Location: Steely Library 410
Telephone: 859-572-1450
Fax: 859-572-6185
Email Address: ist@nku.edu
Web Address: http://ist.nku.edu
Program Director: Rudy Garns (interim)
Other Key Personnel:
Undergraduate Advisors: Samantha Dutle, Robin Theobald
Thinking about the program: The integrative studies program provides an opportunity for students to pursue an individualized education with both depth of knowledge and breadth of understanding and application. With the help of advisors, students design their own course of study from across the curriculum and integrate what they learn in a capstone project to find coherence, meaning and value in a personal area of interest. The program is intended for:
- Students who prefer a broader and more flexible approach to their college education than traditional disciplinary or professional majors offer.
- Students who want to enter the job market as recognized problem solvers, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and productive collaborators who can work with a variety of perspectives.
- Adult learners who have interrupted their studies for a prolonged period and return with a different academic focus and career goal.
- Undergraduate transfer students whose prior work does not mesh well with existing programs of study at NKU.
- Part-time students whose work schedules and other responsibilities preclude them from completing more structured majors.
- Undergraduate students abandoning highly structured disciplinary or professional majors during their undergraduate career.
The associate and bachelor’s programs for integrative studies are available as traditional daytime classes and in an evening, nontraditional format for adult learners through PACE. Students can learn more about this option by visiting the website (ist.nku.edu). The associate program for integrative studies can also be completed through the NKU Grant County Center (http://adultlearner.nku.edu/grantcounty.html) in Williamstown.
The Associate of Arts in integrative studies is a flexible two-year degree ideal for students who are looking for academic accreditation either to advance their employment opportunities or as a stepping-stone toward a four-year degree.
The associate degree requires a focus in one of the following areas:
- Humanities
- Fine arts
- Social/behavioral sciences
- Natural sciences/mathematics
The focus must include 15 credit hours of coursework in the chosen area with at least 6 credit hours at the 300-level or above. Courses must be from at least two different disciplines within the chosen area.
Special graduation requirements: To remain in the program, students must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.00 or better. Students must take at least 6 credit hours of NKU coursework after declaring the major.
You should also know: This degree cannot be counted as a minor or focus.
