fields to address complex, real-world challenges—while also enabling the creation of unique career pathways. This one-of-a-kind, rigorous program empowers meritorious students to craft customized degrees and problem-specific learning experiences. By leveraging WSU’s extensive resources and capabilities, the program prepares graduates to meet—and evolve and exceed—market demands through innovative, interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Dr. Arvin Sahaym, Director of Interdisciplinary Studies Program
In today’s dynamic landscape, organizations across sectors seek professionals who can connect ideas across domains, think critically about multifaceted problems, and develop innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions. The MSIS program prepares such professionals through a 30-credit curriculum, typically completed in four semesters of full-time study. The program enables students to integrate knowledge from two or more disciplines—creating a distinctive skill set that positions them as invaluable assets in a competitive marketplace. The program offers flexible enrollment options for students looking to advance their careers while continuing their professional roles.
Students in the MSIS program will be mentored by an advisory committee of at least three faculty members from two or more distinct disciplines. Students complete both didactic and hands-on interdisciplinary coursework and produce a culminating thesis that demonstrates their mastery of complex, real-world challenges. The MSIS prepares graduates for diverse careers in industry, government, academia, and the non-profit sector. The program also offers a direct pathway to WSU’s Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program (IIDP), providing both immediate career advancement and long-term academic opportunities.
At WSU, we are continually evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and society. The MSIS program exemplifies that mission by fostering cross-disciplinary thinking and empowering students to design an education that fits their goals and the needs of a rapidly changing world.
Tammy Barry, Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education
With a legacy of over four decades through the IIDP, WSU’s Graduate School brings extensive expertise in fostering interdisciplinary excellence. The MSIS offers students the flexibility to design a customized curriculum that aligns with each student’s unique professional and research interests. Whether combining disciplines such as engineering and business, environmental science and policy, or data science and healthcare, students will develop the analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and multidimensional problem-solving skills that employers across industries actively seek.
“Today’s most valuable employees are those who can continuously learn, connect knowledge across fields, and approach challenges from multiple perspectives,” said Dr. Sahaym quoting the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report” which identifies “active learning and learning strategies” as one of the top skills needed for 2025 and beyond.
The MSIS program is designed to cultivate exactly the kind of leader Edward O. Wilson envisioned, “We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.“
Learn more about the MSIS program at WSU.