Bachelor of Integrated Studies (General Studies)

Offered by Murray State University

Program description
Admission requirements
Prerequisites
Tuition, fees & financial aid
Residency & activity requirements

Program Description

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly five million adults were enrolled in colleges across the country in 1997. From 1999-2010, NCES projects an increase of nine percent in students aged 25 and older. Murray State’s BIS program is a response to this revolution in higher education, demonstrating its commitment to provide opportunities for life-long learning to all. Murray State University’s Gateway Program grants students an alternative baccalaureate degree, the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS). Adults find the Gateway Program appealing because of its flexible degree requirements and alternative methods of earning additional credits. The Gateway program is an alternative degree program for adults who already have college credits. The program is best for students established in careers who do not need an academic credential for a new career. It also works well for students who desire a liberal-arts education and for some who plan to enter graduate programs. This program is offered online in cooperation with KCTCS and KYVU. Being online serves experienced students whose opportunities to attend classes are limited. Correspondence, television, portfolio and departmental challenge credits may be earned. A unique and attractive feature of the program allows students earning the BIS degree to create their own field of study emphasis. The BIS degree provides exposure to a liberal arts curriculum supported by research methods and field of study.

Throughout the program, careful planning and advising insure that students with the BIS degree are fully qualified to enter graduate programs. Graduates of this program have gained admission to law school and to graduate programs in economics, business, english, and psychology.

For more information, contact:
Marla Poyner & Dan Lavit

BIS Adviser

1.800.669.7654

bis.murraystate.edu

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Admission Requirements

You MUST be admitted to Murray State University to take courses in this program. To be admitted to the BIS program a person must: be admissible to Murray State as an undergraduate student have at least 60 semester hours of college credits (check with Murray State for transfer and readmission requirements ) attained the age of twenty-one consult with Marla Poyner, BIS adviser, to discuss degree plan. Fill out a BIS application form and return it to BIS Program, Murray State University, 303 Sparks Hall, Murray, KY 42071-3312, along with a check for the application fee payable to Murray State University. The application fee is nonrefundable. Please visit http://ceao.murraystate.edu/BIS/bis.htm to download an admission application/ Have the following sent to BIS Program, Murray State University, 303 Sparks Hall, Murray, KY 42071-3312: Your completed application for admission Official transcripts from all colleges attended Official ACT test score reports Official high school transcript or GED test score If you already have more that twenty-four semester hours of college credits, you need not submit high school transcripts or ACT test scores. You can be admitted to the BIS program only if you have 12 or more semester hours of college credits. Consult Marla Poyner to decide if the program meets your educational goals and work out a degree plan. Gain admission to Murray State University from the Admissions and Registrar’s Office.

Note: Internet access and an active e-mail account are required for this program.

How to Apply for Admission:
http://ceao.murraystate.edu/bis/

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Academic Prerequisites

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Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

Tuition Information:

Student	Full-time	Part-time
KY Resident	SPRING 2009: $301.00 per credit hour; $903.00	SPRING 2009: $301.00 per credit hour; $903.00
Non-KY Resident	SPRING 2009: $301.00 per credit hour; $903.00	SPRING 2009: $301.00 per credit hour; $903.00

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Residency & Activity Requirements

Required Activities:

Residency Requirements:
32 semester hours must be completed through Murray State University. The kinds of credits that apply are listed below: MSU Classes, including online MSU-sponsored telecourse MSU correspondence courses MSU credits earned by departmental challenge exams MSU credits earned by independent learning contracts Some students have completed the residency requirement without coming on campus, especially those who have already learned technical procedures taught in MSU classes; for example, computer programming. Another means of reducing in-class time is the learning contract, which is better adapted for liberal arts subjects than for subjects requiring supervised lab experiences. The BIS program is not well adapted for students who need new learning in order to meet the entry-level requirements of a new job specialization.

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