Individualized Studies, Bachelor of Individualized Studies (B.I.S.)
Overview
The Bachelor of Individualized Studies degree provides a flexible, advisor-guided academic pathway for students whose educational, professional, military, transfer, or personal learning goals do not fit within a single traditional major. The program allows students to design an individualized academic plan that integrates coursework from multiple disciplines while maintaining clear degree requirements, academic rigor, and alignment with career or graduate study goals.
The Bachelor of Individualized Studies is designed for students seeking a personalized and purposeful path to degree completion. This may include transfer students, adult learners, military-affiliated students, students with prior college credit, working professionals, and students seeking an interdisciplinary course of study aligned with their academic and career interests. Through structured advising, students develop an academic pathway that supports critical thinking, communication, research, career readiness, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
Students in the Bachelor of Individualized Studies program complete general education requirements, an approved academic pathway, required individualized studies courses, and electives needed to meet the minimum number of credit hours for graduation. Students may also be eligible to earn credit through approved transfer coursework, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, and military education or occupational training documented through official military transcripts, consistent with University policy.
Pathway Options
Students in the Bachelor of Individualized Studies program may complete the degree through one of three pathway options:
Applied Liberal Studies Pathway
The Applied Liberal Studies pathway is designed for students seeking a broad, flexible degree completion option that integrates coursework across multiple disciplines. This pathway may be appropriate for students with significant prior college credit, transfer credit, military credit, professional experience, or other approved learning experiences who need a structured route to degree completion.
Student Designed Pathway
The Student Designed pathway allows students to work with an academic advisor to develop an individualized academic plan aligned with their academic interests, career goals, or graduate study plans. This pathway is appropriate for students whose goals do not fit neatly within an existing major or predetermined pathway.
Predetermined Pathways
Predetermined pathways provide structured academic options built around approved areas of study. These pathways may include fields such as health and science, technology and analytics, business and industry, arts and media, social and behavioral studies, education, humanities, military studies, logistics, and public service. These options help students focus their coursework on an area aligned with workforce needs, professional goals, or interdisciplinary interests while maintaining the flexibility of the Bachelor of Individualized Studies degree.
Academic Pathways
Each student must select an approved academic pathway for individualized study. The academic pathway must include a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in discipline-specific or interdisciplinary coursework approved through academic advising. The pathway should support the student’s academic goals, career objectives, and overall degree plan.
Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Individualized Studies
In completing the degree, the following minimum requirements must be met:
General Education
Students must complete 33 credit hours in required General Education courses.
Electives
Students may earn elective credit as needed to complete the minimum 120 semester credit hours required for the degree. Electives should complement the student’s individualized academic pathway and support the student’s academic, professional, or graduate study goals.
Additional requirements in completing the 120 semester credit hours include:
Course Level
A minimum of 40 semester credit hours must be earned from upper-level courses. These may include approved upper-level courses in the individualized academic pathway, upper-level electives, and eligible upper-level transfer credit, consistent with University policy.
Students must also complete INDS 302 Individualized Studies Careers Seminar and INDS 499 Senior Capstone in Individualized Studies. These courses provide structured support for career planning, academic reflection, applied learning, and demonstration of integrated learning across the student’s individualized pathway.
Methods of Earning Credit
In addition to completing coursework at Virginia State University, students may earn approved academic credit through the following processes:
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit includes credit earned with a grade of C or better from another accredited two-year or four-year institution. Coursework may be completed in face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online formats, provided the institution is accredited and the coursework is approved for transfer by Virginia State University.
Credit by Examination
Credit by examination may be available for approved courses and includes a comprehensive examination that allows the student to demonstrate mastery of established course learning outcomes. When approved, the examination is administered by faculty in the department from which course credit is sought.
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning is curriculum credit awarded for college-level learning acquired through nontraditional experiences. These experiences may include paid or unpaid work experience, professional certifications and licenses, nonacademic courses or workshops, and other relevant life experiences aligned with established course learning outcomes.
Students seeking credit for prior learning must align their prior learning with courses in the current University Catalog and complete the required prior learning assessment process. Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine whether INDS 301 or another approved prior learning assessment process is required. Credit awarded through prior learning assessment will be recorded in accordance with University policy.
Maximum Credit for Prior Learning
Credit awarded through prior learning assessment may not exceed 25 percent of the total required credit hours for the degree program. For a 120-credit-hour undergraduate degree, this allows up to 30 semester credit hours through approved credit for prior learning, consistent with University policy.
Credit for Military Occupational Specialties and Military Education
Credit for military occupational specialties and military education may be awarded when the learning is documented on an official Joint Services Transcript and supported by applicable American Council on Education recommendations. Approved military credit is recorded as transfer credit by Virginia State University.
Active duty, reserve, National Guard, veteran, and retired service members must submit official documentation of military education, training, and occupational experience. Awarded military credit must align with the student’s degree requirements and is subject to University review and approval.
Contact Information
Students interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Individualized Studies may request additional information by contacting:
Distance Education and Professional Studies
Email: distanceeducation@vsu.edu
Degree Completion and Graduation Specialists/Academic Advisors
Ms. Ashley Leverett
Phone: 804 524 5862
Email: aleverett@vsu.edu
Location: Harris Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 3303
Ms. Shatiera Jones
Phone: 804 524 3206
Email: sejones@vsu.edu
Location: Harris Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 3304
Ms. Jamila Hunt
Phone: 804 524 5640
Email: jhunt@vsu.edu
Location: Harris Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 3304
General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Individualized Studies
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GE English Electives | 6 | |
| GE History Electives | 3 | |
| GE Global Studies Electives | 3 | |
| GE Humanities Electives | 3 | |
| GE Literature Electives | 3 | |
| GE Wellness/Health Electives | 2 | |
| GE Social Science Electives | 3 | |
| GE Mathematics Electives | 6 | |
| GE Science Electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Total Requirements Semester Hours: 33
A single course may simultaneously fulfill a general education requirement and a departmental or major/minor requirement. A single course cannot be used to fulfill more than one general education requirement. Department or major/minor areas may opt to exceed the minimum credit hour requirements above.
Academic Pathways
Academic Pathways and Required BIS Courses (36 credit hours)
Students must complete 30 credit hours in an approved academic pathway and 6 credit hours in required Bachelor of Individualized Studies courses.
Each student completes the Bachelor of Individualized Studies through one of the following pathway options:
Applied Liberal Studies Pathway (30 credit hours)
The Applied Liberal Studies Pathway is designed for students seeking a broad, flexible degree completion option that integrates coursework across multiple disciplines. This pathway may be appropriate for students with significant prior college credit, transfer credit, military credit, professional experience, or other approved learning experiences who need a structured route to degree completion.
Student Designed Pathway (30 credit hours)
The Student Designed Pathway allows students to work with an academic advisor to develop an individualized academic plan aligned with their academic interests, career goals, or graduate study plans. This pathway is appropriate for students whose goals do not fit neatly within an existing major or predetermined pathway.
Predetermined Pathways (30 credit hours)
Predetermined Pathways provide structured academic options built around approved areas of study. These pathways help students focus their coursework in an area connected to workforce needs, professional goals, or interdisciplinary interests while maintaining the flexibility of the Bachelor of Individualized Studies degree.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Predetermined pathway examples may include, but are not limited to, the following areas: | ||
| Health and Science | ||
Applied Health and Human Performance Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: DANC, HLTH, HPER, PESM, PHED, RECR | ||
Applied Health and Natural Science Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: BIOL, DIET, HLTH, AGRI, | ||
Applied Biological Sciences Courses with the following subject code may be taken: BIOL | ||
Applied Chemical Sciences Courses with the following subject code may be taken: CHEM | ||
Healthcare Administration and Public Health Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: HLTH, BIOL, DIET, FCCS, NURS | ||
| Tech and Analytics | ||
Applied Engineering Technology Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: CPEG, CSCI, ELET, ENGR, ENGT, INLT, MANE, MCET, MEEG | ||
Computer Science Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: CSCI, CISY, CPEG | ||
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: CISY, CSCI, INLT, CJUS, | ||
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: CISY, CSCI, INLT, COBU, MKTG, PADM | ||
Logistics Information Technology Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: INLT, MANE, PADM, CISY | ||
| Business and Industry | ||
Applied Agricultural Studies Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: AGRI, AGEC, AGME, ANSC, HORT, PLSC, DIET, FACS, FCCS, TAMM, HMGT | ||
Applied Business Administration Courses with the following subject code may be taken: COBU, ACCT, FINC, CISY, MGMT | ||
Hospitality Management Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: HMGT, FACS, COBU, PADM, FINC | ||
Humanities and Entrepreneurship Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: PHIL, HIST, COBU, ENGL, FINC, PADM | ||
Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: AGRI, PHYS, CHEM, PADM, MCET, PLSC | ||
Supply Chain and Logistics Management Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: INLT, MANE, PADM, COBU, ENGT | ||
Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: AGRI, PLSC, AQSC | ||
| Arts and Media | ||
Applied Communication Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: COMM | ||
Applied Music Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: MUSI | ||
Applied Visual Arts Courses with the following subject code may be taken: ARTS, VCAD | ||
Creative Arts and Technology Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: ARTS, COMM, MUSI, CNED, VCAD, MUSE | ||
Dance and Theatre Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: DRAM, DANC | ||
Digital Media and Communication Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: COMM, ARTS, CNED, MKTG, VCAD | ||
| Social and Behavioral | ||
Applied Human Behavior Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: SOCI | ||
Applied Justice Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: CJUS | ||
Applied Psychological Sciences Courses with the following subject code may be taken: PSYC | ||
Applied Social Services Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: SOWK | ||
Behavioral and Social Sciences Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: SOCI, PSYC, POLI | ||
Military Science Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: MILS, CJUS, POLI, SOWK | ||
| Education and Humanities | ||
Applied Communication and Writing Courses with the following subject code may be taken: IDUP, DRAM, ENED, ENGL, ARAB, FREN, GERM, RUSS, SPAN, SPEE | ||
Applied Education Studies Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: CBED, EDUC, ELED, SPED | ||
Applied Historical Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: GEOG, HIST, PHIL | ||
Applied Liberal Arts Studies Courses may be taken within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
Applied Math and Economic Studies Courses with the following subject codes may be taken: MATH, ECON, FINC, COBU | ||
Applied Political Studies Courses with the following subject code may be taken: POLI, PADM | ||
Student Designed Studies All courses/subjects | ||
| Approved pathway coursework must be selected in consultation with an academic advisor and must support the student’s academic goals, career objectives, and overall degree plan. | ||
All predetermined pathways require 15 credit hours of 100-200 level courses and 15 hours of 300-400 level courses.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INDS 302 | Orientation | 1 |
| INDS 499 | Senior Research Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 4 | |
Unrestricted and Restricted Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Electives Upper Level Courses | 40 | |
| Unrestricted Electives | 11 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 51 | |
Summary of Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 33 | |
| Pathway Option | 30 | |
| Required Courses | 6 | |
| Electives | 51 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |