Integrative Studies
Kent State University’s Bachelor of Integrative Studies is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to design a degree aligned with their unique interests and career aspirations. Ideal for those seeking a personalized education, this program combines coursework from various fields, providing a versatile academic foundation. Graduates emerge with a broad skill set, ready to adapt to diverse professional opportunities.
Bachelor of Integrative Studies Program Overview
The Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree provides a path to degree completion utilizing an integrative approach while maintaining a focus on career and professional goals. Students consult with an advisor to research and develop a plan of study.
Students may apply early to the M.S. degree in Emerging Media and Technology and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Integrate theoretical and empirical material from across traditional disciplines.
- Design, research and execute a scholarly project of high quality.
- Articulate connections between their chosen coursework at Kent State and their plans to make a contribution to their community after graduation.
Program Structure
- 120 minimum credits
- In addition to taking the university requirements, students consult with an advisor to research and develop their plan of study
- 39 of the 120 earned credit hours must be at the upper-division (30000-40000 level)
- Students are encouraged to complete internships or utilize individual investigations for more nuanced work; the total hours that can be completed in internship and/or individual investigation courses cannot total more than 15 hours
- Students must successfully complete one course or approved Experiential Learning Requirement
Bachelor of Integrative Studies Program Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
Students who have completed 30 credit hours (excluding credit earned while in high school, e.g. College Credit Plus) may declare the Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree. Students should schedule an appointment with a B.I.S. advisor to evaluate completed coursework, discuss future academic and career goals and determine which concentration will be reflected on the degree audit.
This degree program may not be earned as a double major or dual degree with another major and cannot be earned as an additional degree after another degree at the same or higher level has been earned previously.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.
Important Dates
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| IGST 40099 | SENIOR PROJECT (ELR) (WIC) 1 | 1-3 |
| Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
| UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
| Kent Core Composition | 6 | |
| Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning | 3 | |
| Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) | 9 | |
| Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) | 6 | |
| Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 | |
| Kent Core Additional | 6 | |
| General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 2 | 0-52 | |
| Concentrations | ||
| Choose from the following: | 30-82 | |
| Integrative Studies-General3 | ||
| Integrative Studies-Two Minors4 | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 | |
1A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
2Students are encouraged to complete internships or utilize individual investigations for more nuanced work; the total hours that can be completed in internship (xxx92) and/or individual investigation (xxx96) courses can not total more than 15 hours.
3The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from a minimum of two interrelated programs that support their career aspirations.
4The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. Students select courses from a minimum of two academic departments and develop a rationale for the ways in which these courses support their career goals.
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| - | 2.000 |
- The B.I.S. degree requires a minimum total of 120 earned credit hours, of which 39 credit hours must be at the upper-division (30000-40000) level.
- Students in both the Integrative Studies-General concentration and the Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration are required to complete IGST 40099, as well as all university requirements and college requirements.
Bachelor of Integrative Studies Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $592.97 | $1,778.91 | $52,200 full-time1 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $602.97 | $1,808.91 | $53,400 full-time2 |
1The flat-rate semester fee of $6,526.80 applies to full-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester. This program is calculated at 8 semesters. For part-time semesters: The $592.97 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,526.80 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 12-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken (between 12-18 semester credits or $120-$180). This program is calculated at 8 semesters ($52,214.40) plus the surcharge ($150 x 8). For part-time semesters: The $602.97 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
The tuition listed above is for the Kent campus. The Bachelor of Integrative Studies program is offered at both the Kent campus and one or more Regional campus. The tuition rate will be assessed individually for each campus, however, the individual tuition assessments added together will not exceed the Kent campus flat rate capped at between 12-18 credits. If the tuition added together for each campus does exceed that amount, then the student account will be adjusted. Please visit the Admissions website for information regarding Regional campus tuition.
Total program cost based on Tuition Guarantee Program for a full-time student taking 12-18 credit hours for 8 semesters. Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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