Integrated Studies

Overview

As the world becomes more complex, the need for interdisciplinary educational experiences increases. To respond to this trend, the Integrated Studies program of Washburn University was created.

Curriculum

The requirements of the BIS degree are based on the assumption that a multi-disciplinary approach is a suitable model for the depth of experience component of an undergraduate student’s degree. In particular, those students who do not plan to seek post baccalaureate education in a specific field still might benefit greatly from a relatively brief exposure to fundamental aspects of selected disciplines relevant to their personal interests, goals, aspirations, or career path, despite never completing the full set of major requirements in a discipline.

The Program strives to meet student needs in a number of ways. Students interested in a career field which is rapidly evolving will find the flexibility to build a curriculum which meets these needs. A creative student whose interests bridge several disciplines can do so with this program. Those students whose interests follow a theme that spans several departments select courses from multiple departments.

Multi-disciplinary plans of study within the Bachelor of Integrated Studies may be created in one of two ways:

• Unique, customized plan created by a student.

• Standard multi-disciplinary plan created by a group of departments.

Student Learning Outcomes

Washburn University students completing this degree, upon graduation, are expected to have:

• Integrated diverse disciplines through a multi-departmental curriculum.

• Constructed appropriate research questions, conduct research, develop a research argument.

• Integrated diverse materials into the writing of a research project.