The Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) degree program is a unique and flexible program designed for students who have a strong desire to create a personalized academic plan. This individualized program allows students to tailor their curriculum to their specific interests, combining courses from various disciplines to create a personalized and well-rounded education. With the guidance of advisors, students can explore diverse areas of study that develop a deep understanding of their chosen fields, increase career readiness and employability. The program encourages critical thinking, career readiness, creativity, and independent learning, preparing students for a wide range of career opportunities or further academic pursuits.

In completing the degree, the following minimum requirements must be met:

General Education 

Students must complete 33 credit hours in required General Education courses.

Academic Pathways 

Each student must select an academic pathway for individualized study and complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in discipline-specific courses, plus an additional six semester credit hours from INDS-A 499 Senior Capstone in Individualized Studies (see course description for specific requirements) and INDS 302 Individualized Studies Careers Seminar. Courses in the individualized academic pathway must be upper-level courses. 

Electives 

Students may earn up to 51 hours of elective credit subject to the additional course credit requirements listed below. Ideally, these electives should complement the individualized academic pathways.

Additional requirements in completing the above 120 semester hours include:

Residency

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be earned from coursework at VSU.  The General Education Curriculum courses and the 30 semester credit hours earned on the academic pathways satisfy this requirement.  Competency-based credit or credit for prior learning will not satisfy this requirement.

Course Level

A minimum of 40 semester credit hours must be earned from upper-level courses.  These include courses taken in the individualized academic pathways, elective credit, transfer credit, and credit approved by the prior learning portfolio.

maximum credit

A maximum of 30 semester credit hours may be awarded for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) as recommended by ACE.

Methods of Earning Credit 

In addition to taking resident coursework at Virginia State University, official award of credit may also be accomplished through the following processes:

Transfer credit: Includes credit earned from a course with a grade of “C” or better taken at another accredited two or four-year institution.

Credit by Examination:  Includes a comprehensive examination designed to allow the student to demonstrate mastery of established course outcomes. The special comprehensive examination will be administered by Virginia State University faculty in the department from which course credit is sought.

Credit for Prior Learning: Includes a comprehensive assessment of the students’ acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities, as demonstrated through the development of a professional portfolio. Interested students must align their prior learning with courses in the current University Catalog and enroll in INDS 301 for development of the portfolio. Evaluation of the portfolio may be undertaken by university approved internal or external reviewers and any credit awarded through portfolio review may be used only in the BIS degree. An administrative fee is charged for each portfolio at the time of registration. Credit awarded by Virginia State University will be identified on the student's transcript as credit for prior learning.

Credit for Military Occupational Specialties and Education: Includes credit awarded for education and for occupational specialties. Active duty and retired service personnel must submit documentation of military education/training via an official Joint Services Military Transcript. Academic credit is based on the recommendations for the American Council on Education (ACE), as found in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

Course Modality Credit: Students may earn credit for courses taken at another accredited university in face to face, hybrid, or fully online modalities.

General Education (33 credit hours)

Academic Pathways (36 credit hours)

Students must complete 30 credit hours from the approved pathway and 6 additional courses from: