Suggested B.I.S. Curricular Pathways
Many of our students choose to design an individualized program for themselves. However, in addition to the individualized curricular options, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program also offers several curricular pathways within the major.
These pathways have been designed with attention to students’ existing credits and many of the curricular and pre-professional interests they bring to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. The minor + minor option within our individualized major allows students to align their goals and maintains timely degree completion efforts.
Along with a general description of the pathway, each entry below lists the minimum requirements a student must have met to complete the pathway in three 15-credit semesters. If the student declares the B.I.S. having earned fewer than 75 credits, those additional credits needed to graduate would allow for further flexibility in areas like electives, meeting prerequisite requirements, and so on. Many students may have already completed courses toward one or both of the minors involved in the pathway, which also allows for increased elective flexibility in these final three semesters.
B.I.S. Pathways
Health Administration
For students interested in serving healthcare needs by developing management and/or business skills, the “Health Administration” pathway combines:
- B.I.S. Core Courses
- The Health Services Minor
And coursework and/or minors in at least one of the following:
Health Communication
For students interested in serving healthcare needs by developing communication skills, the “Health Communication” pathway combines:
- B.I.S. Core Courses
- The Health Services Minor
And coursework and/or minors in at least one of the following:
Health Policy
For students interested in serving healthcare needs by developing public policy skills, the “Health Policy” pathway combines:
- B.I.S. Core Courses
- The Health Services Minor
And coursework and/or minors in at least one of the following:
Health & Wellness Promotion
For students interesting in serving healthcare needs by developing broader educational skills, the “Health Promotion” pathway combines:
- B.I.S. Core Courses
- The Health Services Minor
And coursework and/or minors in at least one of the following:
Health Equity
For students interested in serving healthcare needs across social demographics and disparities, the “Health Equity” pathway combines:
- B.I.S. Core Courses
- The Health Services Minor
And coursework, minors, and/or certificates in at least one of the following:
For students who have earned an Associate’s degree in Human Services and/or are interested in pursuing careers across a range of Human Service positions, this pathway combines BIS Core courses with coursework, minors and/or certificates in at least two of four human service clusters:
- Business & Management: for developing managerial skills for profit, nonprofit, and public enterprises, students could complete coursework or a minor in:
- Health: for developing knowledge of health and wellbeing for employment in hospitals, rehabilitation, counseling, and public settings, student could complete coursework or a minor in:
- Society: for developing knowledge of people and to serve specific communities of people, students could complete coursework or a minor or certificate in:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- African American Studies
- Gender & Sexuality Studies
- Criminal Justice
- Urban & Regional Studies
- Political Science
- Disability Studies
- Communications & Computing: for developing communication and computing skills for profit, nonprofit, and public enterprises, students could complete coursework or a minor or certificate in:
Learn more about potential career paths by clicking the button below
For students interested in innovative design for real people (for example: designing products, apps, services, curriculum, etc.), the “UI/UX” pathway combines:
- BIS core courses
- Coursework in Human-Centered Design through the daVinci Center
- Coursework in Creative Practices from the Center for Creative Economy
and, likely, one or more of the following minors and/or certificates: - Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies
- Disability Studies Certificate
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing Insights
- Product Innovation Certificate
- Fundamentals of Computing Certificate
The “Business Psychology” pathway combines General Business and Psychology minors with the BIS core courses. Students on this pathway learn to apply psychology in in business relations, from organizational management to addressing customer needs.
To complete this pathway in 45 credits, upon joining the BIS:
- Student must have met all University Core requirements
- Student must have completed 75 credits, including nine upper-level credits
The “Business Communications” pathway combines General Business and Media Studies minors with the BIS core courses. Students following this path will learn about mass communications from a business perspective, preparing them for careers in fields as diverse as public relations media management.
To complete this pathway in 45 credits, upon joining the BIS:
- Student must have met all University Core requirements
- Student must have 75 credits completed, including 12-15 upper-level credits
- Student must have at least a 2.5 GPA by the time they register for MASC 203, and must maintain that GPA to remain enrolled in the Media Studies minor
The “Cities and Politics” pathway combines the Political Science minor and the Urban and Regional Studies and Planning minor with the BIS core courses. This pathway provides students an understanding of the role of government in the expansion and management of urban spaces. BIS students with plans in local politics and city government will receive instruction that helps them to build healthier, more efficient urban regions.
To complete this pathway in 45 credits, upon joining the Interdisciplinary Studies Program:
- Student must have met all University Core requirements
- Student must have completed 75 credits, including fifteen upper-level credits
The “Public and Human Service” pathway combines Sociology and Public Management minors with the BIS core courses. This pathway positions students for careers in human services and policy advocacy. By combining these two minors with instruction in interdisciplinary methodology, BIS students will understand how to navigate the interplay of societal needs and political bureaucracy.
To complete this pathway in 45 credits, upon joining the BIS:
- Student must have met all University Core requirements
- Student must have taken SOCY 101: Introduction to Sociology
- Student must have completed 75 credits, including three upper-level credits
The “Business and Government Relations” pathway combines General Business and Public Management minors with the BIS core courses. Students following this pathway will graduate with the skills to build the public-private partnerships that drive much of the 21st century economy. This pathway includes instruction in a multitude of relevant areas, including finance, public policy, government relations and leadership for both business and the political realm.
To complete this pathway in 45 credits, upon joining the Interdisciplinary Studies Program:
- Student must have met all University Core requirements
- Student must have completed 75 credits, including six upper-level credits
Gallery Management
- Combining Entrepreneurship and Art History minors with BIS core courses
Environmental Policy and Planning
- Combining Environmental Studies and Public Management minors with BIS core courses
Urban Systems and Land Use
- Combining Real Estate and Urban and Regional Studies and Planning minors with BIS core courses
Computing and Data Literacy for Public Management
- Combining the Fundamentals of Computing Certificate and the Public Management minor with BIS core courses
Entrepreneurship in the World of Fashion
- Combining Fashion Merchandising and Entrepreneurship minors with BIS core courses
(The Fashion Merchandising minor requires a 3.0 gpa)