BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTEGRATED STUDIESDegree Completion Program

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Finish your degree at your own pace for less than you think.

Military Ready

Bellarmine has a dedicated Office of Military & Veteran Services for support and services and is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program with no cap. We offer discounted $250 per hour tuition rate for active duty, reserve, and guard service members.

Visit Office of Military and Veterans Services page ›

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Finish Your Degree at Bellarmine.

Career success requires preparation to encounter the unexpected, see the familiar in new ways, and address problems with creativity. Bellarmine's B.A. in Integrated Studies is built to cultivate these skills. Choose from three available tracks: CommunicationOrganizational Leadership and Information Technology.

Designed for adult students with some prior college credit who desire an accelerated online path to finishing their bachelor’s degree. To qualify for the program, students should meet one or more of the following life criteria. You may be eligible if you are 24 or older, or:

  • Have professional work experience
  • Are a veteran, reserve, or active duty member of the U.S. military
  • Are married or care for one or more dependents, including children or parents
  • Have completed an Associate Degree
  • Have stopped out of college for 2 or more years

 

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Finish faster than you may think

Transfer-friendly policies help you apply earned credit directly towards your degree. Earn up to 30 credits* for learning you’ve developed through professional, military, volunteer, training and other life experiences. Former Bellarmine students will find new credit requirements make it faster to complete your degree.

*A prior learning portfolio may help students earn their degree faster but is not required for admission. We can help you determine eligibility.

Email Laura Hartford, Program Director ›

Student Support and Services

You can do this, and we’ll be there to help you each step of the way! Whether you enroll full-time or simply take a class, degree completion students receive all of the benefits of joining the Bellarmine Community:

  • Through our OnCourse program, the cost of textbooks and most class materials is included in tuition
  • Personalized and professional advising to help you map out your individual academic plan.
  • An online orientation experience to help you explore campus resources, meet faculty and learn successful strategies to balance your return to college with your busy life.
  • Academic support through the Student Success Center including tutoring and writing centers.
  • Free counseling and health services with flexible hours, face-to-face and online, including free 24/7 health care video visits with Norton Healthcare
  • Access to all campus resources such as the SuRF Recreational Center, Library, Office of Health Services and Accessibility Resource Center.
  • Exceptional professional development services through the Career Development Center, including personal career counseling; one-on-one and group information sessions; a robust Alumni mentorship program; and access to employers through job listings, career fairs, internships and other opportunities.
  • A dedicated Office of Military and Veteran Services ranked among the best in the region.
  • Free Microsoft Office accounts: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others
  • A one-credit hour, tuition-free course to help you start earning credit and prepare for your successful return to college. This free class is a perfect way to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to start you back on your path to a four-year degree.

Credit for Prior Learning

Bellarmine values the life experience you bring to our university. You can earn up to 60 credit hours for prior and experiential learning. There are many Prior Learning credit options, in addition to any transfer and dual credit you may have earned.

Standardized Exams: Bellarmine offers up to 36 credit hours for successful scores on external exams including AP, IB, Cambridge AICE, CLEP, DANTES DSST, and FLATS, among others. Test score requirements can be found here or discussed with your advisor.

Prior Learning Portfolios: You may be able to earn up to 30 credits for learning you’ve developed through professional, military, volunteer, training and other life experiences. We offer Degree Completion students a course to help with portfolio development.

What will I be studying?

Degree completion students can choose one of three tracks within the Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies. Rooted in the liberal arts tradition of examining the world from diverse perspectives, Bellarmine's Integrated Studies degree draws from a variety of disciplines to form a comprehensive course of study that prepares students for successful career advancement. Students can choose from three tracks within the major: CommunicationOrganizational Leadership and Information Technology.

 

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements:

  • A total of 120 semester hours, of which at least 30 must be taken at Bellarmine University.
  • At least 24 semester hours at the 300 and 400-level, exclusive of General Education requirements.
  • 31-32 credit hours of required courses from the Communication, Organization Leadership or Information Technology tracks and a 1-3 credit hour Integrated Studies Capstone course. See details below.
  • Students must meet Bellarmine's General Education requirements. Those entering Bellarmine with transfer credit should refer to Bellarmine's transfer policy in the university course catalog or contact the Admission Office at: admissions@bellarmine.edu

Communication Track

COMMUNICATION TRACK

31 credit hours

Communication plays a significant role in shaping society, business, and culture. Understanding communication across diverse and changing forms of media is essential to success in a wide range of careers. The Communication Track in Integrated studies provides training in the many facets of human communication, including the skills needed to write and create effectively in new and emerging media, and the wisdom to become ethical trailblazers and agents of social change.

  • BUSA 103, Introduction to Business
  • COMM 138, Digital Production Studio
  • COMM 200, Media and Society, or COMM 205, Business Communication
  • COMM 302, Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 309, Technical Writing
  • COMM 313, Intercultural Communication
  • COMM 400, Communication Ethics
  • PSYC 103, Introductory Psychology 
  • PSYC 318, Intro to Industrial and Organizational Psychology,
  • or PSYC 402, Organizational Behavior
  • Communication Track Elective (3 credit hours)
  • Integrated Studies Capstone (INTS-490, 1-3 credit hours) 

    Organizational Leadership Track

    ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP TRACK

    31 credit hours

    Outstanding leadership is a crucial ingredient in any organization’s success. The Organizational Leadership track in Integrated Studies provides training in communication, management, and evidence-based understandings of human behavior, preparing students for careers as effective and ethical leaders.

    • BUSA 103, Introduction to Business
    • BUSA 301, Principles of Management 
    • COMM 200, Media and Society, or COMM 205, Business Communication 
    • COMM 302, Interpersonal Communication 
    • COMM 313, Intercultural Communication
    • ECON 110, Principles of Macroeconomics  
    • PSYC 103, Introductory Psychology 
    • PSYC 318, Intro to Industrial and Organizational Psychology 
    • PSYC 402, Organizational Behavior 
    • Organizational Leadership Elective (3 credit hours) 
    • Integrated Studies Capstone (INTS-490, 1-3 credit hours) 

      Information Technology Track

      INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRACK

      32 credit hours

      The economic and moral health of our society depends on the ability to interpret and manage information with efficiency and wisdom. The IT track in Integrated Studies gives students the practical skills they need to understand and manage today's computer-based information systems, and the critical-reflective capacities to do so humanely. This track is grounded in the humanities and social sciences while providing additional depth in computer science, data management, and business administration.

      • BUSA 103, Introduction to Business
      • BUSA 245, Managing Information Tech
      • COMM 302, Interpersonal Communication or COMM 313, Intercultural Communication
      • CS 150, Computer Programming for the Liberal Arts
      • CS 339, Information Systems Design and Analysis
      • ECON 110, Principles of Macroeconomics 
      • MATH 205 Elementary Statistics
      • PHIL 434, Technology, Ethics and Society
      • PSYC 103, Introductory Psychology
      • PSYC 318, Intro to Industrial and Organizational Psychology
      • Integrated Studies Capstone (INTS-490, 1-3 credit hours)

        Meet Your Team

        The faculty and staff supporting degree completion students are committed to helping you throughout your Bellarmine experience, from admissions to graduation. If you have questions or need assistance, you have a dedicated point person in offices across campus. Don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone on your team.

        Laura HartfordLaura Hartford, Degree Completion
        Director
        lhartford@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-7988
        Norton Art Building, Room 203

        Justin KlassenJustin Klassen, Integrated Studies
        Department Chair
        jklassen@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-8178
        Alumni Hall Room 112

        Tim SturgeonTim Sturgeon, Admissions
        Special Assistant to Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Communication
        tsturgeon@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-8131
        Centro McGowan Hall Room 062

        Amy SiegelAmy Siegel, Student Success Center
        Senior Academic Advisor
        asiegel@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-8289
        W.L. Lyons Brown Library Room B13

        Alie WillerAlie Willer, Financial Aid
        Assistant Director
        awiller@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-7923
        Centro Horrigan Hall Room 213D

        Lindsey GargottoLindsey Gargotto, Military and Veteran Services
        Director
        lgargotto@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-7027
        W.L. Lyons Brown Library Room 211

        Jackie McNattJackie McNatt, Career Development
        Associate Director
        jmcnatt@bellarmine.edu
        502-272-8242
        Centro McGowan Hall Room 090

        How to Apply

        Applying to the Degree Completion program is free and simple. All you will need is:

        • A completed online application form (https://www.bellarmine.edu/admissions/applyNow/).
        • An official college transcript mailed directly from each college attended
        • If you’ve earned fewer than 60 hours of college credit, and that credit is from a college or university other than Bellarmine, we may request an official copy of your high school transcript, GED or home school diploma and/or a 200-word essay sharing your personal or professional goals. We will contact you if these are needed as part of your application review.

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        Contact Information

        Tim Sturgeon
        Special Assistant to the VPEMC
        E-mail