BA Interdisciplinary Studies

Bachelor of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)

Leads to teacher licensure

Degree Overview

Our online elementary education degree will put you in the classroom of your dreams. The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) will teach you the content knowledge and teaching skills necessary to become a certified elementary school teacher. You will become a highly qualified teacher ready to make a difference in a child’s life.

Who the program is for:

• Unlicensed substitute teachers, career changers, retired military personnel, school paraprofessionals, and others who feel the call to teach.

Note: WGU is the first exclusively online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure, a testament to the fact that WGU graduates "have the knowledge and skills to be effective in helping all students learn."

This program will be flexible and adaptable to your schedule. Click here to learn more about how your program works.

What You’ll Learn -- Areas of Study:

In this online elementary education degree program, you’ll learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed. This program includes five domains of study, supervised practice teaching in an actual classroom, and completion of a professional portfolio.

• Effective Teaching Practices (Elementary Education)
• Foundations
• Foundations of Teaching
• General Education
• Demonstration Teaching (includes practice teaching)

Total Program: 122 Competency Units (credit equivalents)
Less: Any competency units waived through transfer of prior college credits.

Note: Your prior college experience may waive some degree requirements.

More details about your challenging course of study

View the Program Guide (PDF)

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.

• Will I practice teach?
• How will I complete my degree?
• Is financial aid available?

Will I practice teach?

Yes, all WGU teacher licensure programs include practice teaching in real classrooms. This is part of your Demonstration Teaching domain of study. This is obviously not an online portion of your degree program. Exactly how your practice teaching occurs will depend on the specific school district in which you teach. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this in more detail.

How will I complete my degree?

As a WGU student, you take and complete assessments. You’ll prepare for your assessments by engaging various learning resources including textbooks, web tutorials, and courses. You will determine what learning resources are best for you in consultation with your mentor using your personalized Degree Plan. You can learn more by exploring the WGU Experience. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this program in greater depth.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, WGU offers federal financial aid. Loans are available to most students, regardless of financial need. Grants that don’t require repayment are also available for those with financial need. You can check into your financial aid eligibility at any time during the admissions process. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to learn more or visit the Financial Aid section of the website.