The Bachelor of Integrative Studies (BIS) degree is a university-wide degree program that allows you to custom design your own plan of study integrating coursework from multiple disciplines based on your professional and career goals. BIS is particularly well-suited for those who have a number of transfer credits, are targeting a specific graduate or professional program, or have interests across a number of areas.

There are a wide variety of options that you may pursue with a BIS degree. Alumni of the BIS program go on to graduate school, gain relevant employment in their area of focus, or are able to secure promotions in their current company with a BIS degree. In today’s challenging economic times, employers are actively seeking employees with a broad base of critical skills and students are increasingly realizing the importance of achieving a Bachelor’s degree. The unique, self-designed programs help you specifically target professional and employment goals.

If you are unsure as to whether or not the BIS program is suited to your needs, you may schedule an appointment to meet with a BIS adviser. During that meeting, you will be assisted in reviewing your transcripts and discussing your academic and personal goals. The BIS program requirements and general information will help you in making a sound decision about your program.

Yes, the BIS program is a “Two plus Two” degree program, which means you may utilize your associate degree to maximize your transfer credit. Associate Degree holders from accredited Michigan Community Colleges may transfer up to 62 qualifying credits. Students without an associate degree have their transfer coursework evaluated on a course by course basis.

BIS students go on to a wide variety of Master’s level programs, including professional studies in Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Law, Counseling, and more. Additionally, with the ability to design your own plan-of-study, you may be able to fulfill some of your graduate program pre-requisites as part of the BIS program.

The BIS Program has several opportunities for assistance with the Plan of Study. Our advisers can help you design your plan and ready your application for submission. These appointments will clarify your options and goals so that you will be well-equipped to know how to design a plan of study that is academically sound. We will also connect you with a faculty mentor in your area of interest so that you may receive additional assistance and input. Finally, our faculty admissions committee will also review the suitability of your course selection and plans.

If you are interested in changing your major to BIS, you may put in a request electronically by clicking on the eplan log in to process your request. You will be prompted to enter your OU email and password, then the Change of Major Form will appear. In order to change your major you must have at least a 2.0 grade point average in your Oakland University coursework and you must have met with an integrative studies adviser before this change of major can be processed.

You will need to turn in the hard copy of your Plan of Study signed by your faculty mentor, the application questionnaire, and signed minor form(s). This complete application must be turned in by the assigned due date for your plan of study. Once all these items are received they will be submitted to the next Faculty Admissions Committee meeting and you will be notified of the committee’s decision. Applications must be submitted in full to be sent to the committee.

Decisions on approval are made by the Faculty Admissions Committee. Students will be notified regarding the status of their application shortly after a decision is made and courses are eligible to be taken in subsequent semesters. In the event that your plan was not approved, you will then have the opportunity to meet with the BIS Adviser to make any suggested changes to you Plan of Study or Questionnaire. Your plan will then be re-submitted to the committee for further review.

There are a variety of situations that may prevent you from registering for a course on your plan of study. If the course is full you may contact the professor to request to add in or be placed on a waiting list. If there is space in the course, check the prerequisities needed for the course or major standing required for the course. Please check the SAIL course descriptions and contact the BIS department with specific questions and concerns.

If you fail a class on your plan of study, generally you must re-take the course in order to graduate. If there are other circumstances involved you may need to set up an appointment with the BIS Adviser to discuss your situation.

There are specific courses listed in the catalog for each general education category that you must choose from. Find the full current list here (link). If the course is not on the general education list, then it will not count toward a general education requirement.

If the course(s) is/are from a Michigan community college, you may look up transferability on the Transfer Equivalency link on the BIS website. If you are a new transfer student you will receive a transfer credit evaluation which will indicate the number of credits earned and what any general education requirements these may have satisfied. If you are interested in applying to OU but would like to know more about how your credits transfer, you may send a student copy of your transcripts to the records department and request a “preliminary” evaluation.

You may call the BIS office at 248-370-3229 to request an appointment. We have advising available on main campus in 160 North Foundation Hall and at the Macomb University Center office as well.  We will do our best to service you with the earliest possible appointment.

If you hope to make a substitution to your plan, your substitution must be approved after you are registered for the course but before you begin the course. Course substitutions are allowable if you’re substituting within the same subject area and level (EX: BIO for BIO and 300 level for 300 level). If your change exceeds these parameters, you must submit a petition of exception (link) to the BIS Curriculum Committee that reviews your requests and may or may not approve it.
For all changes, please include the course number, name, and number of credits (EX: COM 303, Communication Theory, 4 credits) and a rationale that explains the educational value of the replacement course in light of your plan of study and application questionnaire. Be sure to keep the terms of your minor(s) in mind as you make these requests. Late registration may not be eligible for program changes.

General education requirements cannot be a part of the BIS plan of study but the co-requisite requirements (writing intensive in general education, capstone, writing intensive in the major, and diversity) may be included in the BIS plan of study.

When you think you’re ready to graduate, please email or call us for a BIS graduation check. Also, fill out the Oakland University application to graduate (link). Students who will finish their coursework in summer one (the May/June half of summer) are eligible to walk in May.

Depending on how many credits you have completed and/or transferred to OU, you may be able to take additional coursework elsewhere. Please consult with an adviser to confirm your eligibility before you take additional courses.