Boise State IPS Graduate Shares How Online Degree Changed His Life

Rob Libby, a 58-year-old senior systems analyst, completed two degrees and four professional certificates through Boise State's online Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Boise State University's online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program enabled Rob Libby, a 58-year-old senior systems analyst, to complete not one, but two degrees, alongside four professional certificates. The program's flexibility and interdisciplinary nature broadened his academic horizons, allowing him to explore interests in innovation, design, health, wellness, design thinking, artificial intelligence, and political science.

Why it matters

The online format of the IPS program proved crucial to Libby's success, as it allowed him to create distinct work and study spaces within his home, physically separating his professional and academic lives. This separation helped him maintain focus and avoid burnout. The program's interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on emotional intelligence, wellness, and design thinking also had a profound impact on Libby, giving him new perspectives and language to understand his past experiences.

The details

Libby initially viewed the IPS program as a pragmatic solution to complete his degree, but the program's flexibility and interdisciplinary nature quickly broadened his academic horizons. He focused on innovation and design, but also explored interests in health and wellness, design thinking, artificial intelligence, and political science. During his time at Boise State, Libby consistently pursued and earned certificates, averaging nearly one per semester, including credentials in Design Thinking, Applied Emotional Intelligence, and AI for All.

  • Libby initially attended the College of Southern Idaho in 1991 after serving eleven years in the United States Army.
  • Libby transferred in all of his first two years of core classes and decided to pursue a degree at Boise State.
  • Libby is already considering his next academic step: a master's degree in educational technology, with plans to begin in the summer or fall.

The players

Rob Libby

A 58-year-old senior systems analyst within Boise State's extended studies program who completed two degrees and four professional certificates through the university's online Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program.

Catherine Libby

Rob Libby's wife, with whom he raised five children.

Boise State University

The university that offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program that enabled Rob Libby to complete his degrees and certificates.

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What they’re saying

“It seemed to be that catch-all degree – just to get it done.”

— Rob Libby (world-today-news.com)

“I have two offices at home. I was in my downstairs office for work. I would leave at 5 o'clock and go upstairs to my school office. It worked out well. It was really manageable once I discovered I needed to switch physical locations at home.”

— Rob Libby (world-today-news.com)

“Anything related to emotional intelligence, wellness, design thinking…was all eye-opening at 58 years old. It gave me the language to understand what had been happening in the past.”

— Rob Libby (world-today-news.com)

“Taking the time to stop and grab a look at what you're doing and why you're doing it was a bigger takeaway for me than for most people.”

— Rob Libby (world-today-news.com)

“Definitely meet with those advisors and listen to them. The interdisciplinary studies program is 100% valuable.”

— Rob Libby (world-today-news.com)

What’s next

Libby is already considering his next academic step: a master's degree in educational technology, with plans to begin in the summer or fall.

The takeaway

Boise State's online Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program provided a flexible and transformative educational experience for Rob Libby, enabling him to complete two degrees and four professional certificates while exploring a wide range of academic interests and developing new perspectives on life and learning.