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Message from the Chair

The BIS program has been meeting the needs of learners with at least two years of transferable credit since 1974. The program serves adult students, in particular, who seek a broad, more flexible degree program to help them to advance or become more established in their careers, to meet requirements for an advanced degree, or to improve their understanding of the world around them.

BIS students are diverse. They bring to the university many academic, personal, and work-related experiences. They typically choose the BIS program because (1) they are aware that they are more employable in many occupations with the degree, (2) that learning in the arts and sciences and in a field of specialization leads to understanding and empowerment, and (3) they review their personal plans and recognize that they can effectively meet their most important goals for a bachelor's degree through the BIS.

Winston-Salem State University, like every other college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, requires that all its academic programs have an approved balance between general education, one or more fields of specialization, and electives. The BIS is no exception. BIS students are required to meet the university's general education core requirements and are involved in at least 11 concentration/depth study specializations at the university, listed below.

The BIS is not, however, designed for persons needing to receive specific state or national certification in a professional field-for example, teaching, nursing, or computer science. If you need such a certificate, please contact the appropriate academic department.

Admission

Transfer credits for admission include any associate's degree from a regionally accredited institution, transferable credits from regionally accredited four-year institutions (i.e., courses which closely match WSSU courses), or at least two years of transferable credit from a combination of two- and four-year institutions. When completing the WSSU application, check Interdisciplinary Studies as your intended major (or Applied Science on older applications), rather than the academic department of that major.

Degree  Requirements

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree may be earned upon completion of the following requirements:

1. Meet Winston-Salem State University's general education core requirements.
2. Demonstrate basic computer literacy through appropriate courses taken in transfer or at WSSU, or through challenging the final exam for CSC 1306 - The Computer and Its Use I.
3. Complete a Depth Study (or "concentration") of 36 semester hours (SH) with grades of C or above for the courses taken. At least 30 SH will be taken from one or more Academic Departments at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)-or through approved transfer from other baccalaureate institutions-and of these 30 SH, at least 20 SH must be at the 3000-4000 level, with a minimum of 3 SH at the 4000 level.  At least six (6) SH must be taken in courses designated as "Interdisciplinary Studies," in addition to the 30 SH in the Depth Study.
4. Transfer or take a balance of elective or support courses to meet the total credit requirements.
5. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) for all WSSU courses taken.
6. Meet upper division course requirements (20 SH for AAS graduates; 40 SH for others)
7. Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit in WSSU courses.
8. Complete a minimum total of 120 semester hours through transfer and WSSU courses for the degree, excluding remedial courses.

Scheduling Your Courses in the BIS Program

Most courses at the university are offered on campus during the day. Many courses, however, are also offered by distance learning technologies and through the Evening-Weekend Program. BIS students may take courses through any and all these scheduling arrangements. Virtually all of the General Studies courses are offered both by means of the Worldwide Web and through Evening-Weekend Program. One concentration, Integrative Studies, is offered on-line. Science specializations tend to be scheduled on campus during the day.

Learning from Experience

If you are a military veteran, check with your advisor regarding credit for health and physical education courses. Also discuss military courses and college-level learning experiences gained outside the traditional classroom for potential credit through CLEP and other assessments.