Specialized Studies Major (B.I.S.) | Ohio University (2024)

The Specialized Studies (B.I.S.) program allows students to create a faculty-approved, individualized, multidisciplinary degree program tailored to their individual academic interests and/or career needs. In conjunction with faculty and staff, students design an Area of Concentration that stands as the equivalent of pre-established major.

The Specialized Studies programis appropriate if you would like to combine courses from different academic departments to create a unique major, or if you have interests and career goals not met by a current Ohio University major.

The Specialized Studies programis not an appropriate degree program for someone who has previously completed a bachelor's degree. In special circ*mstances, a person who has completed a prior bachelor's degree may petition the director of degree programs to seek permission to apply for and complete the B.I.S. degree. The Specialized Studiesmajor cannot be completed as a second major program of study. Nor can a student declare a double major with the B.I.S. degree.

The Specialized Studiesprogram is available on all Ohio University campuses and online.

*This program was previously BS1112which awarded the Bachelor of Specialized Studies degree. Pending Board of Trustees approval (anticipated June 2024), the new program codewill be BI1118and will award the Bachelor of Integrative Studiesdegree effectivethe 2024-25 catalog year.

Freshman/First-Year Admission

New students may enter OHIO as a Pre-Specialized Studies(ND1112) major. Once attending, new pre-Specialized Studiesfirst-year students are encouraged to become oriented to the Specialized Studies program and regularly meet with their advisor to develop their proposal throughout their first year.

Currently registered, degree seeking students may apply to the Specialized Studies program as early as the term in which they anticipate reaching sophom*ore rank (at least 30 semester hours earned) and will have attained a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA.

Change of Program Policy

Students may declare pre-Specialized Studies. as a major. Declaring a pre-Specialized Studies. major does not remove a student's current major. However, after the student officially applies to the Specialized Studiesprogram with a proposed curriculum, the student's previous major will be removed once the individualized major program is approved.

To declare the pre-Specialized Studies major, students shall connect with a Specialized Studies academic advisor on their campus (OHIO online students remain with their academic advisor). Please call 740-593-1935 for assistance in identifying an appropriate advisor for a campus. Set up a meeting with the academic advisor to become oriented and begin collaborating on a Specialized Studies proposal. Students should expect to regularly meet with their Specialized Studiesadvisor 3-5 times once a rough draft of the proposed program is established to prepare the proposal for faculty partnership and formal review for admission to theprogram. Alternately, pre-Specialized Studiesstudents may enroll in UC 2610 - General Studies Seminarto develop their proposal.

Students should formally submit their proposals to establish residency for that term no later than the deadline of one month and one day prior to the last day of the term. Proposals will be reviewed by thereview committee each term on a rolling basis from weeks 1 through 11 during fall and spring. Approved students will begin their residency the semester in which the complete and authorized application proposal was submitted, so long as it was submitted by the stated application deadline.

External Transfer Admission

Students who have transferred from another institution may apply to the Specialized Studies major following the application procedure described above. The Specialized Studies program can be a very good option for transfer students, as transfer work accepted by Ohio University can be used to help meet requirements for the degree, including the Area of Concentration. Transfer students should be aware of theResidency Requirement (hours completed as a Specialized Studiesmajor) of 30 hours, as well as the 39 hours required at the 3000-/4000-level. Also, transfer students are required to complete at least 32 semester hours through Ohio University to receive a bachelor's degree from Ohio University, and at least 50 percent of the major (Area of Concentration) must be completed through OHIO. Transfer students may begin working with theiradvisor prior to enrollment OR enroll in UC 2610to develop their proposal.