Integrated Studies, B.A.
The integrated studies major is a multi-faceted degree designed by an individual student in collaboration with the designated faculty chair for the program and in consultation with a small faculty committee. This major provides an opportunity for students whose career and/or life aspirations do not fall into one of the traditional degree programs offered at MVNU but can be met by combining multiple areas of study into one strategic personalized degree plan. The program uniquely supports each student's goals while also adhering to MVNU degree requirements and a robust curriculum.
Courses are carefully selected from two to three academic disciplines, providing practical skill development underlaid with discipline specific theory, history, and pertinent application or research methods. The primary content area must include 18 credit hours from a current major and 12 credit hours in each of two secondary content areas (one of which can be associated with the primary content area), as well as a 2-credit ITD-4032 Integrated Studies Capstone course.
The integrated studies major requires a minimum of 44 credit hours in primary and secondary content area coursework and the ITD-4032 Integrated Studies Capstone course in addition to the MVNU general education requirements and any needed elective courses to reach at least 120 total credit hours in order to earn an MVNU bachelor's degree. There must be at least 17 upper division credits within the major and 30 upper division credits within the entire degree.
Application and Acceptance Policies
Application for candidacy for the integrated studies major must be made to the AVP for Student Success and Retention as early as possible with a deadline of at least one semester before graduation. Students will complete an application that includes a full statement of educational and career goals, reasons for why the Integrated Studies major will best prepare them to meet their goals, and a list of the content areas they wish to study with a rationale for those selections.
Upon receipt of the application, the AVP for Student Success and Retention will meet with the student to discuss their application and areas of study and together develop a proposed list of coursework for each content area and a semester-by-semester plan for the major. The AVP for Student Success and Retention, in consultation with the AVP for Academic Affairs, shall select an advisory group consisting of faculty from the applicant's chosen areas of study whose function will be to accept or reject the application and to refine the student's plan.
Once the student has been accepted as a candidate for this major, they will be assigned an advisor and must work very closely with them to complete the program. They may not register for, nor withdraw from, any course without prior advice and approval from their advisor. If substantial changes are needed, the advisor and student will consult the same faculty committee for approval and revision. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Integrated Studies will be awarded to students completing the major.
For more information, including an application for acceptance into this major, contact the AVP for Student Success and Retention.
Content Areas:
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Business
- Christian Ministry
- Education
- Engineering
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Nursing and Health Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
Degree Requirements
Total 46 Hours Minimum