Integrated Studies, B.S.
University Studies
615-494-7714
Dianna Rust, program coordinator
Dianna.Rust@mtsu.edu
The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degree is an interdisciplinary degree program with instruction offered on the MTSU campus as well as online. This degree is extremely flexible and is an excellent option for students seeking a broad-based educational experience or wanting to custom-design a degree program. Those seeking this accelerated path to graduation choose two areas of emphasis (12 hours each) to meet personal and professional goals. Sample study subjects include child and family studies, communication studies, criminal justice, cultural studies, English or writing, health, human sciences, information technology, journalism or public relations, leadership studies, nutrition, office management, political science, psychology, sociology, teaching and learning, and women's studies.
Students who have accumulated a variety of course credits that are not easily applied to a particular degree program often find that they can be used in this program, allowing them to graduate earlier. Elective course requirements for adult learners are often fulfilled through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, which evaluates college-level learning gained through work, training, certifications, licensure, military, and other programs. Details about the program should be discussed with student's advisor.
Academic Map
Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:
Integrated Studies, B.S., Academic Map
Degree Requirements
General Education (41 hours)
General Education requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.
Major Requirements (31 hours)
- First area of emphasis 12 credit hours
- Second area of emphasis 12 credit hours
PRST 3030 - Senior Career Development Seminar
1 credit hour
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Requires writing for the employment acquisition process including resumes, cover letters, business letters, and employment philosophy statements. Emphasis placed on effective written and verbal communications and media presentations. Explores the career acquisition and development process. Includes networking, effective listening, and business etiquette.
PRST 3995 - Interdisciplinary Research and Problem Solving
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing; B.S. in Integrated Studies and Professional Studies majors only. Offers preparation for the senior capstone (PRST 4995) or practicum (PRST 4997). Explores and applies interdisciplinary research theory and processes. Emphasis on identifying interdisciplinary research problems, determining relevant disciplines, conducting a literature search, evaluating research, properly citing sources in writing, integrating disciplinary insights, and developing research proposal.
PRST 4995 - Senior Capstone
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: PRST 3995; senior standing. A capstone course in which students demonstrate skills and knowledge from the program of study. The capstone includes an academic research paper and an ePortfolio which should demonstrate synthesis of a student's coursework.
PRST 4997 - Practicum for Integrated and Professional Studies
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: PRST 3995; junior or senior level. Provides students with practical work experience in their areas of study. (A minimum of 90 hours is required.) Students will also research a problem and create an ePortfolio as a synthesis of their program of study. Application for the practicum must be made and approved the preceding semester.
Area of Support/Minor (15-18 hours)
Electives
- To make 120 hours
- UNIV 1010 recommended 3 credit hours
- General electives 27-30 credit hours (discuss with advisor)
Total hours in program: 120
Curriculum: Integrated Studies
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
Freshman
ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing
3 credit hours
The first General Education English course. Emphasis on learning to adapt composing processes to a variety of expository and analytic writing assignments. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication
3 credit hours
Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Mathematics 3 credit hours
- Electives 6 credit hours (UNIV 1010 for freshmen or UNIV 2020 for transfer students recommended)
- Area of emphasis 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 31 Hours
Sophomore
ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Traces a specific theme or idea through a number of literary texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts. Subject will vary.
ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. The reading of a variety of literary types which illuminate themes and experiences common to human existence.
HUM 2610 - Foreign Literature in Translation
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Representative works of French, German, and Hispanic authors in English translation. No foreign-language proficiency required. Carries General Education credit.
Choose 6 hours from:
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Area of emphasis 3 credit hours
- Area of support/minor 3 credit hours
- Electives 6 credit hours
Subtotal: 31 Hours
Junior
PRST 3030 - Senior Career Development Seminar
1 credit hour
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Requires writing for the employment acquisition process including resumes, cover letters, business letters, and employment philosophy statements. Emphasis placed on effective written and verbal communications and media presentations. Explores the career acquisition and development process. Includes networking, effective listening, and business etiquette.
PRST 3995 - Interdisciplinary Research and Problem Solving
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing; B.S. in Integrated Studies and Professional Studies majors only. Offers preparation for the senior capstone (PRST 4995) or practicum (PRST 4997). Explores and applies interdisciplinary research theory and processes. Emphasis on identifying interdisciplinary research problems, determining relevant disciplines, conducting a literature search, evaluating research, properly citing sources in writing, integrating disciplinary insights, and developing research proposal.
- Area of emphasis 6 credit hours
- Area of emphasis (UD) 6 credit hours
- Area of support/minor 6 credit hours
- Upper-division electives 6 credit hours
Subtotal: 28 Hours
Senior
- Area of emphasis (UD) 6 credit hours
- Area of support/minor 9 credit hours
- Upper-division electives 9 credit hours
- Elective 3 credit hours
PRST 4995 - Senior Capstone
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: PRST 3995; senior standing. A capstone course in which students demonstrate skills and knowledge from the program of study. The capstone includes an academic research paper and an ePortfolio which should demonstrate synthesis of a student's coursework.
PRST 4997 - Practicum for Integrated and Professional Studies
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: PRST 3995; junior or senior level. Provides students with practical work experience in their areas of study. (A minimum of 90 hours is required.) Students will also research a problem and create an ePortfolio as a synthesis of their program of study. Application for the practicum must be made and approved the preceding semester.
Subtotal: 30 Hours
