Interdisciplinary Studies Major, B.S.I.S.

General Program Information

Box 70659
Phone: (423) 439-4223
916 W. Maple St.

The web-based Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.I.S.) is especially designed to meet the needs of those with limited access to higher education; typically, adult students whose work, place of residence, family obligations, or other confinements have made attendance difficult in traditional on-campus courses. The B.S.I.S. program is most suitable for adults who have completed an associate degree, or at minimum, some college credit. The program gives students the opportunity to integrate personal and professional growth through the exploration of perspectives, philosophies and experience in a variety of disciplines. Students complete two areas of concentration, which they may fulfill either by completing an ETSU minor or by completing 12 hours of related, upper-level coursework in an area appropriate to their educational or professional goals. Students may obtain the degree entirely through online courses or through a combination of traditional classroom and online courses. Students who have previously earned a four-year degree are not eligible to enroll in the B.S.I..S. program. Due to the unique nature of the B.S.I.S. degree, students may not double major.

Admission Requirements

1. Students apply to ETSU and must meet ETSU general admission requirements.
2. Upon acceptance to ETSU, students complete an admissions interview with a B.S.I.S. advisor. The interview may be completed over the telephone or through some other electronic means. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether the B.S.I.S. is the best program for the student, or if the student would be better served by another degree program.
3. Students must complete the Cross-Disciplinary Studies application.
4. The B.S.I.S. advisor recommends admission or denial to the department chair, Division of Cross-Disciplinary Studies.
5. The department chair accepts or denies admission.

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Curriculum Requirements

TBR General Education Requirements: 41-42 Credit Hours

• ENGL 1010 - Critical Reading and Expository Writing (3 credits)
• ENGL 1020 - Critical Thinking and Argumentation (3 credits)
• Communication: Oral Communication (3 credits) *
• Mathematics (3-4 credits) *
• Natural Sciences (8 credits) *
• HIST 2010 - The United States to 1877 (3 credits)
• HIST 2020 - The United States since 1877 (3 credits)
• Literature (3 credits) *
• Fine Arts (3 credits) *
• Humanities (3 credits) *
• Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) *

Additional graduation requirements:

Proficiency intensives

Two Concentrations. The student will complete two concentrations of his/her choice. Each concentration is a minimum of 12 hours of related coursework in the same discipline. Of the 12 hours required for each concentration, 9 of those hours must be at the 3000-4000 levels. There may be no duplication of courses between the two concentrations.

Professional Field Experience. Satisfactory completion of the B.S.I.S. Professional Field Experience (BSIS 4210 ) is required to graduate.

Guided electives. The student will complete up to 52 hours of advisor-approved elective courses.

Upper division requirement. 34 hours of the student’s entire B.S.I.S. degree program must be at the 3000/4000 levels.

All other graduation requirements of the university must be met. See listing of these requirements in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the catalog.

Total Credit Hours. A total of 120 credit hours are required. 

The Prior Learning/Experiential Learning Portfolio

The prior learning portfolio is an option available only to B.G.S., B.S.I.S., and B.S.P.S. students that allows them the opportunity to earn credit for their college-level learning that has taken place outside the traditional college classroom. In consultation with the advisor, students prepare a prior learning portfolio. The finished portfolio is submitted to the advisor to appraise form and content. Final approval is made by the appropriate departmental faculty. Credit may only be awarded for prior learning that directly equates to specific ETSU courses.

If a student transfers from the B.G.S., B.S.I.S., and B.S.P.S. to another major, hours earned through the prior-learning portfolio cannot be applied to the new major. No more than 25 percent of the degree may be earned through the prior learning portfolio process. In a 120-semester-hour program, this limit is 30 credit hours. Credit earned through the prior learning portfolio is ungraded and does not affect the student’s grade point average. Portfolio credit does count as ETSU residence credit.