The online Bachelor of Science in Individualized Studies provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary or specialized study in the following focus areas: Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business and Finance, Health and Human Services, Management, Media and Communication, and Public Safety.
Credit Hours: 120 | Transfer: Up to 90 Credits | Tuition Cost
What is Individualized Studies?
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Individualized Studies provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary or specialized study in the following focus areas: Behavioral & Social Sciences, Business & Finance, Health & Human Services, Management, Media & Communication, and Public Safety. A proposal for the major must be submitted to Academic Affairs for approval. You will work with the Program Director for Individualized Studies to ensure that your program meets industry standards and meets all requirements for successful completion of a approved undergraduate degree.
Why study Individualized Studies at UNH College of Professional Studies?
An Individualized Studies degree, also known as an Interdisciplinary Studies degree, offers a customized and flexible approach to higher education. Instead of following a traditional program of study, an Individualized Studies degree allows you to design your own curriculum by selecting courses from multiple disciplines based on your specific interests and career goals. In order to be approved for this program, you will need to think about your career goals or personal interests, what prior credits you have, and how to build a cohesive degree plan based on your goals. These selected courses work together to build a final integrative capstone project that can have more flexibility than a traditional major. This degree plan requires slightly more planning up front before approval, however it provides a tailored education based on your unique interests and goals, an interdisciplinary approach, flexibility, and adaptability particularly if you already have multiple college credits. This plan of study could be particularly useful for students aiming to meet the prerequisites for a specific graduate program, for transitioning to a different position at work, for gaining new skills for work promotion, or to finally pursue a specific program that suits your personal interests and allows for personal growth.
Students in Individualized Studies degrees choose this degree for a variety of reasons. Some are looking to complete specific pre-requisites for post-baccalaureate or graduate programs. Many already have careers but need to complete a bachelor's degree in order to be promoted or be eligible for additional opportunities. Many students have chosen this path to complete non-certification training or to become instructors within their current work environment. We have had police officers develop a Health & Wellness promotion program, several work on a degree plan to prepare them for promotion, some to become better writers, and others for specific social work, business, public service, or behavioral science career paths.
Potential Career Areas
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Media Planner
- Advertising and Promotions Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Media Programming Director
Course Highlights
Why UNH CPS?
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).
- Available fully online with select on-campus courses.
- Affordable tuition.
- Nationally ranked online programs.
- About 89% of our students are transfer students. Making the most of your transfer credits is our specialty.
- Career advising is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
- We’re experts at assessing credit toward your undergraduate degree – not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.
- Completion of our free, online application for admission
- High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC
Curriculum & Requirements
A minimum of 32 semester credit hours is required in the major with at least four courses at the upper level. The Individualized Studies major is usually developed in conjunction with the regular course assignments in CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking. A proposal for the major must be submitted to Academic Affairs for approval.
Students in an Individualized Studies program should develop their individual academic plan sequencing with their academic advisor once their major courses are approved.
Degree Requirements
General Education Program Requirements
A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.
All General Education requirements, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
MTH 402 | Math for Our World | |
MTH 504 | Statistics | |
MTH 510 | Pre-Calculus | |
| Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems | 4 | |
| Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World | 4 | |
| Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression | 4 | |
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDIS 601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Writing Program Requirements
All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
ENG 420 | The Writing Process | |
One Writing Intensive course in the Major | ||
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above | ||
One Additional Writing Intensive Course | ||
Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.
Major Requirements
A minimum of 32 semester credit hours is required in the major with at least four courses at the upper level.
Students interested in the Individualized Studies major should contact their academic advisor. The student will work with their advisor and the Director of Liberal Arts to determine if an Individualized Studies degree is feasible. Once the student’s degree plan has been researched and finalized, the student must submit a proposal to Academic Affairs for approval. Generally, this work is completed while the student is taking CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking however, feasibility and degree planning may occur prior to taking CRIT 602 if needed.
Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.
Electives
Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.
- Demonstrate the ability to be a self-directed student by determining individual academic objectives and activities and evaluating the resulting learning.
- Attain proficiency in the knowledge, theories, methods of inquiry, and use of information resources pertinent to a substantial and coherent area of study.
- Develop knowledge and skills in a specific discipline or clearly articulated interdisciplinary area at the introductory through advanced level.
- Use ongoing reflective learning to articulate the progression and integration of one’s learning in the selected area of study.
Your Prior and Current Learning Counts
Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.