BIS FAQs

The BIS degree program is designed to provide adult learners access to a University of Virginia undergraduate degree. Flexible course load, synchronous discussion-oriented online evening courses and select asynchronous classes are available. Small class size, supportive faculty, and faculty advising are all key features that contribute to student success. 

At UVA, you can choose from multiple, flexible learning pathways to achieve your preferred balance of convenience and personal connection and ensure your education fits into your life. Learning options include:

Live, Online Together: 

Learn primarily in live online evening classes. If an issue occasionally arises, students can coordinate with professors for recordings and guided follow-up work.

Online, On Your Schedule:

Learn primarily on your schedule with course materials while meeting structured deadlines. Supplement by optional live online engagement.

Once you are accepted into the BIS degree program, you will be assigned to an academic advisor who will help you with course selection and guide you throughout the program to help ensure your success.

Transfer credit may be awarded for qualifying scores on select Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. UVA does not award transfer credit for the DSST (formerly DANTES) examinations or for life/work experience. 

The time it takes to complete your degree depends on how many transferable credits at admission and number of courses you take each semester. However, students must complete the program within seven years. On average, students complete the program within 3-4 years.

What you do with the degree depends upon your personal and/or professional goals. Some BIS students pursue graduate studies, a new profession, advancement in their current profession, or complete the program for personal enrichment. 

Writing is an essential component of the BIS degree program and you can expect to write in all of your classes. However, BIS provides support to strengthen your writing with a first-term course focused on writing skills, in addition to providing access to a Director of Student Success and the Writing Center, which offers many opportunities, including one-on-one appointments, to help students be successful in their writing. 

You will earn a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree and pursue one of the following concentrations: Art and Society, Business, Cybersecurity Analysis, Early Childhood, Healthcare Management, History and Politics, Individualized, Cloud Solutions and Operations, Information Technology, Liberal Arts, Psychology, Public Safety and Writing. Each concentration has different requirements.

No. The early childhood concentration does not provide a Virginia teaching license. It does prepare you to advance to a master of teaching program – such as the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development’s nationally-recognized Master of Teaching – or pursue various alternative routes to teacher licensure in Virginia or elsewhere. Careful advising throughout BIS will support you to ensure that you have the coursework needed to pursue these options. For additional information or questions, please contact Courtney Sullivan, our partner in UVA's School of Education and Human Development.

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management.

These degrees are awarded by the University of Virginia, and graduates of these programs are entitled to the same privileges and opportunities available to all students who have earned degrees from the University of Virginia.

There is no "typical" degree student. They come in all ages and live throughout Virginia, the region, and the nation. They are just as likely to be married with children, as to be single. A large number of our students are working professionals. Our students find support from their faculty and peers as they meet the challenges of balancing the demands of family, work, and school. The one thing they have in common: to earn a UVA degree.

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies is committed to maintaining classes small enough for students to consult with faculty about class work on an individual basis and to participate fully in class discussions and presentations. Many classes have fewer than 20 students.

Our degree programs are designed to meet the needs of the adult learner. Each student is assigned a program or faculty advisor who meets with the student before spring, summer, and fall registration to discuss course selection for the upcoming terms. Students also are encouraged to contact their advisors at any other time for assistance with their academic program. In addition to supportive staff and faculty, our students have access to many of the resources at UVA including extensive audio-visual library collections, career counseling, and job search support, as well as technical support.

Yes! Past participants in the FBI National Academy or UVA’s National Criminal Justice Command College may use their existing undergraduate coursework toward admission requirements, degree elective requirements or degree concentration requirements. SCPS staff will assist you in determining the best application of those credits.

You will need to provide unofficial transcripts for any past courses taken through UVA (including the FBI National Academy or the National Criminal Justice Command College) with your application. Those unofficial transcripts can be easily accessed here. You do not, however, need to request the official transcripts for UVA-administered courses as they will be provided by SCPS administration during the application process.

In addition to 36-60 transferable credits, you must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA from the last college or university you attended. Beyond that, admissions evaluators will review your recommendation and entrance essays. Evaluators look for strong writing skills, solid academic performance, and the ability and motivation to succeed. Request a transfer credit evaluation.

Yes. We have admission counselors who will be happy to discuss the program and review your transcripts before you submit your application. Connect with our recruitment specialists by email or by appointment to learn more about the program. Or, connect with our pre-admission advising team for more detailed information on transfer credits and your education history. 

Yes. Federal financial aid is available to BIS students, and the Student Financial Services office helps with this. There are also scholarship opportunities and payment plans.  Learn more.

In “Online, on your time” or “Asynchronous” learning, students will engage in course material primarily on their schedule while meeting structured deadlines, such as due dates for discussion responses and assignments. Students can supplement classes with optional live, online engagements planned by instructors.

In “Live, online together” or “Synchronous” learning, students learn primarily in live, online evening classes. If an issue occasionally arises that causes the student to miss a class, students can coordinate with professors for recordings and guided follow-up work.

When you apply to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree program, you will indicate your preference for learning “live, online” (synchronous) or “online, on your schedule” (asynchronous) in the application. 

Yes, you can change your mind. While you cannot change class format during a class, you can request to change your format in advance of a class beginning. Current students should connect with their adviser for assistance. 

Please email scpsinquiry@virginia.edu or call (800) 346-3882 and we will be glad to assist you.

Yes! Our “asynchronous” courses allow you to interact with materials largely on your schedule, while meeting structured deadlines. These courses also include instructor-planned opportunities for students to join together online for connection, deeper learning, and to answer questions. While specifics will look different in each course, these opportunities will allow you to form the lifelong bonds and friendships our Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree is known for. 

 If a true conflict arises, you should coordinate with your professor ahead of time. Live class participation is the expectation, within reason. 

Core courses are available to students in both “Online, on your time” and “Live, online together” formats. Live, online together classes are currently available for all concentrations. Online, on your time classes in the Information Technology, Cybersecurity Analysis, Cloud Computing and Early Childhood concentrations will be available in Fall 2026, with classes in remaining concentrations coming soon after. 

1. Regardless of whether you choose to learn primarily “Live, online together” or “Online, on your time,” we recommend taking a maximum of two classes in your first semester. After the first semester, most students elect to take between 1-3 classes per semester based on what they are managing outside of school in their personal and professional lives. Students must stay within University credit limits specified for undergraduates.

Canvas is the online learning management system used at UVA. All of your class materials, online meetings, and assignments will be there. Prior to your first day of class, you will receive instructions on how to log in. You can learn more about our Online Learning experience for students on this page.

Whether you have issues with Canvas, connections, passwords, or software, the UVA Information Technology Services team has you covered. You can chat, call or email for support and expect a quick response no matter the time of day or day of week.

1. Asynchronous course materials are available on Canvas, and some may be linked from outside streaming platforms. However, the course materials (recordings) are not available for use outside of the class setting.