Bachelor of ArtsIntegrated Studies

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Prepare for a career in Integrated Studies.

Why earn your integrated studies degree at Bellarmine?

Design a unique program of study tailor-made to your individual interests and career goals, or complete your four-year degree, with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies at Bellarmine.

Whether you are continuing your education or are an incoming first-year student, Bellarmine’s integrated studies program is versatile and adaptable and offers a strong variety of courses to help you reach your career goals and aspirations after graduation.

Bellarmine University’s integrated studies program allows you to customize your learning experience to meet your academic needs and interests. Students who major in integrated studies self-select courses within the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences and foreign language. Our small class sizes help you develop the speaking and writing abilities and critical thinking and reasoning skills that are prized by employers and graduate schools alike.

This is an ideal program for students desiring a truly interdisciplinary education as well as those students transferring to Bellarmine with a diverse range of earned credits.

Program Highlights

Bellarmine provides liberal arts students the opportunity to continue their education or to begin as incoming first-year students. The university is dedicated to maintaining high academic standards to prepare students for their careers immediately after completion. Bellarmine also maintains an interdisciplinary education curriculum that is diverse and engaging for all different types of learners. Students in the program develop self-identity as well as a greater understanding of other cultures and learn how they fit into the world around them.

The goal of the integrated studies program is to teach students to communicate effectively, to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that are adaptable to any number of situations, and to apply ethical considerations to their areas of study.

Students can enhance their learning experience through Bellarmine’s study abroad programs, choosing from 200 programs in 68 countries around the world. The experiences can be used to satisfy some general education requirements towards the major. Studying abroad promotes personal, intellectual and professional growth.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Integrated studies students will be able to articulate in writing and through oral presentations professional communication skills appropriate for their approved individualized plan of study.
  2. Integrated studies students will demonstrate knowledge of critical ethical issues in their area of individualized study.
  3. Integrated studies students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in their area of individualized study by articulating the inter-connections within and between the contributing subject areas associated with their plan of study.

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are required to complete the program?
  1. A total of 120 semester hours, of which at least 30 must be taken at Bellarmine University.
  2. At least 24 semester hours at the 300- and 400-level, exclusive of General Education requirements.
  3. No more than 24 semester hours in a single discipline. A student who transfers to Bellarmine with more than 24 hours in a single discipline may count all of those hours, but no additional hours taken in that discipline may count toward the degree.
Course Requirements:
  • 43 credit hours that satisfy the General Education Requirements
  • 21 credit hours in the Humanities (Art, Communications, English, Global Languages, Music, Philosophy, Theatre, Theology). Gen Ed courses cannot also be used to fulfill this requirement. Credit hours meeting the Global Language Requirement can also apply toward the 21 hours in the Humanities requirement.
  • 15 credit hours in the Social Sciences (Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology). Gen Ed courses cannot also be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • 41 credit hours of Electives

Integrated Studies majors must complete six credits of a foreign language or satisfy the Bellarmine College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts foreign language proficiency requirement. If this requirement is met with the proficiency exam option, students must take additional elective credits in order to meet the 120 overall credit requirement.

What employment opportunities are available with a degree in Integrated Studies?

By focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, a liberal studies degree prepares students for a variety of career options in the areas of business, law, education, communication, psychology, and more. In addition, the degree is great preparation for graduate study, in law school, business school, seminary programs and Master of Fine Arts in writing programs—even medical school.

Do you provide job or internship placement?

Yes. Bellarmine guarantees every student the opportunity to have an internship, develop a career plan and build a professional network.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. Please go to Bellarmine’s financial aid website for detailed information on financial aid packages. Additionally, students can work with our Faculty Development Center to apply for grants and awards outside of the Bellarmine offerings.

How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?

Students have their own learning styles so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend an average of two hours studying for every hour you spend in class.

Career Opportunities

By focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, an integrated studies degree prepares students for a variety of career options in the areas of business, law, education, communication, psychology, and more. In addition, the degree is great preparation for graduate study, in law school, business school, seminary programs and Master of Fine Arts in writing programs—even medical school.

Bellarmine’s Career Development Center can provide support in a variety of ways: career preparation, résumé review, mock interviews and more.

The degree program is also ideal for students who are transferring to Bellarmine with a number of credits in diverse subject areas.

Accreditation

Bellarmine University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees.

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