Bachelor of Individualized Studies Degree (B.I.S.)

This degree is designed for those students whose goals and objectives require more flexibility than is provided by the more conventional structured programs. In consultation with an advisor the student plans an academic program which must be submitted to the Committee on Individualized Studies for approval. This degree may not satisfy requirements for admission to some graduate programs or for professional employment.

General Education Requirements ..........33-42 Semester Credit Hours
University Program Requirements (27 - 30 hours)
Competency Requirements (3-12 hours)

Area Studies.......... 18 Semester Credit Hours
In addition to University Program Requirements, 18 hours of area requirements must be met as follows: 6 hours in Humanities, 6 hours in Natural Sciences, 6 hours in Social Sciences.

Specialized Studies.......... 64-73 Semester Credit Hours

No more than a total of 27 hours may be taken from the College of Business Administration and counted towards graduation unless the student is majoring in the College of Business Administration.

Minimum Total for Graduation.......... 124 Semester Credit Hours

To graduate from CMU you must complete a minimum of 124 hours, at least 40 of which must be in courses numbered 300 or above. Please note: The combination of some majors and minors may require more than 124 hours for graduation.

You should read the requirements for graduation in this Bulletin for a complete description .

Special procedures for earning this degree: 
The B.l.S. student selects an advisor who assists in planning an academic program which is submitted to the Committee on Individualized Studies for preliminary approval at least 45 semester hours before graduation. The program plan must include the goals and objectives of the course of study and methods of attaining them, including such things as senior papers and written and oral examinations. 

A final plan, including a complete list of courses, must be approved by the Committee on Individualized Studies 30 semester hours prior to graduation. 

Students are required to earn at least 30 of the final 45 semester hours of credit on the CMU campus. 

Further information concerning the Individualized Studies Program is available from the B.l.S. program advisor. Please consult the “Class Schedule” published each semester for the advisor’s name and office location, or call the Academic Senate office, (989) 774-3350. The advisor also supplies forms for applying for preliminary and final approval for the degree program.

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