Integrated Studies, B.I.S. < West Virginia University

Degree Offered

Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Nature of the Program

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies allows flexible learning options with the integrative coursework, aligned with a student’s future professional and academic goals and interests. It may also utilize credit for prior learning. The major focuses on communications and integrative skills that prepare graduates for future employment or continuing education.

Career Opportunities

Rapidly advancing technologies continue to change the skillset a student needs in order to succeed in the future workplace. Many employers desire graduates who have the skills of communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. These skills are reinforced by the BIS degree and integrative and interdisciplinary curriculum. Not only does the interdisciplinary underpinning the BIS help foster the ability to deal with the complexity and ambiguity inherent in an ever-changing work environment, it can also orient the students towards the lifelong learning that will allow them to continue to be agile in evolving work environments. The BIS also addresses the immediate needs exposed by the COVID-19 epidemic by helping students foster a sense of purpose that can leverage technological transformation to address societal changes. Students will need to be better aligned with the human needs that attend technological disruption, and using the core of flexible communication skills and interdisciplinary approaches, BIS students can be better prepared to enter a digital workplace with an increasing imperative to be one of purpose.

Bachelor of Integrative Studies graduates are prepared for occupations ranging from customer-related area business, Human Resources and similar fields, education, healthcare, government, and other careers, as well as moving on to graduate school.

Admissions

Students must have 12 in-process credits at WVU, WVU Potomac State, or WVU Tech, or can be directly admitted two years out of high school, or two years from when the student's high school class would have graduated (to accommodate GED applicants).

First time students are not admitted directly to the major unless they are at least two years beyond high school graduation.
Students who wish to transfer from another WVU major must have a minimum of 12 in process credit hours at WVU or be at least two years beyond high school graduation. Students should have a GPA of at least 2.0 after F-Forgiveness has been applied. If you think you are qualified for F-Forgiveness, please meet with an adviser.
Students wishing to transfer from outside of WVU must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 after F-Forgiveness has been applied. They must also have 12 college credits or be at least two years beyond high school graduation. If you think you are qualified for F-Forgiveness, please meet with an adviser.

General Education Foundations

Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.

NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
General Education Foundations
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric		3-6
ENGL 101 & ENGL 102	Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research
or ENGL 103	Accelerated Academic Writing
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology		4-6
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning		3-4
F4 - Society & Connections		3
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past		3
F6 - The Arts & Creativity		3
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity		3
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree)		9
Total Hours		31-37

Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.

Degree Requirements

Student must complete the WVU General Education Foundations requirements, major requirements, and electives to total a minimum of 120 hours.

Departmental Requirements for the Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Capstone Requirement: The university requires the successful completion of a Capstone course. BIS majors must complete MDS 401.
Calculation of the GPA in the Major: A minimum GPA of a 2.0 is required in all courses applied to major requirements. If a course is repeated, all attempts will be included in the calculation of the GPA, unless the course is eligible for a D/F repeat.
Academic Policies: The BIS degree offers special academic policies, as approved by the University. Please see the Admissions and Performance Standards tabs.
Credit for Prior Learning: Eligible students may acquire college credit for professional, volunteer, and military experiences in select areas via the many credit for prior learning options available to BIS majors. These opportunities provide many students with a time efficient and cost effective avenue to obtain a degree. The BIS program allows adult learners to earn College Equivalent Credits (CECs) for work/career, life, and other academic experiences. If successful, awarded credits could help meet graduation requirements while reducing the overall costs of their college experience. Students are not being given credits for the years of service in their respective fields. Rather, they are being given credits based on their ability to articulate how their varied career experiences may have helped them to acquire equivalent or similar knowledge that they would have otherwise acquired in the classroom.
Second Degree: Students who are completing another degree may not complete the BIS. Similarly, second-degree seeking students will not be accepted in the BIS program.
Minors: Although the completion of a minor is not required, students may use their General Elective hours to complete one or more minors.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
GEF Requirements		37
GEF Requirements: credits may vary depending on overlap
Core Coursework		6
MDS 289	Foundations of Integrated Studies
MDS 301	Integrative Writing
Additional Upper-Division Courses		21
Select any courses at the 300 or 400 level.
Capstone		3
MDS 401	Capstone
General Electives		53
Number of electives will vary based on GEF.
Total Hours		120

Business Administration Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
15 credits of upper-level (300 and 400-level) BUSA and/or BTEC coursework.		15
Total Hours		15

Criminal Justice Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
15 credits of upper-level (300 and 400-level) CJ courses required.		15
Total Hours		15

Policies

F forgiveness: Any F earned prior to admission to the BIS degree may be excluded from GPA calculation. Students can apply for Academic Forgiveness to the Program Director; final approval from the Dean is necessary. Once the Academic Forgiveness has been applied, students must graduate from the BIS.

Residence rule: A minimum of 12 credits must be taken in residence at WVU (face-to-face or online), to include RBA 401 (Capstone), for completion of the BIS.

Credit for prior learning: Eligible students may acquire college credit for professional, volunteer, and military experiences in select areas via the many credit for prior learning options available through the BIS major. These opportunities provide many students with a time efficient and cost-effective avenue to obtain an undergraduate degree. Students who qualify should discuss this option with their academic advisor.

Major Learning Outcomes