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The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program provides a dynamic framework for intellectual growth, fostering collaboration among a diverse community of students.
Designed to encourage interdisciplinary exploration, the program challenges you to uncover connections between various fields while engaging with peers who bring expertise from different professions and learning areas. This approach broadens your understanding of your chosen areas while broadening your perspective through meaningful interactions and shared learning experiences.
The program offers students who have completed 45 or more college credits the opportunity to join the BIS program and complete their remaining undergraduate credits online. This program is available to qualified students in the Finish What You Started (FWYS) program at URI.
Focus areas can include:
- Business
- Communications
- Health Studies
- Film/Media
- Public Relations
- Journalism
- Political Science
- Non-Profit
- Psychology
Professional skillset
- Effective communication
- Strategic, evidence-based thinking
- Ethical and inclusive leadership
- Social Media and Video Communication
- Communication across Cultures
Careers
URI offers flexible, interdisciplinary programs designed to give you a competitive edge in today’s global marketplace. With varying course options and focus areas, students will graduate prepared to thrive as a well-informed, adaptable global citizen. Gain the essential skills to thrive in a wide range of professional roles.
Contact Interdisciplinary Studies Undergraduate Degree Completion
Angie Chiang
Program Director, Interdisciplinary Studies Undergraduate Degree Completion
achiang@uri.edu
Admission
Students in this program are typically:
- Students in this program are typically:
- Non-traditional, adult learners (approx. 25 years of age or older)
- Currently employed or have other responsibilities (e.g., family caretaker)
- Current or previous Military/Veteran status
- All students require flexibility and accessibility in order to successfully complete this degree program.
If an applicant has received an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution, applicants must have earned a minimum 2.4 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), be in good standing and eligible to return to institutions previously attended. Associate degree applicants are not required to submit a high school transcript.
Deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | DNP | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | Spring 2027 | 15-Oct-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | Summer 2027 | 15-Mar-27 | 29-Apr-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Fall II 2026 | 29-Sep-26 | 3-Nov-26 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Spring II 2027 | 26-Jan-27 | 2-Mar-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Summer II 2027 | 1-Jun-27 | 6-Jul-27 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Oceanography | MS Ocean | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Oceanography | MS Ocean | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Public Administration | Master PA | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Public Administration | Master PA | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Master of Public Administration | Master PA | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Public Administration, Blue MPA | Blue MPA | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Public Administration, Blue MPA | Blue MPA | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | |||
| Master of Science in Data Science | MS in DS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Science in Data Science | MS in DS | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| M.S. in Dietetics | MS Dietetics | Fall 2026 | 4-Aug-26 | 8-Sep-26 |
| Supply Chain Management & Applied Analytics, M.S. | SCMAA MS | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Environmental Management | Master Env Mgt | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| M.S. in Health Outcomes & Data Analytics | MS in HODA | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX UI | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX/UI | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX UI | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Health Professions Education Graduate Certificate | HPE Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Health Professions Education, M.A. | HPE MA | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Spring 2027 | 15-Oct-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Summer 2027 | 15-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | Fall 2027 | 15-Jun-27 | 7-Sep-27 |
| Data Science Graduate Certificate | DS Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Fisheries Science Graduate Certificate | FS Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| GIS & Geospatial Technologies Graduate Certificate | GIS GT Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Quantum Computing Graduate Certificate | QC Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Medication Outcomes Graduate Certificate | MO Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Training & Development Graduate Certificate | TD Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Fall II 2026 | 29-Sep-26 | 3-Nov-26 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Spring II 2027 | 26-Jan-27 | 2-Mar-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Summer II 2027 | 1-Jun-27 | 6-Jul-27 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Natural Resources & the Environment Graduate Certificate | NRE Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education Graduate Certificate | ECCE Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Ocean Science Graduate Certificate | Ocean Sci Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Ocean Science Graduate Certificate | Ocean Sci Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Ocean Policy and Science Graduate Certificate | Ocean Pol Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Community Planning Graduate Certificate | CommPlan Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | SC BA | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education, B.S. Degree Completion | ECCE BS | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Education Doctorate, Ed.D. | EDD | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Community Planning and Development Graduate Certificate | CPD Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 3-Aug-27 | 7-Sep-27 |
| Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate | MLE Grad Cert | Spring 2027 | 24-Nov-26 | 5-Jan-27 |
| Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate | MLE Grad Cert | Summer 2027 | 30-Mar-27 | 4-May-27 |
| Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate | MLE Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Cyber Security Graduate Certificate | CyberSec Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Master of Engineering Management and Leadership | MEML | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
| Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis | EDA Grad Cert | Fall 2027 | 4-Aug-27 | 8-Sep-27 |
Readmission
Applicants who have previously registered for courses at URI as a degree-seeking student are considered for readmission and must apply using the Readmission Application.
Tuition
| Tuition (per credit) | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Technology Fee | Transcript Fee | Document Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Library Media Teaching Certificate | SLM Teaching Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Data Science Graduate Certificate | DS Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Fisheries Science Graduate Certificate | FS Grad Cert | $685 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| GIS & Geospatial Technologies Graduate Certificate | GIS GT Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Quantum Computing Graduate Certificate | QC Grad Cert | $685 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Medication Outcomes Graduate Certificate | MO Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Training & Development Graduate Certificate | TD Grad Cert | $685 | $0 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate | HM Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Natural Resources & the Environment Graduate Certificate | NRE Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Public Administration & Policy Graduate Certificate | PAP Grad Cert | $918 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education Graduate Certificate | ECCE Grad Cert | $654 | $0 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Prevention Science & Human Development Graduate Certificate | PSHD Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Ocean Science Graduate Certificate | Ocean Sci Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Ocean Policy and Science Graduate Certificate | Ocean Pol Grad Cert | $16 | |||||
| User Experience (UX) Design Graduate Certificate | UX Grad Cert | $685 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| User Interface (UI) Design Graduate Certificate | UI Grad Cert | $685 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Community Planning Graduate Certificate | CommPlan Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Industry 4.0 Graduate Certificate | I4 Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Nuclear Engineering Graduate Certificate | NE Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Health Professions Education Graduate Certificate | HPE Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | n/a |
| Health Professions Education, M.A. | HPE MA | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | n/a |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | DNP | $825 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Library and Information Studies | MLIS | $918 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| M.S. in Healthcare Management | MS in HM | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Oceanography | MS Ocean | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Public Administration | Master PA | $918 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Science in Data Science | MS DS | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| M.S. in Dietetics | MS Dietetics | URI-Sodexo MS Dietetics Graduate Program | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Supply Chain Management & Applied Analytics, M.S. | SCMAA MS | $1,100 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Environmental Management | Master Env Mgt | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Professional Studies | MPS | $685 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Professional Science Masters | PSM | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| M.S. in Health Outcomes & Data Analytics | MS in HODA | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Master of Arts in User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design | MA UX UI | $685 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Strategic Communications, B.A. Degree Completion | Strat Comm BA | $654 | $0 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Early Childhood Care & Education, B.S. Degree Completion | ECCE BS | $654 | $0 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | BIS | $654 | $0 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Nursing, R.N. to B.S. Degree Completion | RN to BS | $433 | $0 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Education Doctorate, Ed.D. | EDD | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Community Planning and Development Graduate Certificate | CPD Grad Cert | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate | MLE Grad Cert | $375 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Cyber Security Graduate Certificate | CyberSec Grad Cert | ||||||
| Master of Engineering Management and Leadership | MEML | $875 | $65 | $30 | $16 | $50 | $115 |
| Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis | EDA Grad Cert |
Curriculum
Courses are offered in 7-week sessions through our accelerated online calendar, with two sessions in each term (Spring, Summer, Fall). Students can start the program in Spring, Summer, or Fall semester. Students will be able to complete any remaining General Education credits.
Required Courses:
- BIS 199 – Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
- WRT 227 – Professional Writing
- BIS 399 – Interdisciplinary Capstone Project
Students will take 9 additional classes from the following areas (in no particular order):
Effective Communication:
- COM 302 – Advanced Public Speaking
- COM 310 – Special Topics in Communication (includes Social Media, Corporate Social Responsibility, Health Communication, Mental Health, Humor and Communication)
- COM 322 – Gender and Communication
- COM 361 – Interpersonal Communications
- COM 441 – Race and Communications
- COM 422 – Conflict and Communications
Strategic Thinking
- NUR 383 – Aging and Health
- HDF 318G – Health and Wealth
- COM 310 – Special Topics in Communication (includes Social Media, Corporate Social Responsibility, Health Communication, Mental Health, Humor and Communication)
- COM 414 – Sports and Film
- COM 383 – Rhetorical Theory
- COM 422 – Strategic Communication
Ethics and Leadership
- GWS 325G – International Women’s Issues
- THE 338G – Ethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Theatre
- HLT 313 – Interdisciplinary Approaches to Burnout
- COM 477 – Internship
- COM 310 – Special Topics in Communication (includes Social Media, Corporate Social Responsibility, Health Communication, Mental Health, Humor and Communication)
- COM 361 – Interpersonal Communication
- COM460 – Environmental Communication – Local & Global
A total of 120 credits is required for graduation. At least 30 of these must be in courses numbered 300 or above. General education requirements are the same as outlined in the University of Rhode Island catalog.
Faculty
