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Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Classes and Scheduling

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies allows you to take classes 100% online or take a combination of online and in-person classes. You will work with your advisor to build a custom degree plan with concentrations and electives that are tailored to your interests.

If you choose to take classes 100% online, you can either build your own degree plan or choose an online emphasis area in community and social impact, cyber operations management or design and media management.

Content on this page is provided as a quick reference for planning your academic schedule. All official course descriptions and degree requirements are published on the undergraduate catalog site.

Selecting a full-time or part-time schedule

Multiple start dates are available throughout the academic year, and you can complete your degree on a part-time or full-time schedule that works for you.

Before deciding on a part- or full-time schedule ask yourself:

  • Do I have seven to nine hours per week per class, to devote to studying?
  • What other obligations currently require my time?

Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Degree Plan

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies is a 120-credit program that allows you to use concentrations to build your own degree plan or select an online emphasis area. This program includes the following credit requirements:

  • Required Courses – 12 credits.
  • (Option One) Concentration Courses – 18 credits. Build your own degree plan by choosing one or more concentrations to complete this upper division requirement. Concentration(s) must be approved by your advisor. This option is available to students taking classes 100% online or taking a combination of online and in-person classes
  • (Option Two) Online Emphasis Area Courses – 36 to 50 credits. Complete an online emphasis area instead of using concentrations to build your own degree plan. Choose one of the following online emphasis areas: community and social impact, cyber operations management or design and media management. This option is only available to students taking classes 100% online.
  • Upper Division Electives – 10 credits. These credits may be transferred from a different institution, a different Boise State program or completed in the interdisciplinary professional studies program.
  • Transfer Credits or Electives – 43 credits.
  • University Foundations Courses – 37 credits. University Foundations courses are required to earn a bachelor’s degree from Boise State. These foundation courses may be met through transfer coursework or will be incorporated into your degree plan. If you are not planning to transfer credits, the Online Degree Pathway from Boise State Online can help you get started.

Review the following table for details on required courses and upper division elective options.

Credit TypeTitleCredits
Required CourseIPS 305 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Professional Studies1
Required CourseIPS 315 Integrative Thinking2
Required CourseIPS 375 Perspective Taking3
Required CourseIPS 385 Asking Questions and Framing Problems3
Required CourseIPS 492 Proposal for Capstone Project1
Required CourseIPS 495 Capstone Project2
Upper Division Elective OptionBAS 425 Creating a Culture of Safety3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 301 Prior Learning Portfolio Development1
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 410 Case Studies in Leadership3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 420 Globalization3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 430 Ethics3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 440 Project Management and Design3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 450 Creativity and Collaboration3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 460 The Practice of Wellness3
Upper Division Elective OptionIPS 493 Internship1-9

Classes and Resources

Course Descriptions

Required Courses

IPS 305 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Professional Studies

Explore academic and career goal-setting, the connection of theory to practice, academic culture, academic integrity, the vital nature of an academic support community, and the qualities of a reflective and adaptive learner.

IPS 315 Integrative Thinking

Explore the theory and practice of integrative thinking and the skills and strategies necessary to develop an integrative mindset, to integrate personal histories and experiences with new ideas, and to become a reflective and adaptive learner.

IPS 375 Perspective Taking

Examine an issue from multiple perspectives and learn to broadly and accurately grasp other viewpoints, to identify the differences between them, to discover the common ground they share, and to evaluate their soundness.

IPS 385 Asking Questions and Framing Problems

Question a practical problem holistically to identify its conditions and costs, to discover new connections and relationships, and ultimately, to recognize, understand, and clearly articulate its breadth and complexity.

IPS 492 Proposal for Capstone Project

Design and plan a personally and professionally relevant capstone project. Recommended concurrent enrollment in IPS 375 and IPS 385.

IPS 495 Capstone Project

Finalize and present an approved capstone project and write a culminating self-evaluation.

Upper Division Elective Options

BAS 425 Creating a Culture of Safety

Study of safety as a vital element of human behavior in society, business, and industry. Examines the safety responsibilities of leaders, managers, and supervisors, focuses on developing skills in planning, implementation, awareness, monitoring, and risk management, and covers governmental influence, hazard awareness and control, operational considerations in the workplace, accidents, and planning.

IPS 301 Prior Learning Portfolio Development

Discuss and apply prior learning frameworks and methods for presenting experiences outside of a traditional classroom as verifiable college-level learning. Create a Prior Learning Portfolio, which includes an educational narrative, a skills-based prior learning resume, and relevant supporting documentation, and earn academic credit by taking the program-prepared challenge exams for specific courses.

IPS 410 Case Studies in Leadership

Introduces and analyzes effective leadership styles. Leadership practices and models are applied to case studies. Through various forms of reading, writing, presentations, video and/or multi-media, students will apply theories to assess their own leadership style and identify styles of popular companies/people. Completion of LEAD 325 is recommended.

IPS 420 Globalization

Introduces the historical and modern phenomenon of Globalization. Various themes in globalization will be studied, including: economics, national powers, history, trade, environment, religion, and education. Each module will introduce particular aspects of globalization.

IPS 430 Ethics

Examines universal ethics principles and standards practiced across various disciplines. Exploration of personal and professional conduct and social responsibility in the light of existing ethical, moral and social values across disciplines will also be discussed. Designed to enable students to form individual positions on ethical conduct and social responsibility, this course both identifies and applies ethical principles to real world situations.

IPS 440 Project Management and Design

Develops a foundation of concepts that support the project management process groups required for successful implementation and completion of a project. Principles and applied techniques of effective planning, communication, risk, schedule, and cost management are major themes discussed in this course.

IPS 450 Creativity and Collaboration

Explore and apply the elements of a creative and collaborative mindset to generate original and adaptive solutions to challenging problems. Review and practice the stages of the creative process, from risk to revision, and set individual goals to develop more deliberate and productive creative collaborations.

IPS 460 The Practice of Wellness

Explore the eight dimensions of wellness and their connections, from support networks and stress management to physical and financial wellness. Evaluate personal well-being, enhance self-awareness, and set goals to create a holistic personal growth and wellness plan.

IPS 493 Internship

A supervised on-site or remote experiential learning opportunity. Deepen critical knowledge areas, enhance professional skills, and reflect on applied work experiences and academic and professional goals. Internships can be in any field or area of interest and require the approval of the Internship Coordinator. One credit equals 45 hours of on-site or remote field work. May be repeated up to a maximum of 9 credits.

Learn More About Internships

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?

Contact our enrollment and student success team for support by emailing us at IPS@boisestate.edu, calling (208) 426-5921 or clicking the chat button.

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