Director: Dr. Sophia Rammell

Individualized Studies Description

The Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) degree program at Minot State University offers students an opportunity to design their own major. It is intended for students whose academic needs and career goals cannot be adequately met through existing MSU majors/minors. Students pursuing the BIS degree develop an Academic Plan that draws upon courses largely from two or three disciplines. It is a thoughtfully crafted academic program in which each course serves some clear role in the overall program, contributing to the goals and learning needs of the student.

Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Goals	Student Learning Outcomes
The graduate will possess a well-rounded and comprehensive knowledge base in two or three content areas that are integrated in a way that meets her or his career goals.	The candidate will intentionally integrate knowledge from two to three academic disciplines in a way that is driven by their unique interests or career goals.
	The candidate will apply knowledge and skills of their unique areas of study in an interdisciplinary capstone project.
	The candidate will utilize professional written and oral communication skills.
	The candidate will describe how the knowledge and competencies gained through the BIS program contributes to success in the workplace or graduate school.

Bachelor of Individualized Studies 

General Education (Core and Foundational Requirements)		37-38
Individualized Studies Core:		6-8
IDS 240	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	2
IDS 360	Directed Project	2-4
IDS 480	Senior Capstone	2
Individualized Studies Academic Plan:		56
Electives:		18-21
Total Hours		123-131

There are some specific requirements and restrictions that should be kept in mind when developing an Academic Plan for the BIS program:

• Student program should consist of the Individualized Studies Core (6 cr. min) and at least 56 credits in an Academic Plan drawn largely from two or three disciplines (focus areas).
• Academic Plan should include at least 22 credits each from two disciplines or 15 credits each from three disciplines (exceptions to this are possible if thoroughly justified in the proposal).
• Student's proposal must explain in detail why their goals cannot be met through existing MSU programs – proposed plans that are very close to meeting existing major/minor requirements will not be approved.
• Necessary prerequisite courses must be included in the program or among student's General Education courses (or student must obtain a written waiver for approval to take a course without the prerequisite).
• The Academic Plan focus area courses must include at least 36 upper-level (300- and 400-level) credits excluding IDS 360 and IDS 480.
• The Academic Plan focus area courses may not include courses used to meet the General Education Required Core or Foundational Content requirements.
• The Academic Plan may include courses used to meet the General Education Developmental Content requirements.
• Students earning the BIS degree may not earn another degree/major, minor, or concentration that overlaps with focus area coursework in their BIS Academic Plan.
• At least 30 credits in the Academic Plan should be coursework not yet completed (after the term in which the proposal is approved).