BACHELOR OF INTEGRATED STUDIES

Philosophy

The program for the degree Bachelor of Integrated Studies is designed to provide an alternative to conventional degree programs and majors. It provides the mature student an opportunity to design a program of study along the lines of his/her individual interests without necessarily preparing for employment or admission to a graduate or professional school. Although there may be cases wherein an individually designed program may effectively prepare the student for employment or further study, there is no pre-supposed institutional endorsement or recommendation as there is for students who successfully complete institutionally designed programs.

Status

The student must be in good academic standing. A student on "academic probation" may be admitted; however, if the student is subject to "required withdrawal" for academic reasons, admission to the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program must be recommended by a majority vote of a reinstatement committee.

Requirements

Requirements for the Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree are as follows:

1. The student must complete at least 124 semester hours of credit in courses numbered 100 or above. These 124 hours may include a maximum of four hours in physical activity courses unless additional such credit is a part of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree program.

2. The student must complete the general education program.

3. The student must complete a program of study, comprising a minimum of 24 semester hours, designed specifically to serve the individual educational needs of the student. This program must be one of the following types:

a. General Studies - A program designed to satisfy the cultural interests of the student who does not intend to prepare for employment or further study in a field designed to lead to employment. Programs of this type include, but are not necessarily limited to, a wide variety of multi-disciplinary studies. Courses comprising this type of program must be in addition to those taken to satisfy the general education program.

b. Career-Oriented Studies - A program designed to prepare the student for employment, including self-employment, for which preparation is required which cannot be obtained from traditional college majors. Courses comprising the program may be from any school/college or division of the university.

4. At least 40 hours of credit must be earned in courses numbered 300 or above.

5. The student must have a grade point average of at least a 2.00 in all college work attempted. The student must also have a GPA of 2.00 in all work taken at Emporia State University.

6. At least 60 hours must be completed at a four-year college or university.

7. No more than 25 percent (31 hours) of the total program may be taken in The School of Business.

8. The student must pass competency examinations in reading, writing, and mathematics during the junior year or beyond.

9. The student must earn a total of 75 hours of resident credit of which six must be within the final 12 hours, or earn 30 of the final 45 hours in residence of which six of the final 12 must be in residence.

Majors and Minors

No conventional majors or minors are required. Although some students may concentrate much of their work in a given field, this work will not be viewed as a major because the student, rather than the division offering the work, will propose the exact makeup of the program of study.

Procedure

The student must make application for entry into the program with the director of the Student Advising Center. If admitted, an appropriate advisor will be assigned. An interview with the director of career development and placement services is required before the student can be admitted to the program.

The student must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours after making application for entry into the program or submit an application for approval of the degree program of study at least one year prior to the date of graduation. Later admission may be granted provided the student's advisor and the director of the Student Advising Center agree the work previously completed is a legitimate part of the 24-hour Bachelor of Integrated Studies program.

In the broadest sense, the procedures to be followed in program design and approval include these:

1. The student must schedule an interview with the director of the Student Advising Center and make application for approval of a program study.

2. The student must schedule an interview with the director of Career Development and Placement Services.

3. The student's application will be reviewed and, if the student's goals and proposed program are considered in keeping with the purpose of the degree, the application will be approved and an advisor or advisors appointed. A list of faculty interested in advising students in this program will be provided in consultation with the director of the Student Advising Center.

4. The student will work with the advisor in the development of a final plan of study. Any changes in that program must be approved by the advisor. This plan is submitted for final approval to the director of the Student Advising Center and the student is considered to be qualified for the degree upon satisfactory completion of that plan.

The criteria for the approval of a program are identified in the following broad terms:

a. The student must demonstrate that his or her goals are such that they can be reasonably served by higher education in general, and Emporia State University specifically.

b. The student must demonstrate that he or she has valid reasons for wishing to culminate college study in a degree.

c. The student must demonstrate that existing and conventional degree programs would not satisfy his or her needs or would constitute a deterrent to the eventual realization of the individual's goals.

The student should contact the director of the Student Advising Center, 620-341-5421, for additional information requirements and/or procedures.

 

Last Updated November 12, 2008