Interdisciplinary : Social Justice
BIS
Why study Interdisciplinary : Social Justice?
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) is a unique degree program that offers students the opportunity to create their own major. Interdisciplinary studies students learn from multiple disciplines and gain knowledge, methods, and theory that enhance their individual educational and career goals.
A Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) is a collaborative initiative in the College of Arts and Science. This new BIS degree in Social Justice was created in response to students demand for Interdisciplinary and Intersectional training in the field of Justice and Human Rights. The BIS in Social Justice degree will allow students the opportunity to explore a wide range of perspectives and critically examine diverse domestic and transnational systems of domination, oppression, and inequalities and how they relate and intersect with each other. Students will also learn about contemporary and past emancipatory movements that have struggled for change with justice in mind for all. At the end of the program, students will not only understand the sources of oppression, but also be able to imagine that a more just world is possible—a world with less cruelty, environmental destruction, and inequalities, both domestic and international. In order to fulfill their missions, including those of social responsibility, many employers, both governmental and non-governmental currently seek graduates who have expertise and are enthusiastic about social justice.
Admission Requirements
Freshmen applicants, please visit the Admission Requirements page for more information.
You can be successful in interdisciplinary studies if you are highly committed to equity, inclusion and have an authentic appreciation for humanity and all its diversities. Students who are goal oriented self-starter-organizers, who have the propensity to work collectively and lead by serving, will excel in this program. Interdisciplinary studies students have the organizational skills and vision to translate a career or personal goal into a solid academic plan that is broadly-based and delves into several areas of knowledge such as legal studies, racial justice, health justice, gender and sexuality justice, environmental justice, reproductive justice, criminal justice, etc.
Interdisciplinary studies, with a Social Justice focus, majors can be prepared to embark on a variety of pathways including graduate degrees that prepare them for work that advances social justice.
Our students will gain practical and theoretical skills essential for careers in law, policy, lobbying, non-profit settings or governmental agencies, business, medicine or health care administration, academics, media, etc. The skills our students will gain from a major in Social Justice will serve any industry.
While minors are not available in interdisciplinary studies, students can earn a Certificate in Social Justice Studies.
While enrolled in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) in Social Justice, you will receive all the services and opportunities available through the A&S Advising Office.
These include a professional advisor who will:
- Help you choose classes tailored to your interests and passions
- Work with you to create an individualized advising plan
Students in the UC College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and a highly successful First-Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.
The interdisciplinary studies (individualized) option provides a special opportunity for qualified, highly motivated students to design and complete a major that complements their unique interests and strengths while drawing upon the wide-ranging expertise of a notable liberal arts faculty. This program is especially attractive to students whose goals and visions extend beyond traditional academic boundaries and disciplines. The cross-disciplinary nature of interdisciplinary studies helps enable students to learn how to integrate a variety of perspectives and methodologies. By connecting skills and knowledge from multiple sources, students will be better prepared to face real-world situations in their communities, their workplaces and their homes.
To graduate from UC's College of Arts and Sciences, students must:
- Earn at least 120 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 120.
- Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
- Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
- Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 30 credits after matriculating into the college.
- Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
- Complete the College Core Requirements.
Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus student who was admissible directly from high school and has cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in the most recent institution.
Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:
- 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
- at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 at most recent institution
- successfully completed one semester of English composition or its equivalent
- successfully completed one semester of math with a grade of C- or higher that minimally meets on of the following:
- Mathematical Literacy (MATH 0029)
- Intermediate Algebra (MATH 0034)
- Algebra for College (MATH 0039)
- Students may also take the UC Math Placement exam, but must score an MPT of 420 or higher
Admission to A&S is generally available for University of Cincinnati students enrolled in other colleges if they were admissible directly from high school, have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in their most recent UC college.
Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:
- at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions)
- successfully completed one semester of English composition or its equivalent
- successfully completed one semester of math with a grade of C- or higher that minimally meets on of the following:
- Mathematical Literacy (MATH 0029)
- Intermediate Algebra (MATH 0034)
- Algebra for College (MATH 0039)
- Students may also take the UC Math Placement exam, but must score an MPT of 420 or higher
Application Deadlines
While midyear admission is possible, fall semester is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that semester. Applicants to UC's College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in French West, 2nd Floor). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).
Contact Information
French Hall West
3314
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0164
(513) 556-6654
sanmigo@ucmail.uc.edu
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Program Code: 15BAC-INTR-BIS-INTR-SJ