Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
The SUU Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) allows students to customize and develop a unique program of study that integrates coursework from different disciplines. It provides students with an interdisciplinary and intentional educational experience directly connected to their specific interests and career goals.
College: Humanities & Social Sciences
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies
Admissions
Program Options
A student chooses two or three disciplines and constructs, under advisor supervision, a personalized program of study. Programs of study need to be approved by the academic coordinator within the BIS program, department chair, and dean.
In both Option 1 and Option 2, students must meet the following requirements:
- Students also take a common core of courses (4 credits) to facilitate integration.
- INDS 2000 - Foundation of Interdisciplinary Studies
- INDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Research Methods
- INDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Capstone and Portfolio
- Total required credits: 46 with a minimum of 36 upper division (3 in the common core.)
- Students must complete all General Education and other SUU requirements.
- Students must complete a total of 120 credits, including 40 upper-division (3000 or higher) credits. Upper-division credits include the minimum 30 upper-division credits from disciplines and 3 upper-division INDS credits.
- A minimum of C- is required for any course counted toward the major.
- No pass/fail course may be used toward the BIS degree without prior approval.
2 disciplines: 21 credits in each, 15 must be upper-division credits in each discipline.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Common Core (Required for all BIS students) | ||
| INDS 2000 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 1 |
| INDS 3000 | Interdisciplinary Studies Research Methods | 2 |
| INDS 4000 | Interdisciplinary Studies Research Methods | 1 |
| Total Credits for Common Core | 4 | |
| Discipline 1: Criminal Justice | ||
| CJ 1010 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 1330 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 3020 | Criminal Justice Management | 3 |
| CJ 3270 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CJ 3300 | Victimology | 3 |
| CJ 3320 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJ 4700 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| Total Credits for Discipline 1 | 21 | |
| Discipline 2: Political Science | ||
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLS 2300 | Introduction to Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 3010 | Current Political Issues | 3 |
| POLS 3020 | Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 3120 | Courts | 3 |
| POLS 3130 | American Legislative Process and Behavior | 3 |
| POLS 3510 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| Total Credits for Discipline 2 | 21 | |
| Total Credits for Sample Program | 54 Credits | |
3 disciplines: 15 credits in the first two tracks each, 9 must be upper-division credits in two disciplines, and 12 upper-division credits in the third discipline.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Common Core (Required for all BIS students) | ||
| INDS 2000 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 1 |
| INDS 3000 | Interdisciplinary Studies Research Methods | 2 |
| INDS 4000 | Interdisciplinary Studies Research Methods | 1 |
| Total Credits for Common Core | 4 | |
| Discipline 1: Family Life & Human Development | ||
| FLHD 1500 | Human Development through the Lifespan | 3 |
| FLHD 2700 | Consumerism and Family Finance in American Society | 3 |
| FLHD 3200 | Child Development: Infancy through Twelve | 3 |
| FLHD 3300 | Family Processes and Theory | 3 |
| FLHD 4100 | Family Problems and Solutions | 3 |
| Total Credits for Discipline 1 | 15 | |
| Discipline 2: Nutrition | ||
| NFS 1020 | Scientific Foundations of Human Nutrition | 3 |
| NFS 2020 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| NFS 3040 | Nutrition Assessment | 3 |
| NFS 4040 | Nutrition Communication and Counseling | 3 |
| NFS 4480 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| Total Credits for Discipline 2 | 15 | |
| Discipline 3: Spanish | ||
| SPAN 3000 | Spanish Proficiency Development | 3 |
| SPAN 3210 | Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 4400 | Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 4510 | Introduction to Spanish Translation | 3 |
| Total Credits for Discipline 3 | 12 | |
| Total Credits for Sample Program | 51 Credits | |
Career Outlook
Customization
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) is a rigorous degree that allows students to customize and develop a program of study to integrate interests from different disciplines.
Choose Your Path
With an ever-changing job market, combining multiple disciplines allows students to set themselves up for a variety of industries.
Three Reasons Why You Should Major in Interdisciplinary Studies
Successful Alumni
Our BIS majors have been valedictorians and experienced global education. BIS alumni have moved on to a variety of successful careers.