Integrated Studies Major (IGS)

The Integrated Studies major is offered for students whose educational objectives can best be met outside of existing departmental programs.  The Integrated Studies Major with Liberal Arts Concentration is available to both traditional and Adult Online students.  More information about this concentration can be found here: Degrees, Majors, and Minors.  For Adult Online students, the Integrated Studies Major is also offered with the specific concentrations listed below.

After completing the requirements for the Integrated Studies major, students should be able to:

• Students will integrate theories, methods, and perspectives from two or more disciplines to examine complex issues, using logical reasoning to develop well-supported, evidence-based findings or conclusions.
• Students will produce clear, organized, and research-supported written and oral communication appropriate for academic and professional contexts.
• Students will apply interdisciplinary knowledge to structured academic tasks and projects, demonstrating measurable achievement of program outcomes through direct assessment.
• Students will identify, evaluate, and effectively use scholarly and professional sources, demonstrating information literacy and ethical use of information.

All AOP students must meet with their faculty advisor who oversees the concentration to receive approval for courses for this major prior to enrollment each term. The faculty advisor must give approval to the registrar each term prior to the student being enrolled in courses for this major.

All courses taken for a specific concentration must be related to the concentration theme as determined by the faculty advisor.

Each concentration is designed to include transfer credits to meet requirements of the concentration.

To complete the Integrated Studies major with one of the specific concentrations listed below, students will first select one of the following options:

Option One:

• 50 total hours without a minor
• Fifteen hours in a primary discipline
• Fifteen hours combined in one or more additional disciplines outside of the primary discipline
• at least 21 hours at or above the 300-level

Option Two:

• 30 hours plus a minor
• Fifteen hours or more in a primary discipline
• Fifteen hours or more combined in one or more additional disciplines outside of the primary discipline
• at least 15 hours at or above the 300-level

Business Leadership and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with a Business Leadership and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in organizations. This concentration develops students who understand both the operational and human sides of organizational success. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of business functions, while also exploring how individuals and groups think, communicate, and perform within workplace environments. The concentration will require majors to understand the practical skills and behavioral understanding needed for careers in management, human resources, employee development, marketing, organizational consulting, and other leadership-oriented fields.

Additional Learning Outcomes

• Apply core business functions and critical thinking skills to analyze organizational challenges, evaluate individual and group behavior, and make informed, ethical decisions in workplace contexts.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills by interpreting business and organizational texts to understand key concepts related to leadership and workplace dynamics.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Science

Program Contact: Professor Frank Billingsley

Primary Discipline: Business Administration

Additional Disciplines: Psychology, Communication and Media Studies, Sociology

Community Health and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with a Community Health and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration prepares students to support, educate, and advocate for individuals and communities in ways that promote health, well-being, and social equity. Students gain an understanding of health and mental health challenges at the individual and community level. This concentration prepares students for roles focused on improving community well-being and health, public health advocacy, and community health worker/educator.

Additional Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze individual and community health challenges using interdisciplinary and critical thinking approaches, evaluating social, behavioral, and environmental factors while considering health advocacy and equity.
• Demonstrate culturally responsive understanding of community health and well-being by interpreting psychological texts and identifying key concepts, arguments, and evidence related to diverse populations and health outcomes.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts

Program Contact: Professor Regan Lookadoo

Primary Discipline: Psychology

Additional Disciplines: Community Health Worker, Communication and Media Studies, Kinesiology

Criminal Justice and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with a Criminal Justice and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration integrates the study of criminal behavior, justice systems, psychology, and societal influences on crime. Students will gain knowledge in how social identity and inequality shape patterns of crime and victimization; as well as, why individuals commit crimes, how trauma affects behavior, and how mental health intersects with justice systems. This concentration prepares students for roles in probation and parole, juvenile justice systems, corrections, victim advocacy, and community intervention programs.

Additional Learning Outcomes

• Analyze criminal behavior, victimization, and crime patterns using psychological, social, and structural perspectives, and evaluate criminal justice policies, behavioral science theories, and intervention strategies for their effectiveness in addressing crime, trauma, and mental health.
• Demonstrate applied knowledge of criminal justice processes and trauma-informed practices by interpreting and using research to support prevention and intervention efforts in settings such as corrections, juvenile justice, and victim advocacy.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts

Program Contact: Professor Regan Lookadoo

Primary Discipline: Psychology

Additional Disciplines: Criminal Justice, Communication and Media Studies, Sociology

Education and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with an Education and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration prepares students to understand how individuals think, learn, behave, and grow across the lifespan. Students gain knowledge and practical skills to apply to diverse learners in school and community settings.

Additional Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze learning and development across the lifespan using cognitive, behavioral, and educational perspectives, and evaluate educational theories, psychological research, and instructional strategies for diverse learners in school and community settings.
• Apply principles of educational psychology in culturally responsive ways by demonstrating practical teaching and developmental skills and effectively interpreting educational and psychological texts to support learning in diverse populations.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts

Program Contact: Professor Regan Lookadoo

Primary Discipline: Education

Additional Disciplines: Psychology, Communication and Media Studies, Sociology

Family and Human Development and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with a Family and Human Development and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration prepares students to examine how biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors shape human development, relationships, and well-being; equipping students with the ability to understand and support individuals and families at every stage of life. This concentration prepares students for roles in family support services, social and human services, elder care, youth development organizations, and community outreach programs.

Additional Learning Outcomes

• Analyze human development, relationships, and well-being across the lifespan by examining biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, and evaluating relevant theories, research, and practices in family and human development.
• Apply developmental and family systems knowledge in diverse settings by demonstrating practical skills in social services, youth and elder care, and community outreach, while effectively interpreting psychological texts to support individuals and families.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts

Program Contact: Professor Regan Lookadoo

Primary Discipline: Psychology

Additional Disciplines: Family Studies, Communication and Media Studies, English, Sociology

Health and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with a Health and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration prepares students to understand both the physical and mental health and environmental factors that impact disease and well-being. Students gain knowledge about the human body with an understanding of human behavior, mental health, and social factors that influence wellness. This concentration prepares students for entry-level roles in health and behavioral health settings.

Additional Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze health, disease, and well-being using interdisciplinary and critical thinking approaches, examining the interactions among biological, psychological, and environmental factors and evaluating research and evidence-based practices in health psychology and behavioral science.
• Apply knowledge of human biology, mental health, and behavioral science to health-related challenges by interpreting psychological texts and using key concepts, arguments, and evidence to promote wellness and prevent disease.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts

Program Contact: Professor Regan Lookadoo

Primary Discipline: Psychology

Additional Disciplines: Allied Health Science, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Nutrition and Food Science, Communication and Media Studies, Biology, Sociology

Social Work and Human Development and Psychology Concentration

The Integrated Studies Major with a Social Work and Human Development and Psychology Concentration is an integrated studies major for the adult online program only. This concentration prepares students to recognize human needs, respond to social challenges, and promote well-being in diverse populations. Students will gain knowledge in behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and health-related factors that shape human development, functioning, and vulnerability. In addition, this concentration will examine mental-health challenges, trauma, addiction, and developmental concerns. This concentration prepares students for roles in human services, social work, public health, and similar helping professions.

Additional Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze human development and vulnerability across the lifespan by examining behavioral, psychological, emotional, social, and cultural factors, and evaluating social work theories, research, and strategies related to mental health, trauma, addiction, and developmental challenges.
• Apply ethical and practical social work skills in diverse settings by supporting vulnerable individuals, families, and communities and effectively interpreting and using psychological and social work texts to inform practice.

Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts

Program Contact: Professor Regan Lookadoo

Primary Discipline: Social Work

Additional Disciplines: Psychology, Communication and Media Studies, English, Sociology