The Bachelor of Integrative Studies (BIS) degree is a university-wide degree program that enables you to custom design your own plan of study integrating coursework from multiple disciplines to prepare you for professional and career goals in a world that increasingly bridges academic disciplines. Unique Characteristics: The BIS program is unique within the university because, with approval of a BIS adviser, a faculty mentor, and the BIS Faculty Admissions Committee, the students are presented with an opportunity to design their own programs of study. Advising and Plan Design: The process begins with the student and one of our BIS advisers who together review prior coursework and in tandem with the student’s goals and plans, help the student design their individualized study plan, utilizing relevant courses from a variety of academic departments. The plan of study constitutes the student’s individualized major, utilizing course work from a variety of disciplines that may include one or more minors or concentrations. While the number of planned credits varies depending on each student’s prior progress towards graduation, a minimum of 28 credits must be included in the planned portion of the program. Next steps: After creating the plan of study, the student completes the application questionnaire (rationale) explaining their preference for a BIS degree as well as their choice of courses included in their study plan. Upon completion, a faculty mentor who specializes in the student’s planned areas of focus reviews and clarifies the plan in conjunction with the student’s goals. A mentor’s signature indicates approval of the plan and rationale. Once the signed plan, questionnaire, and any related minor or concentration forms are returned to our office, the application is submitted for the next possible application deadline to the Faculty Admissions Committee for final approval and signature. "Two-plus-two" has been an integral component of the BIS program since it began. Although credits transferring from other institutions usually are evaluated according to the university’s transfer policies on a course-by-course basis, some students transferring from community colleges may have their course work evaluated under a two-plus-two plan. The two-plus-two part of the program provides for transfer of up to 62 semester credits from accredited two-year community colleges in Michigan. Students with associate degrees in any area (except nursing) may qualify for the two-plus-two aspect of the BIS program. Holders of associate degrees in nursing are subject to a course-by-course evaluation. The program requires that courses accepted for transfer under two-plus-two must have a grade of C or above, that at least 12 semester credits have been earned in liberal arts courses, and that all course work being transferred has been taken at accredited institutions. The two-plus-two transfer component for BIS students has been further clarified through articulation agreements with several neighboring community colleges. Goal and Mission: The program began in 1975 as part of the University Center for General and Career Studies. In the Fall of 2007 the program's name was changed to the Bachelor of Integrative Studies, and while the name changed the mission remained the same. The program is unique within the university because the students are presented with an opportunity to design their own programs of study. Since its inception, students have been required to submit a written plan of study with a written rationale to substantiate educational goals from across numerous disciplines. The program weaves flexibility and decision making into an opportunity for students to achieve unique personal and career goals. Students in the program have clearly identified educational goals and academic needs that can be achieved better through the BIS degree than through a traditional major. The goals of the program are as follows: Offer students with cross-departmental interests the opportunity to develop their own curricular programs. Offer students a baccalaureate program that integrates past course work with present career and personal goals. Prepare students for post-baccalaureate education in cross-departmental fields. Encourage students to take responsibility for educational and career planning. Assist students in educational and personal development. Purpose: The original purpose of the program as outlined in the 1975 enabling legislation was "to enable the university to better respond to the needs (especially, but not exclusively) of its adult, 'nontraditional,' largely evening population." More than 25 years later, the purpose remains essentially the same. The intent is to provide students with decision-making opportunities to design an educational program that is flexible and different from existing majors. The 350+ Integrative Studies students enrolled in each major semester attest to the continuing relevance of the program in addressing the needs of the target population. This program is also relatively consistent with those offered by about 100 other institutions across the country, including several within our state and region.

Bachelor of Integrative Studies Click to learn more PLEASE NOTE: We've moved! Please visit us at our new location, 160 North Foundation Hall The Wall Street Journal touts an integrative studies approach Check out the full article here March 7, 2012 Is the next application due date for admission to major standing for plans of study that include credits from Summer 2012 and forward as part of the minimum 28 credits needed for plan of study. For more information about application deadlines visit the plan of study page. BIS Ranked Third According to a recent study by Oakland University's Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, BIS students have an average composite ACT score of 21.98, making BIS third within the academic divisions. For more information about BIS student success visit the news page.