Franklin Pierce University Announces New Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies
Jul 13, 2011
The College of Graduate & Professional Studies at Franklin Pierce University is accepting applications for its new Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degree. The B.S. in Integrated Studies offers students the opportunity to customize their degree program and focus their studies in multiple concentration areas - developing leadership and critical thinking skills in the disciplines most meaningful to the student.
The B.S. in Integrated Studies is a degree completion program developed specifically for adult students with an associate degree or those who have earned 60 hours of college credit, military credit and/or credit for life experience. This unique and flexible degree program builds on the foundation students have already established and provides a direct path to completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Franklin Pierce’s new program differentiates itself from other bachelor’s degree programs by offering students a high degree of program customization. Students choose two concentrations based on their interests, experience and prior education. Concentrations offered currently include: Management, Marketing, Human Services, American Studies, Liberal Studies and self-selected study. The self-selected study option allows students to customize a unique concentration based on their career goals. Working with an advisor, students develop a course sequence to submit for approval. "The B.S. in Integrated Studies was created with the flexibility to maximize transfer credits for community college graduates and adults with college or military credits. Our goal is to create a clear pathway for students to complete their undergraduate education and be prepared to continue onto graduate study," said Dr. Patricia Brown, Interim Dean for the Franklin Pierce’s College of Graduate & Professional Studies. Dr. Brown went on to say, "There is a direct correlation between higher levels of educational attainment and career success. Our students’ success is our success."
To best accommodate associate degree graduates’ interests, Dr. Brown worked closely with Diane Chin, Vice President of Academic Affairs and faculty at Great Bay Community College to design this degree. The Integrated Studies program offers community college graduates the opportunity to transition easily into a baccalaureate program. Concentrations were selected primarily based on the associate degree programs offered currently at New Hampshire’s community colleges. "A number of programs offered at Great Bay will transfer," noted Chin. "Those programs include: Accounting, Biotechnology, Computer Technologies, Criminal Justice, Digital Media Technology, Early Childhood Education, Hospitality Management, IST, Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts Engineering Science, Liberal Arts, Teacher Prep, Special Education, Management, Marketing, Massage Therapy and Nursing."
"In addition, Great Bay and Franklin Pierce also plan to incorporate shared advising" Chin explained "so that students can choose a pathway from the beginning while completing their Associate degree. Also, because the Integrated Studies program will be offered at Franklin Pierce’s Portsmouth center," Chin continued, "it will be convenient and accessible to area students."
A key component of this new degree program is the e-Portfolio each student will create and maintain throughout the course of study. These online portfolios document students’ best coursework, showcasing strong academic achievement and developed skill sets.
