Integrated Professional Studies
UNC Greensboro Online
915 Northridge Street
336-315-7044
http://bips.uncg.edu
Karen Bull, Dean, Division of Online Learning
Muktha Jost, Associate Dean, Division of Online Learning
Courtney A. Harrington, Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs, Division of Online Learning
Rationale and Program Objectives
The Integrated Professional Studies program provides an innovative, flexible, transdisciplinary online degree. The degree focuses on the attainment of 21st century work skills identified by employers as critical professional preparation for the jobs of the future. Students will learn and apply core skills to specific professional contexts through case studies and other collaborative projects, and will build a portfolio demonstrating their growth throughout the degree. The professional/career/industry areas of focus enable students to tailor curricula to their specific career goals.
Student Learning Goals
Students completing this program will be able to demonstrate the items listed below.
- Articulate and apply skills earned through a strong liberal education background of a comprehensive general educational program.
- Integrate and apply universal competencies in systems and design thinking, quantitative literacy, and new media literacy to a range of real-world situations.
- Apply self-awareness and global awareness and cultural understanding to a broad range of real-world situations in a rapidly shifting demographic environment.
- Systematically and consistently apply knowledge and skills from the universal competencies to a chosen professional career area of focus (health and wellness; arts, entertainment, and media; service; self-designed) across a range of real-world situations.
IPS 200X Experimental Course 1-6
This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.
IPS 201 BIPS Foundations 3
Provides foundational information for success in the BIPS program. Concepts for interdisciplinary study and the fundamentals of higher education are included. Fosters development through goal setting and planning exercises.
MAC: MAC Foundations
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.
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.
Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
IPS 402 Selected Topics in the Changing Workplace 3
Integration of six universal program competencies applied to the study of selected topics in the changing workplace.
Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
IPS 403 Selected Topics in Service Occupations 3
Integration of six universal program competencies applied to the study of selected topics in service occupations.
Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
IPS 404 Selected Topics in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Occupations 3
Integration of six universal program competencies applied to the study of selected topics in arts, entertainment, and media occupations.
Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
IPS 405 Selected Topics in Other Occupations 3
Integration of six universal program competencies applied to the study of selected topics in other occupations such as education, technology, etc.
Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
IPS 406 Integrative Thinking 3
Integrative Thinking is the intersection of Design Thinking, Systems Thinking, and Understanding Data. These tools and processes are applied together to address complex real-world problems and build evidence-based solutions. Students will use the 4 step integrative-thinking methodology to creatively solve problems building on the critical thinking skills they learned in the BIPS core courses.
IPS 410 Capstone 3
In this course, students will apply and integrate the core competencies they've been immersed in throughout the BIPS program to address a real-world problem that has importance and meaning for them.
Prerequisites: IPS 301, IPS 302, IPS 303, IPS 304, IPS 305, IPS 306, and IPS 406. Integrated Professional Studies major.