Bachelor in Interdisciplinary Studies
The Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program is a flexible, interdisciplinary program designed for students who want a degree tailored to their own career goals. This program allows students, in consultation with an academic advisor, to select two concentrations and general electives that help students develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prepare them for their career. A final capstone project requires the integration of the various courses around a common theme. The two concentrations and two capstone courses comprise the 36-credit major.
The BIS program also provides a foundation for those who desire to pursue graduate studies in a program that does not require a discipline-specific undergraduate degree.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for the Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
Graduates of the Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies program will be able to:
- PLO 1: Demonstrate the ability to integrate biblical concepts and principles with inter-concentration specific topics and domains.
- PLO 2: Develop professional competencies in two concentrations and in the integration of those concentrations.
- PLO 3: Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
- PLO 4: Analyze inter-concentration specific issues, practices, and trends using appropriate research concepts and processes.
- PLO 5: Demonstrate critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
- PLO 6: Apply principles of Christian ethics in response to ethical dilemmas and issues within inter-concentration contexts.
The Los Angeles Pacific University Core comprises the General Education requirements and the LAPU Distinctives. Students are encouraged to complete the Core before beginning their major requirements. General Education requirements may be met by transfer work. The LAPU Distinctives are required for all undergraduate degrees at LAPU.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 25 | |
| LAPU Distinctives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
General Education
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English Communication | ||
| COMM 105 | Public Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 105 | Introduction to Academic Research and Writing | 3 |
| Arts | ||
| ARTS 110 | Introduction to Art | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| ENGL 115 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| or PHIL 205 | Introduction to Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 210 | Introduction to Ethics | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MATH 105 | Survey of College Mathematics | 3 |
| or MATH 125 | College Algebra | |
| or STAT 280 | Applied Statistics | |
| Behavioral Sciences | ||
| ECON 203 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or PSYC 105 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| HIST 202 | World Civilizations | 3 |
| or HIST 204 | U.S. History from 1865 | |
| or HIST 420 | United States History and the Constitution | |
| Physical and Biological Sciences | ||
| BIOL 230 | Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab | 4 |
| or BIOL 240 | Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab | |
| or CHEM 115 | Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab | |
| or NSCI 150 | Introduction to Astronomy/Lab | |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
LAPU Distinctives
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIBL 100 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy | 3 |
| BIBL 230 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Luke/Acts | 3 |
| ISTU 101 | Success in the University 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
Must be taken at LAPU.
To earn the Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, students must complete the degree components listed below:
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | 34 | |
| Two Concentrations | 30 | |
| Capstone | 6 | |
| Electives | 50 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
In order to earn the Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, students create a personalized study focus by completing two compatible concentrations (comprising at least 30 credits) and two capstone courses, while achieving a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the combined concentrations and capstone courses. There may be at most one course that is common to the two concentrations; an approved substitute course will be required to complete the second concentration.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Core Requirement | 34 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Concentrations Requirement 1 | 30 | |
| Capstone Courses | ||
| ISTU 490 | Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone I | 3 |
| ISTU 495 | Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone II | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Electives Requirement 2 | 50 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Please consult a success coach to determine an appropriate pairing of concentrations.
- 2
Students may choose from any course in the catalog.
- Concentration in Applied Pastoral Counseling
- Concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Concentration in Clinical Psychology
- Concentration in Criminal Behavior
- Concentration in Cultural Psychology
- Concentration in Educational Psychology
- Concentration in General Psychology
- Concentration in Health Education
- Concentration in Healthcare Leadership
- Concentration in Healthcare Management
- Concentration in Human Services
- Concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Concentration in Organizational Dynamics
- Concentration in Organizational Leadership
- Concentration in Psychology in the Healthcare Profession
- Concentration in Public Administration
- Concentration in Public Health
- Concentration in Supply Chain Management
- Customized Concentration