Bachelor of Independent Studies
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A Bachelor of Independent Studies is an undergraduate academic degree. Its program of studies is unique to each student, and the individual curricula are largely determined by each student. It may focus in any field, and generally has two phases: a pre-thesis phase, in which the student takes courses or reading courses, and a thesis phase, in which the student completes a substantial thesis. A similarly name Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies is also awarded by some universities. The degree can be considered akin to a degree in general studies and is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The Bachelor of Independent Studies targets adult learners previously unable to complete their educational pursuits, through transfer credit options and interdisciplinary concentrations tailored to each student[1].
While it is an undergraduate degree, it is far more akin in structure to a graduate degree. The state of Florida has developed an external degree program for the BIS degree; Florida International University [2], Florida State University[3], the University of Florida[4], the University of North Florida[5], and the University of South Florida[6] all participate. In Kentucky, Murray State University[7] now offers a BIS program as well. Several other colleges are beginning to offer degrees that are very similar to or identical with the BIS program, such as the University of Northern Iowa and its Bachelor of Liberal Studies[8] program, or Brigham Young University's Bachelor of General Studies[9] program. George Mason University's BIS degree includes Early Childhood Education and calls it the Bachelor of Individualized Studies[10].
List of institutions awarding Bachelor of Independent Studies degrees
- George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia[11]
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada This degree was inactivated in September, 2016, after being offered for 30 years, due to a decline in demand for the degree option.[12]
- James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia[13]
- Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky[14]
- University of South Florida, Tampa Bay, Florida[15]
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico[16]
- Weber State University, Ogden, Utah[17]
- Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey[18]
- Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pennsylvania[19]
List of institutions awarding Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degrees
- Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia[20]
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona[21]
- Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas[22]
- Jones College, Jacksonville, Florida[23]
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana[24]
- Missouri Western State University, Saint Joseph, Missouri[25]
- University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana[26]
- University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama[27]
- UNC Pembroke, North Carolina[28]
- University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama[29]
- University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi[30]
- Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana[31]
- Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah[32]
- Stevenson University, Owings Mills, Maryland[33]
- Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky[34]
- Winston Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina[35]
References
- ^ "Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)". George Mason University. George Mason University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "BA in Interdisciplinary Studies". Florida International University. Digital Communications. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies". Florida State University. The Florida State University. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies". University of Florida. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ "Major: Interdisciplinary Studies". University of North Florida. University of North Florida. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of General Studies". University of South Florida. University of South Florida.
- ^ "Integrated Studies". Murray State University. Murray State University Department of Web Management. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS)". University of Northern Iowa. Continuing Education & Special Programs. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "BYU Bachelor of General Studies". BYU Continuing Education. Brigham Young University. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)". George Mason University. George Mason University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)". George Mason University. George Mason University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ https://uwaterloo.ca/daily-bulletin/2016-09-13#independent-studies-program-closes-after-30-years
- ^ "Adult Degree Program". James Madison University. James Madison University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Integrated Studies". Murray State University. Murray State University Department of Web Management. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of General Studies". University of South Florida. University of South Florida.
- ^ "Individualized Studies - Bachelor of Individualized Studies". New Mexico State University. New Mexico State University.
- ^ "Bachelor of Integrated Studies". Weber State University. Weber State University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Arts Degree Completion Program". Fairleigh Dickinson University. Fairleigh Dickinson University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Majors, Minors and Programs". Edinboro University. Edinboro University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies". Georgia State University. Georgia State University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies (BA)". Arizona State University, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. cisa.asu.edu. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies". Emporia State University. Emporia State University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies". Bob Jones University. Bob Jones University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies Major". Louisiana State University. Louisiana State University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies". Missouri Western State University. Missouri Western State University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies". The University of New Orleans. The University of New Orleans. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Department of Interdisciplinary and Professional Studies". University of North Alabama. University of North Alabama. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies". The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies (BSBA)". University of South Alabama. University of South Alabama. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development (BSBA)". The University of Southern Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies". Southern University. Southern University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) at SUU". Southern Utah University. Southern Utah University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies". Stevenson University. Stevenson University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies". Western Kentucky University. Western Kentucky University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ "Major (BIS)". Winston Salem State University. Winston Salem State University. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
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