Integrated Studies, B.I.S.
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Bachelor of Integrated Studies, offered by the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, is a flexible option for adult students to earn or complete an undergraduate degree. This online program gives you the ability to build your own degree, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to reach your personal and professional goals. Whether you're looking to advance your career or prepare for graduate school, our program is here to support you.
Cost:
$477 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
40 Courses / 120 credit hours (Specific number of courses varies student by student)
Duration:
Dependent on transfer credit and enrollment type
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Integrated Studies program exists to help returning college students complete their degrees. This degree is personalized based on the number of credits you have and your own academic goals. Our advisors are here to help you through the transfer process one-on-one and keep you on the right track. This program is accessible, responsive, and purpose-built with the flexibility to earn your bachelor's degree on your own time.
Create Your Own Path
- Flexible Learning: Pursue your degree online, at your own pace and complete assigned work when your schedule allows.
- Credit for Experience: You may be eligible for college credit based on your previous education from WVU or another institution, professional and military experiences.
- Customizable Path: Combine your previously earned credits, online classes, and a portfolio of real-world experience.
- Supportive Environment: Our advisors are incredibly knowledgable and are excited to help you create a plan that works best for you.
Curriculum
This program allows you to apply previously earned credits to help you in the completion of your degree. The number of courses required vary from person to person. This program offers flexibility to choose courses, both upper and lower level, that you want to take.
The B.I.S. degree offers a unique opportunity of F-forgiveness to students enrolled in the program. Thus, should students join the B.I.S. program and benefit from the F-Forgiveness policy but later elect to transfer to another program, then all Fs that were forgiven will be re-instituted.
As a result of completing a B.I.S degree, you will be able to:
- Connect experience that occurs outside the classroom with academic studies to explain,
present, and write about complex issues.
- Ask meaningful questions about complex topics, as well as evaluate multiple sources
of knowledge relevant to complex topics.
- Develop intellectual and practical skills, including inquiry and analysis as well
as critical and creative thinking, to develop foundations and skills for employment,
graduate-level coursework and lifelong learning.
-
Write and present orally adaptable to a variety of contexts with a clear sense of purpose, audience, and conventions.
- Engage in reflection and self-assessment by building on prior experiences to respond to new and challenging contexts.
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.
- Writing and Communication Skills Requirements: Students in the BIS fulfill the Writing and Communication Skills requirement by completing ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 (or ENGL 103), and two additional SpeakWrite Certified Courses™.
- Calculation of Major GPA: 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
- GEF Requirements, 37 credit hours
- GEF Requirements: credits may vary depending on overlap
- Core Coursework, 6 credit hours
- MDS 289: Foundations of Integrated Studies
- MDS 301: Integrative Writing
- Additional Upper-Division Courses, 21 courses
- Select any courses at the 300 or 400 level.
- Capstone, 3 credit hours
- MDS 401: Capstone
- General Electives, 53 credit hours
- Number of electives will vary based on GEF.
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
- First Time Freshmen are able to be admitted to the major once they are at least two years beyond high school graduation.
- Students transferring from another WVU major or from another institution must have at least 12 in progress credit hours or be two years beyond high school graduation to be admitted.
- Students should have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 after F-Forgiveness has been applied. Students who believe they may qualify for F-Forgiveness should meet with an advisor.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU), or
high school transcripts if fewer than 24 college credits be sent to:
- WVU Office of Admissions P.O. Box 6009 Morgantown, WV 26506-6009 OR
- Email: WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with Our Team
Nick Sano-Franchini Program Manager and Senior Academic Advisor
(304) 293-3902 dominic.sanofranchini@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
A Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree allows for the flexibility to choose your own courses, meaning you can make this program work for you and your personal career goals. That versitility means you will be equipped for a wide range of career paths.
Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Consultant
- Project Manager
- Academic Advisor
- Communications Specialist
- Data Analyst