Bachelor of Integrated Studies

• General Information
• University/General Regulations

General Information

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS), an innovative degree completion program, was developed in response to the needs of adult learners. BIS students will have some post-secondary educational experience (such as certificate or diploma programs, or partially completed degree programs); and may have achieved equivalent university study through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of university-level learning achieved through work, life and education experiences.

The BIS is particularly designed for part-time study. Mid-career adults may consider this program for a variety of reasons including a change in professional direction, advancement within their career, or seeking a personal or professional challenge. To help adult learners achieve their specific personal, educational and professional goals, the program will integrate their university-level educational background and career and personal objectives with an approved plan of study.

Expected Outcomes

Although each individual program of study may include learning outcomes specific to that plan, student-learning outcomes that are general to the BIS degree program include:

• Communication skills: graduates will be able to listen or read, synthesize, draw conclusions and effectively communicate the results in both oral and written form.
• Critical and analytical thinking: graduates will be able to absorb and analyze complex material from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
• Problem solving: because of their increased ability to critically analyze the complexities of an issue or problem from multiple perspectives, graduates will have developed the ability to make discerning judgments and decisions.
• Intellectual and research skills: graduates will have generalized intellectual and research skills, which will also develop the student’s capacity for lifelong learning.
• Interdisciplinary leadership: graduates will be able to set a direction, create and maintain commitment to that direction, and face adaptive challenges. As well, graduates will have an interdisciplinary awareness of current social, political, and economic concerns, the leadership qualities required to assume the challenges of citizenship, and the capabilities to facilitate change.

This degree program is jointly coordinated and administered through a partnership with Renaissance College (the Faculty), and the College of Extended Learning (CEL). Renaissance College (RC), with its strength in interdisciplinary and leadership programs and with its emphasis on learning portfolios and outcomes-based learning, is responsible for the academic oversight of the BIS program (admissions, transfer credit review, curriculum changes, graduation and portfolio approvals). The College of Extended Learning, with its expertise in adult learning, distance education, workplace learning, and prior learning assessment provides the infrastructure and the administrative support for the program. The UNBF Faculties contribute expertise in the areas of the students’ chosen Minor programs and in Prior Learning Assessments.

University/General Regulations

The General University Regulations covered in Section B of this Calendar will govern any point not covered by the General Regulations of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies. Questions concerning the application of regulations should be directed in writing to the Registrar.

Normally, applicants to the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program without a prior degree must meet the following requirements:

• Have acquired a minimum of 30 credit hours of transferable credit of post-secondary study. Transferable credit may also include credit awarded through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
• Out of high school a minimum of seven (7) years.
• As a final step in the Admission process, complete an interview with the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Coordinator to assess their suitability for the program.

Potential applicants with a degree should refer to existing regulations in the UNB Calendar regarding second degrees and should consult the BIS Coordinator.

To earn a Bachelor in Integrated Studies a student must complete a minimum 120 credit hours that include the following requirements:

1. University Minor: A required element of the BIS program is a University Minor or the equivalent. Specialization in a discipline or subject area through a minor complements the interdisciplinary nature of the BIS program. UNB Minors are administered and approved by UNB Faculties. Externally obtained minors must meet UNB guidelines for Minors and have an equivalent content and quality level to those offered by UNB. In cases where the students' particular interests and qualifications warrant a minor in Interdisciplinary studies, this can be approved by the Faculty of Renaissance College in consultation with the College of Extended Learning. 
   
   
2. Leadership Component: To build program coherence and to explore interdisciplinary and integrated learning approaches to issues, each learner will normally complete at least 15 credit hours of interdisciplinary courses through Renaissance College within the first two years of study. This will provide them with a Certificate in Leadership studies (see Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership – Certificate in Leadership Studies in the Undergraduate Calendar). By adding three additional leadership related courses through Renaissance College, students can obtain a Minor in Leadership Studies (see Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership – Minor in Leadership studies). This will not replace the requirements of the BIS minor.
   
   At minimum you need to successfully complete the following RCLP courses: RCLP 1001 , RCLP 1011 , RCLP 1062 , RCLP 2001 , RCLP 3030 .
   
   
3. Individualized Plan of study: Adult learners admitted to the BIS will meet with the BIS Coordinator to design a plan of study that builds upon their interests and previous academic study, and that meets the program requirements. 
   
   Each individual plan of study includes a statement of objectives written by the learner, a list of courses previously taken and to be taken during the upcoming academic year, a summary of BIS program requirements, and a description of how each component will contribute to achieving the student’s learning objectives. Each learner’s plan of study must be approved by Renaissance College. 
   
   
4. Personal learning portfolio: Two distinct elements of the BIS portfolio are required for graduation. The first is successful completion of RCLP 3030 , the BIS learning portfolio course. This 3ch course introduces learners to the BIS learning outcomes, reflective writing, and experiential learning as a foundation for developing their learning portfolios. BIS students take this course early in their program. The second element is a personal learning portfolio that learners continue to develop throughout their studies. The development of the learning portfolio begins with the Admission application process, and if applicable, the applicants' prior learning assessment. A portfolio review takes place annually to allow learners to recognize and reflect on progress toward their objectives and the BIS learning outcomes. Finally, learners must submit their completed portfolio to the Faculty in the semester prior to their expected graduation for evaluation. Learners' portfolios are then evaluated to ensure they contain a substantial meta-analysis and documentation of key learning events and activities and their contribution to both personal growth and competency in relation to the BIS learning outcomes.
   
   
5. Elective credits: The balance of the BIS program is comprised of elective courses that students select based on individual goals and interests identified in their study plans.
   
   
6. Students must complete a minimum of 39 credit hours (one-third of the program) at the 3000 and/or 4000 level.
   
   
7. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
   
   
8. Normally students will complete a minimum of 45 credit hours of the program at UNB. The Registrar in consultation with Renaissance College and the College of Extended Learning may waive this provision.
   
   
9. Any course taken or transferred to satisfy any of the requirements for a BIS degree must be passed with a minimum grade of C. A maximum of twelve (12) credit hours from courses with a final grade D can transfer as elective credit only and must be from a field in which a grade of D is considered to be a passing grade.

The standing RC BIS Committee (composed of one RC faculty member, the BIS Coordinator and the RC College Coordinator) will review and make recommendations to RC Dean or Council for approval of PLA, transfer credit, periodic plans of study and graduation.