Curriculum and Support Resources

Get a feel for what it's like to complete your degree at SCPS

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BIS student Claudia Edmonds studies at her desk

Curious about what your experience would be like as a BIS student at SCPS? Explore information below from resources available to assist you to common academic schedules. If you have questions, reach out; we're here to help. 

Concentrations

Art & Society

The Art and Society concentration is designed for students interested in visual and performing arts and the role of cultural production in society. The concentration will prepare students for work in a variety of fields, such as museum or gallery work, design, media, education, or cultural production. It is also appealing to students who plan to pursue graduate study in the arts or humanities.

Those focusing in the concentration complete 18 credits of concentration courses from an approved list. Students are also required to take two ISLS courses and ISIN 4510 Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Social Sciences and ISIN 4520 Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry: Humanities, at least 24 credits of degree electives, Capstone I and Capstone II.

Degree elective courses must be outside of the Art and Society Concentration. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, business, classics, drama, economics, history, information technology, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.  

A Sampling of BIS in Art and Society Courses:

  • ISHU 3457 Global Architecture
  • ISHU 3500 Photography as Art
  • ISHU 3621 The Biological Basis for Art
  • ISHU 3623 Studio Art Seminar: Painting
  • ISHU 3624 Visual Culture and Aesthetics: the Practice of Seeing
  • ISHU 3626 Studio Art Seminar: Sculpture
  • ISHU 4130 Film Noir
  • ISHU 4161 Art Historical Fictions: Historical Art in Recent film and Fiction
  • ISHU 4165 American Directors
  • ISHU 4311 History of Art Controversies in the United States
  • ISHU 4350 The Films of Stanley Kubrick
  • ISIN 4520 Art in the Ring of Fire (Pacific Rim)
  • ISLS 3610 Renaissance Art
  • ISLS 3620 Ritual and Becoming in the Arts of Africa
  • ISSS 3200 Britain and Its Empire: Art, Media, and Other Cultural Forms
Business

The business concentration includes 18 credits comprised of five required business courses and one required elective business course. Students in the business concentration are also required to take two ISLS courses and two 4000-level ISIN Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry (one in Humanities, and one in Social Sciences) courses, at least 24 credits of degree electives, Capstone I and Capstone II.. 

Students in the business concentration should complete four prerequisite courses (micro and macroeconomics, financial accounting, and statistics) before taking the core business concentration classes. The four prerequisite classes can be completed either as transfer credits or soon after entering the BIS program.

Students may apply 45 credits of business-related courses toward the total 120 credits required for the degree, including business courses that were transferred to UVA prior to enrollment in BIS. 

Required Business Courses

  • ISBU 3410 Commercial Law
  • ISBU 3451 Fundamentals of Marketing
  • ISBU 3610 Organizational Behavior
  • ISBU 3710 Managerial Finance
  • ISBU 3840 International Business

Business electives vary by semester.

Students in the business concentration are also required to take at least 24 credits of degree electives outside of business courses. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, classics, drama, economics, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology. 

Cybersecurity

The concentration in cybersecurity analysis (CSA) includes 18 credits comprised of four required CSA courses and two required elective CSA courses. The concentration is designed to provide new educational and employment opportunities for adult learners seeking to complete their undergraduate degree with a liberal arts education and a professional focus in CSA. Courses develop students’ foundational knowledge and skills in cybersecurity analysis. 

Students in the CSA concentration are also required to take two ISLS courses and two 4000-level ISIN Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry (one in Humanities, and one in Social Sciences) courses.

Required CSA Courses

  • SEC 3010 Securing the Cyber World
  • SEC 3020 Cybersecurity Policy, Law & Ethics
  • SEC 3030 Human Factors in Cybersecurity
  • SEC 3040 Writing & Communications in a Technical Field

Elective CSA Courses

  • SEC 4010 Digital Forensics & Cybercrime
  • SEC 4020 Mobile Security & Forensics
  • SEC 4030 Ethical Hacking
  • IT 3500 Data Analytics & Decision-Making

Students in the CSA concentration are also required to take at least 24 credits of degree electives outside of CSA courses. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, classics, drama, economics, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.

Early Childhood

The concentration in early childhood, offered in partnership with the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development, includes 18 credits comprised of six required courses. The concentration is designed to provide new educational and employment opportunities for adult learners seeking to complete their undergraduate degree with a liberal arts education and a professional focus in early childhood. Courses develop students’ foundational knowledge and skills in early childhood.

Students in the early childhood concentration are also required to take two ISLS courses and two 4000-level ISIN Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry (one in Humanities, and one in Social Sciences) courses, Capstone I and Capstone II.

Required Early Childhood Courses

  • EDIS 3013 Beyond "Bad" Behavior: Supporting Positive Behavior in Early Childhood
  • EDIS 3040 Foundations of Early Childhood & Education
  • EDIS 3045 Mathematics in Early Childhood: Understanding, Assessing & Supporting Development
  • EDIS 3060 Poverty and the Young Child
  • EDIS 4340 Talking the Talk: Supporting Language and Communication in Early Childhood
  • EDIS 4350 Interaction with Intention: Working with Young Children

Students in the early childhood concentration are also required to take at least 24 credits of degree electives outside of early childhood courses. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, classics, drama, economics, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will a concentration in early childhood prepare me to do? 
The early childhood concentration will prepare you to fill a variety of in-demand roles in childcare, pre-school, education administration, and child, family, and school services.  Other options might include careers in research, counseling, or child psychology. Some of these career paths may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree. For those interested in teaching, the concentration will provide excellent preparation for post-graduate programs that provide teacher licensure.

Will the early childhood concentration provide me with a Virginia teaching license?
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.

Can I get a job teaching without a Virginia teaching license?
Private schools may hire teachers without a license, and preschool teachers (working outside the public school system) typically do not need a license.

Can I complete this concentration online?
Yes. The School of Education and Human Development will hold all of the required early childhood courses online, using the Canvas learning management system. All of the early childhood courses will use asynchronous delivery, meaning that students do not need to log in to course activities or materials at a set time of day but can complete work for the classes whenever is convenient for them. Early childhood students will be earning a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree (BIS), which has several other required core and elective courses. These classes are also available online but most BIS core and elective courses are held synchronously, meaning that students will need to log in to the learning management system at a set time each week.  

Do I need to take the early childhood courses in any set order?
All students in the concentration must take “Foundations of Early Childhood Development & Education” first. “Interaction with Intention: Working with Young Children” comes at the end of the program. Students must either have completed other concentration requirements before enrolling in the class or be enrolled in both “Interaction with Intention” and any additional concentration courses they need to complete. Beyond these requirements, students may take concentration courses in any order. 

Health Care Management

The concentration in health care management includes 24 credits comprised of six required health care management courses and two health care management electives. The concentration is designed to provide new educational and employment opportunities for adult learners seeking to complete their undergraduate degree with a liberal arts education and a professional focus in the health care field. Courses develop students’ foundational knowledge and skills in the key areas of health care systems and management. 

Students in the health care management concentration are also required to take two ISLS courses and two 4000-level ISIN Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry (one in Humanities, and one in Social Sciences) courses.

The the courses are online, typically in a synchronous format. The courses are taken concurrently with students in the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management (BPHM).

Required Health Care Management Courses

  • PSHM 3010 Introduction to Healthcare Management: Applying Concepts to Practice
  • PSHM 3080 Legal & Ethical Decision-making in Health Care
  • PSHM 4020 Management of Health Care Organizations
  • PSHM 4300  Introduction to Population Health: Programs, Policies & Epidemiology
  • PSHM 4650 American Health Care: Challenges & Opportunities
  • PSHM 4700 Economics & Finance of Health Care

Elective Health Care Management Courses

Select two or three for a total of six credits.  Electives vary by semester.  

  • PSHM 3050 Current Issues in Health Care (1 credit)
  • PSHM 3330 Introduction to Long-term Care Administration
  • PSHM 4050 Understanding Diversity in Health Care (2 credits)
  • PSHM 3805 Health Information Systems & Applications
  • PSHM 4200 Women’s Health Issues: Access, Treatment & Policy
  • PSHM 4400 Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences
  • PSHM 4600 Service Excellence in Health Care: Quality Improvement & Customer Service
  • HR 4020 Human Resource Management
  • HR 4030 Organizational Change & Development
  • IT 3220 Strategic Business Value of Information Technology

Students in the health care management concentration are also required to take at least 18 credits of degree electives outside of the health care management courses. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, classics, drama, economics, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.

History and Politics

The History and Politics Concentration is designed for students interested in history and politics and their role in society. The concentration prepare students for work in a variety of fields, including communication, research, advocacy, government, business, law, and education. It is also be suitable for those who plan to pursue a graduate study in history, politics, or other fields in the humanities and social sciences. 

Those focusing in History and Politics complete 18 credits of concentration courses. Students are also required to take two ISLS courses and ISIN 4510 Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Social Sciences and ISIN 4520 Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry: Humanities, at least 24 credits of degree electives, Capstone I and Capstone II.

Degree elective courses must be outside of the History and Politics Concentration. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, business, classics, drama, economics, information technology, music, philosophy, religion, and sociology. 

A Sampling of BIS in History and Politics Courses:

  • ISHU 4011 That Devil Music: A Cultural History of Blues Music in the US
  • ISIN 4510 The Atlantic World
  • ISLS 3010 Nationalism and National Identity
  • ISLS 3211 Russian Politics
  • ISLS 3295 US History Through the Virginia Experience
  • ISLS 4251 Exploring Modern US History: A Research Methods Course
  • ISSS 3050 Evolution of International Relations
  • ISSS 3810 The American Presidency
  • ISSS 3382 History of Genocide
  • ISSS 3383 Dark Side of the Twentieth Century
  • ISSS 3850 Media and Politics
  • ISSS 4005 Irregular Warfare: Terrorists, Insurgents, and Transnational Criminals
  • ISSS 4010 The Second World War: Experience of Total War
  • ISSS 4020 Europe after 1945
  • ISSS 4060 War and World Politics
  • ISSS 4290 An Alternative History of Early America
  • ISSS 4292 Liberalism and Conservatism in Modern America
Information Technology

The concentration in information technology (IT) includes 18 credits comprised of five required IT courses and one required elective IT course. The concentration is designed to provide new educational and employment opportunities for adult learners seeking to complete their undergraduate degree with a liberal arts education and a professional focus in IT. Courses develop students’ foundational knowledge and skills in information technology.

Students in the IT concentration are also required to take two ISLS courses and two 4000-level ISIN Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry (one in Humanities, and one in Social Sciences) courses. 

Required IT Courses

  • IT 3220 Strategic Business Value of Information Technology
  • IT 3230 Basics of Web Design
  • IT 3240 Enterprise Systems Architecture and Design
  • IT 3400 Database Management and Business Intelligence/Analytics
  • IT 4400 Web Application Development – Building Dynamic Websites

Elective IT Courses

  • IT 3210 Programming with Java
  • IT 3350 Agile Project Management
  • IT 3600 Business Analytics for Decision Making
  • SEC 3010 Securing the Cyber World

Students in the IT concentration are also required to take at least 24 credits of degree electives outside of IT courses. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, classics, drama, economics, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology. 

Liberal Arts

The liberal arts concentration includes 18 credits in the humanities and social sciences disciplines that include anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, classics, drama, economics, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.

Students are also required to take two ISLS courses and ISIN 4510 Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Social Sciences and ISIN 4520 Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry: Humanities. They are also required to take at least 24 credits of degree electives.

Psychology

The Psychology Concentration provides students with foundational knowledge and competencies in the field of psychology and creates a pathway for BIS students seeking professional opportunities in psychology and related fields such as mental health, social work, child care, and counseling. It is also be suitable for those who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology, counseling, social work, or other fields. 

Those focusing in Psychology complete 18 credits of concentration courses. Students are also required to take two ISLS courses and ISIN 4510 Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Social Sciences and ISIN 4520 Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry: Humanities, at least 24 credits of degree electives, Capstone I and Capstone II. Students in the psychology concentration should complete Introduction of Psychology or its equivalent before taking the core psychology concentration classes. This prerequisite can be completed either as transfer credits or soon after entering the BIS program.

Degree elective courses must be outside of the Psychology Concentration. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, business, classics, drama, economics, history, information technology, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.  

Below are the required courses for the Psychology Concentration:

  • ISSS 3410 - Abnormal Psychology: Disorders and Treatment
  • ISSS 3411 - Personality Psychology: Theory and Application
  • ISSS 3416 - Social Psychology in Modern Society
  • ISSS 4430 -Topics in Developmental Psychology
  • ISSS 4431 - Cognitive Psychology: Theory and Experiment
  • one required elective Psychology course
Writing

The BIS Writing Concentration is designed for students who wish to focus on critical reading, writing and literature. The concentration prepares students for work in a variety of fields, including technical, professional, and grant writing, as well as communications, digital media, marketing, publishing, and management. It is also suitable for students who plan to pursue graduate study in writing (both creative and professional), law, and the humanities.  

Students focusing in Writing complete 18 credits of concentration courses. Students are also required to take two ISLS courses and ISIN 4510 Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Social Sciences and ISIN 4520 Special Topics in the Conduct of Inquiry: Humanities, 24 - 39 credits of degree electives, Capstone I and Capstone II.

Degree elective courses must be outside of the Writing Concentration. These vary by semester and may include courses in disciplines such as anthropology, art, art history, architectural history, business, classics, drama, economics, history, information technology, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.  

BIS in Writing Courses:

  • ISHU 3130 The Writing Side of Children’s Literature
  • ISHU 3170 The Writer as the Cartographer: A Class in Poetry and Memoir
  • ISHU 3180 Roots and Stems of Effective Writing: the Essay
  • ISHU 3183 Writing the Story of Your Life: Creative Nonfiction
  • ISHU 3193 Writing about the Environment
  • ISHU 3240 20th Century American Literature
  • ISHU 3251 Creative Writing: Poetry Workshop
  • ISHU 3260 Contemporary American American Fiction
  • ISHU 3330 Write Where You Are
  • ISHU 3383 The Dark Side of the 20th Century
  • ISHU 4090 Writing: Comfortable as a Hearth Rug
  • ISHU 4120 The American Short Story: The Writer and Tradition
  • ISHU 4170 African American Novels
  • ISHU 4171 African American Literature: 1845 - Present
  • ISHU 4180 The Nature of the Hero and How to Create One
  • ISHU 4190 Writing Strategies
  • ISIN 4510 The World of Jane Austen: Exploring the Novels in Historical Context
  • ISIN 4520 Literature in the Digital Age
  • ISLS 3210 The Frost is Hard-Edge and Quick: Metaphor - Making a Final Unity
  • ISLS 3250 The Notion and the Heft of Home
  • ISLS 3300 The Poet in Society
  • ISLS 3360 The Role of Memory and the Human Condition
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Curriculum

A total of 120 credits are required to complete the BIS degree: at least 60 credits are completed at UVA and are combined with transferable credits at admission from other regionally accredited institutions. 

On average, students take two courses a term, including the summer, and take three to four years to complete the degree. Many, however, are able to finish sooner or choose to move more slowly, taking up to seven years. 

Total: 60+ Credits (depending on credits at admission)

Required Seminars

Liberal Studies Seminars 

Liberal Studies Seminars provide students with opportunities to develop a set of core skills early in the BIS program. All first-term BIS students are required to take ISLS 3000 Transformations: Reading, Thinking, and Communicating in the Liberal Arts, which addresses academic writing, critical thinking, and research fundamentals. Students also take one more ISLS, and then two ISINs for all concentrations.

6 Credits

ISLS 3000 
ISLS 3XXX

Conduct of Inquiry Seminars 

Conduct of Inquiry Seminars build upon the skills developed in the Liberal Studies Seminars and introduce students to analytical and research fundamentals in various disciplines.

6 Credits

ISIN 4510 - Social Sciences focus
ISIN 4520 - Humanities focus

Note: These seminars must be completed within the first four consecutive terms of BIS matriculation with a grade of C or better. At least one 3000-level Liberal Studies Seminar must be completed with a C or better before enrolling in one at the 4000-level. 

Capstone Experience

6 credits. Please see details below on the page. 

Elective Courses

18-48 credits (depending on concentration and credits at admission)
In consultation with advisors, students in all concentrations will distribute degree hours beyond the Liberal Studies Seminars, Conduct of Inquiry courses, Concentrations, and Capstone Project in courses that will complement academic, professional, and personal goals. 

Commerce Essentials

SCPS BIS students are eligible to take UVA McIntire School’s Commerce Essentials micro-courses, which are half-credit courses offering bite-sized modern business content and skills to support you on your path to success. Created by some of UVA's and the McIntire School's most distinguished faculty and partners, Commerce Essentials are highly flexible and delivered on demand. Explore courses currently offered

Students will take Commerce Essentials courses on a credit/no credit basis. Advisor approval is required for registration.  

Get a Transfer Credit Evaluation

Sample Plan

Once enrolled in BIS, students on average take two courses each fall, spring, and summer term. Average time to completion is 3-4 years, assuming satisfactory academic progress and no leaves of absence. Here is a sample plan of the 20 courses required to complete the degree with a concentration in liberal arts (assuming 60 transferable credits).

Sample Plan Details

Term 1:  Required Liberal Studies Seminar and one concentration course
Term 2:  3000-level Liberal Studies Seminar and one concentration course
Term 3:  Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Social Sciences and one degree elective
Term 4:  Special Topics in Conduct of Inquiry: Humanities and one concentration course
Term 5:  One concentration course and one degree elective
Term 6:  One concentration course and one degree elective
Term 7:  One concentration course and one degree elective
Term 8:  Two degree electives
Term 9:  Capstone I and one degree elective
Term 10: Capstone II and one degree elective

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. The BIS staff gladly will talk with students individually about alternatives.

* The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Annual Course Schedule

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree is completed on average in 3-4 years by enrolling in 2 courses per term (assuming 60 transferable credits at admission). Since course loads are flexible, time to completion varies. The annual schedule, which includes Fall, Spring and Summer courses, is provided for general informational purposes and is subject to change. Please note that SCPS may cancel, modify, or make substitutions as deemed necessary in any given semester.

*3000-level ISLS, ISIN 4510, ISIN 4520, ISCP 3991 (Capstone 1) and ISCP 4991 (Capstone II), concentration courses, ISSS and ISHU electives offered every semester.

Spring Sample Schedule
Online  
ISBU 3710 Managerial Finance
ISBU/ISSS 3880 Data Analytics and Decision Making
ISBU/ISSS 3887 Educational Technology in the Information Age
ISBU/ISSS 4670 Organizational Change and Development
ISCP 3991 Capstone I
ISCP 4991 Capstone II
ISHU 3180 Roots and Stems of Effective Writing
ISHU 3624 Visual Cultural and Aesthetics: The Practice of Seeing
ISIN 4510 The Atlantic World
ISIN 4520 Renaissance to Radical Islam
ISLS 3000 Transformations: Reading, Thinking and Communicating in the Liberal Arts
ISLS 3010 Nationalism and National Identity
ISLS 3020 Critical Thinking: Why Do We Believe the Things We Do?
ISSS 3170 The Bill of Rights in the 21st Century
ISSS 3401 Smart Cities Enabling Sustainability
ISSS 3710 The American Presidency
ISSS 4060 War and World Politics
ISSS 4131 Mental Health Disorders of Modern Society
IT 3220 Strategic Business Value of Information Technology
IT 3240 Enterprise Systems Architecture and Design
IT 4400 Web Application Development-Building Dynamic Websites
PSHM 4300 Introduction to Population Health: Programs, Policy & Epidemiology
PSHM 4700 Economics and Finance in Health Care
SEC 3010 Securing the Cyber World
SEC 3020 Cybersecurity Policy, Law, and Ethics
SEC 3040 Writing and Communications in a Technical Field
SEC 4020 Mobile Security and Forensics
Fall Sample Schedule
Online  
ISBU 3610 Organizational Behavior
ISCP 3991 Capstone I
ISCP 4991 Capstone II
ISHU 3301 Introduction to Film
ISIN 4510 Historical Study of Empire
ISIN 4520 Writing for Your Life
ISLS 3000 Transformations: Reading, Thinking and Communicating in the Liberal Arts
ISLS 3211 Russian Politics
ISLS 3300 The Poet in Society
ISLS 3610 Italian Renaissance
ISLS 3780 An Examination of the Criminal Justice System
ISSS 3416 Social Psychology in the Modern World
ISSS 3420 Human Thought and Behavior
ISSS 4010 The Second World War
ISSS 4290 An Alternative History of Early America
IT 3220 Strategic Business Values of Information Technology
IT 3350 Agile Project Management
IT 3400 Database Management and Business Intelligence/Analytics
PSHM 3010 Introduction to Health Care Management: Applying the Concepts to Practice
PSHM 3050 Current Issues in Health Care
PSHM 4052 Global Health Care
PSHM 4600 Service Excellence in Health Care: Quality Improvement & Customer Service
PSHM 4650 American Health Care: Challenges and Opportunities
PSHM 4750 Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Health Care
Summer Sample Schedule
Online  
ISBU 3410 Commercial Law
ISBU/ISSS 3422 Managing Your Emotions in the Workplace
ISCP 3991 Capstone I
ISCP 4991 Capstone II
ISHU/ISSS 3453 Food for Thought: An Exploration of the Way We Eat
ISHU 3500 Photography as Art
ISHU 4010 Art in Society: Myth, Music Merriment
ISHU/ISSS 4063 Hell’s Angel: How Hunter Thompson Kept Us Honest
ISHU 4350 The Films of Stanley Kubrick
ISIN 4510 The Atlantic World
ISIN 4520 Art in Society
ISLS 3150 Genocide: Origins, Prevention, Punishment
ISLS 3250 The Notion of Heft and Home
ISSS 3440 Gender in Society
ISSS 4300 America in the 1960’s: A Decade of Turbulence
ISSS 4454 Emotion, Emotional Intelligence and Meditation

Capstone Experience

The Capstone Project is a two-semester process in which students pursue independent research on a question or problem of their choice, engage with the scholarly debates in the relevant disciplines, and - with the guidance of a faculty mentor - produce a substantial paper that reflects a deep understanding of the topic.

Students are strongly encouraged to choose a topic in which they have some competence based on their academic work, professional experience, or exploration of future career options. The Capstone Project is both a valuable intellectual experience and also a vehicle through which students can demonstrate their research, analytical, and writing skills to either prospective employers or graduate and professional schools.

Completion of the Capstone Project is required for graduation.

Capstone Details

Capstone Framework & Guidelines

A Capstone Project must demonstrate the following characteristics. Each characteristic can be satisfied in different ways depending on the topic, discipline, and the approach taken. But, taken together, they represent the capstone framework.

Originality: You must reach your own deep understanding of a clearly defined and focused topic. You must formulate your own perspective on an issue and draw your own conclusions. The final project and form of presentation can also draw upon your originality and creativity.

Independence: Although you will have a capstone mentor as a guide and domain expert, you will work primarily on your own.

Appropriate Scope: The Capstone Project is equivalent to a six-credit course. Therefore, you should plan to spend at least as much time and energy on your Capstone Project as you have devoted to your most challenging courses. You will have just one semester to complete your research and writing. Therefore, you will need to keep your project within a limited and realistic scope.

Orderly & Objective Process of Inquiry: The Capstone Project demonstrates your facility with the methods of inquiry. These include the ability to ask the right questions, to synthesize ideas, to identify and use evidence, to draw and support conclusions, to recognize compelling research, to communication your ideas, or to solve a problem using a specific set of tools.

Intellectual Stretch: The Capstone Project should take you to a place where you have not been before, and perhaps, did not even think you could reach.

In addition to the framework, there are also some basic guidelines for the Capstone Project.

  • The Capstone Project will take two semesters to complete. During the first semester, students enroll in Capstone I, develop the Capstone proposal, and secure approval of the proposal from a faculty mentor and the Capstone instructor. During the second semester, students enroll in the Capstone II.
  • Separate grades are received for Capstone I and Capstone II. Each grade must be a C (2.0) or better.
  • Enrollment in Capstone I takes place no later than the second to last semester and no earlier than the third to last semester prior to graduation.
  • The faculty mentor is a member of the UVA faculty. Mentors are approved prior to enrollment in Capstone I.
  • Students will submit a formal academic paper and required drafts to Canvas.
  • Students will make a presentation to an audience of students and faculty. 

 

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SCPS student at UVA graduation

Support You'll Receive at SCPS

There's a reason the student graduation rate at SCPS is more than twice the national average: our staff and faculty understand the demands adult learners face. We want to see you succeed. 

Orientation

SCPS holds orientation for new undergraduate degree students. Orientation is the first step in connecting you with fellow students, resources and a team of people who will help you navigate this journey. SCPS will communicate orientation information with you once enrolled. 

Transformations Course

“Transformations: Reading, Thinking, and Communicating in the Liberal Arts” is a specially-designed course required of students in their first semester to orient them to the BIS degree and the resources of the University. The course is designed to help students develop the skills they will need to complete their degrees, such as critical thinking, effective writing, and strong verbal expression. The course will also help them learn how to use library resources, cite sources, and present research so that they are prepared for their additional coursework in the BIS program. 

Writing Support and the SCPS Writing Center

SCPS offers resources to support students in their writing! Learn more through this video: 

Remote video URL

The SCPS Writing Center is an excellent resources for BIS and BPHM students to connect in a creative, safe space to work on their writing. During the week, the center offers multiple opportunities for drop-in support during which time you may receive one-on-one help and advice with your writing.  

Whether you need help getting started on a writing project, need assistance with your grammar, or need help refining text, the writing center is here to help you gain confidence and be successful. 

Advising

Academic advising is foundational to SCPS undergraduate degree programs and to the success of its students. SCPS staff assigns each new student an academic advisor who assists in course selection and planning during their time in the program. For information, please contact Julie May, Associate Professor and Academic Administrator, SCPS Degree Programs – jsm9z@virginia.edu

Peer Mentors

The Peer Mentor Program is designed to help new BIS students become acquainted with the BIS program, support those further along in their degrees, and foster a sense of community by hosting events and aiding in the New Student Orientation. As a student run organization, the Peer Mentor Program unifies peers as a community of thriving and successful students, and is guided by the foundational principles of the University of Virginia: honor, trust, integrity and respect.

The Structure of Peer Mentors and How it Works
When students enter BIS, they have the opportunity to be paired with a Peer Mentor who can offer guidance and support from the student perspective.

Interested?
If you are interested in serving as a Peer Mentor, please contact BIS faculty member Julie May at jsm9z@virginia.edu.

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Dean Lubin leads the graduation walk in front of the UVA Rotunda
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree

BIS FAQs

Get answers to common questions about the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.