Bachelor of Arts Degree in Integrative Studies

Major Requirements. The Integrative Studies major requires a minimum of 40 credit hours (or ten course units). Taken together, the courses must constitute a coherent field of study outside traditional departmental lines. At least 12 of the credits must be advanced courses (at the 300-400 level), including a culminating project during the final year that counts for four credits. As with all majors at Guilford, students must earn a grade of C- or better in each of the courses in the major.

Specific Requirements. To be eligible for this program, a student must have a cumulative Guilford G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher. It is very important for interested students to begin to consider this major as early as possible. Interested students are encouraged to meet with faculty in relevant areas of study as well as the Coordinator for Integrative Studies before the end of the fall semester of the sophomore year. The Guilford College policy is for a student to declare their major by the end of the sophomore year. Any Integrative Studies proposals submitted after the sophomore year will require the approval of the Coordinator for Integrative Studies.

The student will convene a committee including the Coordinator for Integrative Studies and at least two faculty advisors. Students will prepare a complete draft of the Integrative Studies application and submit it to their committee. The committee may approve the proposal, request further revision, or deny the proposal. The committee approves the student as an Integrative Studies major by approving the proposal. 

The full application packet is available from the Coordinator for Integrative Studies. The application includes:

• a statement articulating the nature and coherence of the field of study and why this program is necessary to achieve the student’s goals;
• a program list of at least 10 courses (40 credits), distinguishing those taken and those anticipated;
• the rationale for the courses to be taken for the major, including the sequencing, depth and coherence of the courses;
• a plan for completing IE 301 Junior Seminar and IE 401 Senior Seminar through standalone or designated courses;
• a tentative proposal for the senior project explaining how it serves as an appropriate culmination for the major;
• the relationship between the field of study and at least three of Guilford’s Five Academic Principles (in consultation with their committee as needed);
• reflections on future possibilities in the field (e.g., career, graduate school); and
• strong recommendations from at least two full-time faculty members from two different disciplines. Letters of recommendation must attest to the student’s ability to work independently.

Culminating Project. If the student is conducting a two-semester project, in the first semester of the final year, they begin work on the culminating project and continue until shortly before the end of the final semester. Note that in most cases, the culminating project of the Integrative Studies major will also be the student’s Integrative Experience Contribution. This can be completed through IE 401, HON 400 and any thesis course, or any other course designated as an Integrative Experience Senior Seminar. The student works with their committee to develop an appropriate review and submission schedule to ensure timely completion. The student must submit the final version of the project at least two weeks before the last day of classes to the committee. The committee will decide whether or not to approve the project as fulfilling the requirements of the Integrative Studies major.