Field of Study
A strong feature of the BIS degree is the flexibility the field of study component offers. Some students build a field of study by following the requirements of a traditional major. This has been done in the field of criminal justice. Others design an interdisciplinary field of study. Students may also build a field that includes the courses required for admission to a master’s degree program. BIS students have done this in psychology, safety, and economics.
The field of study includes a planned academic concentration of 18 hours of course work determined by the student in consultation with the BIS adviser. It also includes 6 hours of research methods courses and a 6-hour senior project, which complete the 30 hour requirement. The field may be interdisciplinary, built on a traditional major or minor, or self-structured. These courses prepare the student for the field of studies project, a senior baccalaureate thesis required of every BIS student.
Note: Students who wish to apply credits for business courses to the BIS degree requirements must consult a BIS adviser to determine whether they must complete the business core. Students who wish to apply more than thirty-two semester hours of business courses to the BIS degree program usually are required to complete the business core.
Field of Study examples
Because BIS programs do not duplicate traditional degree programs, the BIS field of study employs distinctive names, for example:
Agricultural Studies
Applied Science
Arts & Humanities
Commerce & Leadership
Communications
Educational Studies
General Studies
Health Care Administration
Health & Exercise Studies
Human Services
Natural Sciences
Safety Sciences
Social Sciences
For additional information about all of the options available, contact your local adviser today.
