Bachelor of Individualized Studies Degree

The bachelor of individualized studies is administered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies as appropriate. Students interested in a B.I.S. program should contact the dean of the college most closely associated with their field of study/interest.

The B.I.S. is intended for undergraduate students who wish to pursue an area of study (or combination of areas) which is not available in other academic programs at Shawnee State. The proposed course of study must not closely parallel programs already offered at the University. The desire to avoid certain specific requirements of existing majors or degree programs is not a sufficient justification for choosing a B.I.S. program.

This degree may be particularly useful to working students taking evening, weekend, or off-campus classes. Also, the B.I.S. may be used to combine the coursework from an associate’s degree program with an area of concentration from another field of study. For example, students completing an associate’s degree in one of the health sciences programs may elect to include an area of concentration in health management or business administration for a B.I.S. degree.

Students planning to pursue graduate or professional school degrees are advised to complete a traditional major at the undergraduate level rather than complete the B.I.S. degree.


Admission to the Bachelor of Individualized Studies

After admission to the University, a student makes an appointment for a conference with an individualized studies advisor. The student makes this appointment by contacting either the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the dean of the College of Professional Studies.

In this conference, the advisor will explore with the student the appropriateness of the bachelor of individualized study given his or her background and academic goals.

To obtain formal admission to the bachelor of individualized studies, the student must
complete an application, which includes the following elements:

• A statement explaining that the student understands the nature and intent of the general studies major
• A statement of plans for future education and employment with the individualized studies major as a foundation
• A statement of the goals the proposed course of study will meet, an appropriately detailed outline of the proposed course of study, and a projected graduation date

The application for admission to the bachelor of individualized study will be reviewed by a three-person faculty advisory committee consisting of the student’s faculty advisor and two faculty appointed by the appropriate college’s dean. If the application and proposed course of study is approved by the advisory committee, these items will be forwarded to the appropriate dean for approval and the registration of these degree requirements by the registrar.

Degree Requirements
The individualized studies major must meet and fulfill university requirements for baccalaureate programs and those requirements specific to this degree.  These include:

• A minimum of 124 semester credit hours, including the General Education Program
• A minimum of 2.00 cumulative grade point average for all courses taken at Shawnee State University
• No more than 8 upper division hours in the individualized/specialized area(s) of study and cognate areas may be transferred in from another accredited university or college.
• The student must complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours at Shawnee State University.  The University’s general policies regarding the transferability of courses from other colleges and universities will apply equally to this major.
• A minimum of 40 credit hours in the individualized/specialized area(s) of study and cognate areas, 24 of which must be at the upper division level (3000-4000 level), as approved by a three-member faculty committee.  The GEP’s requirements of Senior Seminar and Ethics may not count towards the concentration.
• Completion of the specific program of study initially approved by the student’s faculty advisory committee upon admission to the major.  Any subsequent alterations in the program, including course substitutions, must receive the approval of the student’s advisory committee.
• The completion of at least 30 semester credit hours after approval of student’s program.
• Petition for graduation in accordance with the rule prescribed by the University.

Advising
The student pursuing an individualized studies major is encouraged to seek academic advising each semester.