Integrated Professional Studies Online, B.S.

1100 West Market St., Rm. 308
336-315-7792

Muktha Jost, Program Director
Angi Kinsey, BIPS Advisor

Affiliated Faculty

Alan Benson, David Bull, Megan Cayton, Sarah Dunning, Amy Ernstes, Laura Field, Robbie Furter, Marquita Hockaday, Angela Kinsey, Carrie Levesque, Melissa Roberts, Joseph Ross, Megan Rudock, Jeffrey Sarbaum, Jenni Simon, John Stinnett, Frannie Varker, Mike Watson

Overview

Research shows that employers are looking for professionals with a T shape–having the depth in an area of interest and the breadth to see and think from different perspectives. Employers say these skills are lacking in today’s graduates, so the BIPS program was designed to develop them. Students build on existing knowledge in a field while gaining skills that apply to any workplace and any role. The BIPS program offers multiple entry points for new freshman, transfer students as well as change of major students. The core courses in the program contribute to a breadth of knowledge while the courses in a selected ‘area of focus’ offer the depth of knowledge in a discipline. Six core courses build on each other and help identify patterns, interpret data, work collaboratively to solve problems, and make informed decisions. The Capstone at the end of the program provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their learning by creating an electronic portfolio.

The BIPS Difference

The program was designed to meet the needs of all students—from the job seeker to the working professional. All BIPS courses are seven weeks long, and offered online. Also, there are no set class times. There will be set due dates for assignments and projects, but otherwise offers the flexibility for students to pursue their degree without class meetings. At the same time, instructors use a variety of tools to personalize the online classroom.

BIPS is intentionally structured to challenge students to think and learn in new ways, and real-world projects and case studies form the foundation for learning. The focus is on thinking critically, interpreting data, and solving problems, all of which can be used immediately in the workplace.

In addition, students receive customized support designed on the basis of career goals, interests, and transfer credits that creates a clear path to graduation

Overall Requirements

120 credit hours, to include at least 36 credits of courses at the 300 course level or above.
Students must earn grades of C (2.0) or better in all major and related area required courses.

Degree Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
University Requirements
General Education Requirements - Minerva's Academic Curriculum (MAC)

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses		18
IPS 301	Design Thinking
IPS 302	Systems Thinking
IPS 303	Understanding Data
IPS 304	Contemporary Media Literacies
IPS 305	Global Awareness and Intercultural Competence
IPS 306	Self-Awareness
Professional/Career/Industry Area of Focus		12
Select 9 credits from an Area of Focus ^*
IPS 406	Integrative Thinking
Capstone Course		3
IPS 410	Capstone

*: Students select 9 credits as listed or other approved course chosen in consultation with advisor (any course prefix, including IPS). The area of interest can be customized to the student’s professional aspirations.

Areas of Focus

Health and Wellness Occupations

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
CST 341	Communication and Workplace Relationships
GES 301	Cities of the World
GES 302	Urban Geography: Sustainable Land Use
GES 304	Sustainable Transport and Mobility
GES 306	World Economic Geography
HEA 113	Medical Terminology for Public Health Professionals
HHS 275	Entrepreneurial Personal Branding
IPS 401	Selected Topics in Health and Wellness Occupations
IPS 405	Selected Topics in Other Occupations
NUR 390	Culture and Health Care
PCS 308	Working through Interpersonal Conflicts
PCS 309	Conflict and Culture
PCS 415	Global Peacebuilding
PHI 220	Medical Ethics

Service Occupations

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
CST 341	Communication and Workplace Relationships
CTR 451	Service Management
GES 301	Cities of the World
GES 302	Urban Geography: Sustainable Land Use
GES 304	Sustainable Transport and Mobility
GES 306	World Economic Geography
HHS 275	Entrepreneurial Personal Branding
IPS 403	Selected Topics in Service Occupations
IPS 405	Selected Topics in Other Occupations
PHI 361
PCS 308	Working through Interpersonal Conflicts
PCS 309	Conflict and Culture
PCS 415	Global Peacebuilding
PSC 440	Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Arts, Entertainment and Media Occupations

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
BLS 346	The Art of Life
CST 341	Communication and Workplace Relationships
DCE 455	Arts and Entrepreneurship: Career Strategies for Artists
GES 301	Cities of the World
GES 302	Urban Geography: Sustainable Land Use
GES 304	Sustainable Transport and Mobility
GES 306	World Economic Geography
HHS 275	Entrepreneurial Personal Branding
IPS 404	Selected Topics in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Occupations
IPS 405	Selected Topics in Other Occupations
PHI 361
PCS 309	Conflict and Culture
PCS 415	Global Peacebuilding
PSC 440	Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Electives

Electives sufficient to complete 120 total credit hours required for the degree, to include 36 credits at or above the 300 course level.

Integrated Professional Studies (IPS) Courses

IPS 200X Experimental Course 1-6

This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.

IPS 201 Roadmaps to Degree Success 3

Provides foundational information for undergraduate success at UNCG. Concepts for interdisciplinary study and the fundamentals of higher education are included. Fosters development through goal setting and planning exercises.

MAC: MAC Foundations

Prerequisites: Must have fewer than 60 credits to enroll or can enroll by Written Permission.

IPS 275 Entrepreneurial Personal Branding 3

Students will have a better understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, how to use entrepreneurship strategies personally, and how to best brand and uniquely market themselves.

Notes: Same as ENT 275 and HHS 275.

IPS 300X Experimental Course 1-6

This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.

IPS 301 Design Thinking 3

Design Thinking is a creative and pragmatic path to innovation. Students learn a human-centered approach to problem-solving, emphasizing experimental and collaborative learning and real-world applications.

IPS 302 Systems Thinking 3

Overview of theory and processes commonly used to apply systems thinking approaches to addressing complex problems across disciplines, including arts and health. A case study approach facilitates this process.

IPS 303 Understanding Data 3

Students learn to identify, analyze, use, and interpret data to solve problems and make decisions. Interactive data activities, case studies, videos, lectures, and dialogue will facilitate student understanding.

IPS 304 Contemporary Media Literacies 3

Students learn theories of contemporary media literacy in order to interpret and create research products in multiple modes and situated in global contexts.

IPS 305 Global Awareness and Intercultural Competence 3

Interdisciplinary course designed to enhance students' global awareness by introducing them to contemporary global issues while increasing their intercultural competence.

IPS 306 Self-Awareness 3

Development of knowledge and skills to enhance personal success. Focus on self and other awareness and application to career and life goals.

IPS 400X Experimental Course 1-6

This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.

IPS 401 Selected Topics in Health and Wellness Occupations 3

Integration of six universal program competencies applied to the study of selected topics in health and wellness occupations.