University Requirements

• General Education  Credit Hours: 31
• G.P.A. requirement 2.0 is required. Developmental studies courses do not count toward degree completion. They do count toward the G.P.A. Required overall credit hours Credit Hours: 120
• Service Learning Credit Hours: 3
• Writing Intensive Credit Hours: 9

Degree Requirements

Upper Division Courses (300-400 level). Students must pass 42 credit hours with a “C” or better. Six hours of upper level courses with a “D” may count toward the degree.

Entrance and Exit Requirements (contact the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies for detailed guidelines for these requirements)

1. Entrance Requirement: Statement of Purpose at the time of declaration of major
2. Required “concentrations” within the upper division credits
   This degree is intended to offer students both breadth (general education and range of upper division) and depth (upper division hours) in their studies.
   Students will be given options to achieve depth in their upper division credits
   Students will select ONE from the following options:
   1. Interdisciplinary Focus - 2 concentrations: 9-18 credits in two academic disciplines, with 24 credits required across the two disciplines
   2. Interdisciplinary Focus - 3-4 concentrations: 6-9 credits in 3-4 academic disciplines, with 24 credits required across those disciplines
   3. Minor Option: Students will have to complete a WNMU minor or contract minor centered around a clearly articulated theme and outlined degree plan
   4. Petition for an exception with detailed description of upper division credits taken and explanation of their “fit” for the individual student’s learning objectives. This option might be appropriate for students coming to the degree after having already accumulated a large number of upper division hours (without prior approval of a contract minor).
3. Exit Requirement
   Students are required to complete an “Exit Essay” for this degree program. This includes a self-assessment portfolio of learning and goals. Students are asked to reflect, in a typed, six-page essay, on the following elements:
   1. General Education Core Requirements - how did taking these courses benefit you and how did they help to increase your awareness of personal interests?
   2. Upper division hours & concentration(s) within those hours - what courses did you take as part of the upper-division credit hour requirement. How did these courses fit together to form your concentrations, minor, or contract minor? Why did you make those choices? This section must include reflection on the interdisciplinary or customized nature of the student’s degree plan.
   3. Future Directions (or current pursuits) - now that you are completing this B.I.S degree, what are your personal, professional and educational intentions? How did this degree serve you in working toward those goals?
      
      Further, students are asked to include sample items that help to document their learning and goals, with specific emphasis on the interdisciplinary focus of their degree program. For example, they might include syllabi, papers, an updated resume, and applications to jobs or programs. Detailed guidance on completion of this requirement is provided by the Interdisciplinary Studies Department.
      
      Students are asked to complete this reflection on learning and growth in their last semester or in the semester in which they intend to graduate with the B.I.S degree. The exit project will be graded on a pass/fail basis by the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies and other faculty as necessary.
      
      There are several intentions behind this exit requirement. First, the reflection on degree completion is intended to help students feel a sense of closure and accomplishment as they prepare for graduation. Finally, the reflection on future directions is intended to help students consider their future, and how their education and possible extension of their professional growth in the workplace or through continued education will benefit their personal and professional goals.