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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. Elective courses complement certificate options that can be completed online or in a combination of online and in person. Starting with these elective courses allows you to explore your interests and sample these content areas.

If you choose to take classes 100% online, you can either build your own degree plan or choose one of our online emphasis areas.

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?

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.

PREREQ: Admission to the IPS Program.

IPS 315 Integrative Thinking

Explore the theory and practice of integrative learning 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.

COREQ: BAS 305 or IPS 305.

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.

COREQ: IPS 315.

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.

COREQ: IPS 315.

IPS 492 Proposal for Capstone Project

Design and plan a personally and professionally relevant capstone project.

COREQ: IPS 375 and IPS 385 and permission from the instructor.

IPS 495 Capstone Project

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

COREQ: IPS 492 and permission from the instructor.

Elective Courses

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. (Pass/Fail.)

PREREQ: permission from the instructor.

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.

COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or IPS 305, or permission from the instructor.

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.

COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or IPS 305, or permission from the instructor.

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.

COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or IPS 305, or permission from the instructor.

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.

COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or IPS 305, or permission from the instructor.

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

Evaluate personal wellbeing, from nutrition and self-awareness to sleep and stress management. Explore both the eight dimensions of wellness and proven resilience and health strategies and create a holistic personal growth and wellness plan.

COREQ: Upper-division standing, or BAS 305 or IPS 305, or permission from the instructor.

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. Once credit equals 45 hours of on-site or remote field work. May be repeated up to a maximum of 9 credits.

PREREQ: permission from the instructor.

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.

COREQ: BAS 305 or IPS 305 or permission from the instructor.

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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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