Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Flex Degree Plan

The IPS Flex Track curriculum below shows the requirements for your degree. The University Foundations general education courses are required for all bachelor degrees at Boise State. These may be met through transfer coursework, or will be incorporated into your program of study.

If you are not planning to transfer credits, the Online Degree Pathway or an associate degree from Boise State Online can help you get started.

Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Degree Requirements

University Foundations Courses

These University Foundations courses may be met through transfer coursework, or they may be incorporated into your program of study at Boise State. They are required in order to earn your bachelor’s degree.

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.

Elective Courses

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.

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.

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

IPS 460 Dimensions 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.

For the most recent version of these course descriptions, please view the undergraduate catalog.

The Interdisciplinary Professional Studies (IPS) internship provides academic credit for on-the-job experience under the guidance of a supervisor who is a professional in the field. Internships require approximately 45 hours of work for each hour of academic credit awarded.

An internship experience offers students:

• Practical, hands-on work experience
• The opportunity to see first-hand whether a particular field is a good match
• The chance to practice what you have learned in the classroom
• First-hand knowledge of an organization
• The ability to earn academic credit
• The potential to earn money while also taking classes
• The opportunity to network and make valuable connections for future jobs
• Experience in resume writing and interviewing

Is an Internship Right For You?

Are you interested in maximizing your educational experience and putting yourself in a better position for future success? Do you know that over 80% of all college students graduate with an internship experience? Do you know that many organizations use their internship program as an applicant pool from which to draw on when hiring for full-time employment?

IPS students enrolled in both the Flex and Online tracks may earn up to 9 credits* of internship toward their degree plan. Contact your Student Success Advisor to discuss whether an internship is right for your academic goals.

You must complete 45 hours of work at your internship in order to earn one credit. Be sure to work with your internship supervisor and academic advisor to determine how many credits are appropriate.

(*493 Internship, 494 Conference or Workshop, and 496 Independent Study are limited to a combined total of 9-credits)

How to Enroll in an Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Internship (IPS 493)

Once you’ve decided that an internship is right for your academic goals, follow these steps to get enrolled in IPS 493.

1. Identify an internship opportunity.
2. Follow the steps outlined in the Internship Checklist. If you have any questions, contact the IPS Internship Coordinator, Baker Lawley, by emailing bakerlawley@boisestate.edu.
3. Apply online through the Career Center website. (Click on the Internship Application for Academic Credit. You will find IPS 493 listed under Department: College of COAS and Subject: Interdisciplinary Professional Studies.)
4. Complete the internship online orientation workshop and quiz.