BACHELOR OF INTEGRATED STUDIES
Contact: Bachelor of Integrated Studies
c/o UNB College of Extended Learning
6 Duffie Drive, P.O. Box 4400,
Fredericton, N. B., Canada, E3B 5A3
Phone:
(506) 453-4646
Fax:
(506) 453-3572
Email:
extend@unb.ca
Website: http://www.unb.ca/extend/bis/
General Information
The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS), an innovative degree completion program, was developed in
response to the needs of adult learners. BIS students will have some post-secondary educational
experience (such as certificate or diploma programs, or partially completed degree programs); and
may have achieved equivalent university study through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of
university-level learning achieved through work, life and education experiences.
The BIS is particularly designed for part-time study. Mid-career adults may consider this program for a
variety of reasons including a change in professional direction, advancement within their career, or
seeking a personal or professional challenge. To help adult learners achieve their specific personal,
educational and professional goals, the program will integrate their university-level educational
background and career and personal objectives with an approved plan of study.
Expected Outcomes
Although each individual program of study may include learning outcomes specific to that plan,
student-learning outcomes that are general to the BIS degree program include:
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Communication skills: graduates will be able to listen or read, synthesize, draw conclusions
and effectively communicate the results in both oral and written form.
Critical and analytical thinking: graduates will be able to absorb and analyze complex material
from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
Problem solving: because of their increased ability to critically analyze the complexities of an
issue or problem from multiple perspectives, graduates will have developed the ability to make
discerning judgments and decisions.
Intellectual and research skills: graduates will have generalized intellectual and research skills,
which will also develop the student’s capacity for lifelong learning.
Interdisciplinary leadership: graduates will be able to set a direction, create and maintain
commitment to that direction, and face adaptive challenges. As well, graduates will have an
interdisciplinary awareness of current social, political, and economic concerns, the leadership
qualities required to assume the challenges of citizenship, and the capabilities to facilitate
change.
This degree program is jointly coordinated and administered through a partnership with Renaissance
College (the Faculty), and the College of Extended Learning (CEL). Renaissance College (RC), with its
strength in interdisciplinary and leadership programs and with its emphasis on learning portfolios and
outcomes-based learning, is responsible for the academic oversight of the BIS program (admissions,
transfer credit review, curriculum changes, graduation and portfolio approvals). The College of
Extended Learning, with its expertise in adult learning, distance education, workplace learning, and
prior learning assessment provides the infrastructure and the administrative support for the program.
The UNBF Faculties contribute expertise in the areas of the students’ chosen Minor programs and in
Prior Learning Assessments.
University/General Regulations
The General University Regulations covered in Section B of this Calendar will govern any point not
covered by the General Regulations of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies. Questions concerning the
application of regulations should be directed in writing to the Registrar.
Normally, applicants to the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program without a prior degree must meet
the following requirements:
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Have acquired a minimum of 30 credit hours of transferable credit of post-secondary study.
Transferable credit may also include credit awarded through a Prior Learning Assessment
(PLA).
As a final step in the Admission process, complete an interview with the Bachelor of Integrated
Studies Coordinator to assess their suitability for the program.
Potential applicants with a degree should refer to existing regulations in the UNB Calendar regarding
second degrees and should consult the BIS Coordinator.
To earn a Bachelor in Integrated Studies a student must complete a minimum 120 credit hours that
include the following requirements:
1. University Minor: A required element of the BIS program is the University Minor.
Requirements will vary depending on the Minor chosen and are as outlined in the University
calendar for each Minor Program. Responsibility for approval of the Minor lies with the
appropriate Faculty.
2. Leadership Component:To build program coherence and to explore interdisciplinary and
integrated learning approaches to issues, each learner will normally complete at least 15 credit
hours of interdisciplinary courses through Renaissance College within the first two years of
study. This will provide them with a Certificate in Leadership studies (see Bachelor of
Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership – Certificate in Leadership Studies in the
Undergraduate Calendar). By adding three additional leadership related courses through
Renaissance College, students can obtain a Minor in Leadership Studies (see Bachelor of
Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership – Minor in Leadership studies). This will not replace
the requirements of the BIS minor.
At minimum you need to successfully complete the following RCLP courses: RCLP 1001 , RCLP
1011 , RCLP 1062 , RCLP 2001 , RCLP 3030 .
3. Individualized Plan of study: Adult learners admitted to the BIS will meet with the BIS
Coordinator to design a plan of study that builds upon their interests and previous academic
study, and that meets the program requirements.
Each individual plan of study includes a statement of objectives written by the learner, a list of
courses previously taken and to be taken during the upcoming academic year, a summary of
BIS program requirements, and a description of how each component will contribute to
achieving the student’s learning objectives. Each learner’s plan of study must be approved by
Renaissance College.
4. Personal learning portfolio: Two distinct elements of the BIS portfolio are required for
graduation. The first is successful completion of RCLP 3030 , the BIS learning portfolio course.
This 3ch course introduces learners to the BIS learning outcomes, reflective writing, and
experiential learning as a foundation for developing their learning portfolios. BIS students take
this course early in their program. The second element is a personal learning portfolio that
learners continue to develop throughout their studies. The development of the learning
portfolio begins with the Admission application process, and if applicable, the applicants' prior
learning assessment. A portfolio review takes place annually to allow learners to recognize and
reflect on progress toward their objectives and the BIS learning outcomes. Finally, learners
must submit their completed portfolio to the Faculty in the semester prior to their expected
graduation for evaluation. Learners' portfolios are then evaluated to ensure they contain a
substantial meta-analysis and documentation of key learning events and activities and their
contribution to both personal growth and competency in relation to the BIS learning outcomes.
5. Elective credits: The balance of the BIS program is comprised of elective courses that
students select based on individual goals and interests identified in their study plans.
6. Students must complete a minimum of 39 credit hours (one-third of the program) at the 3000
and/or 4000 level.
7. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
8. Normally students will complete a minimum of 45 credit hours of the program at UNB. The
Registrar in consultation with Renaissance College and the College of Extended Learning may
waive this provision.
9. Any course taken or transferred to satisfy any of the requirements for a BIS degree must be
passed with a minimum grade of C.
The standing RC BIS Committee (composed of one RC faculty member, the BIS Coordinator and the
RC College Coordinator) will review and make recommendations to RC Dean or Council for approval of
PLA, transfer credit, periodic plans of study and graduation.