Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies
Bachelor of ArtsBatten University
A student who has discovered a well-defined problem area or theme that cannot be addressed through Batten's established major programs may develop an individualized major. Because this type of study requires considerable initiative and imagination, students pursuing this option must demonstrate preparedness by having completed at least 32 credit hours of college work with an overall GPA of at least 2.7. At least 16 semester hours must have been completed in residence.
Program Overview & Guidance

| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | A student who has discovered a well-defined problem area or theme that cannot be addressed through Batten’s established major programs may develop an individualized major. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Contract major - must be approved by advisory board of a faculty sponsor plus two additional faculty members. Minimum of 20 hours must be at 300/400 level. Must maintain overall GPA of 2.7 or higher. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Eligible students must identify an advisory board consisting of a faculty sponsor and two additional faculty members. The members of the advisory board must be familiar with the student’s academic work or have expertise in the proposed area of study. In consultation with these faculty, the student will develop a comprehensive academic plan of study, to include coursework in at least two different departments/programs. The major must reflect between 40 and 48 semester hours of approved coursework, with at least 20 hours at the 300/400 level, including a senior thesis or capstone project. No more than two courses may count toward both the major and General Education requirements.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Students pursuing this option must demonstrate preparedness by having completed at least 32 credit hours of college work with an overall GPA of at least 2.7. At least 16 semester hours must have been completed in residence. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Batten University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Batten University is committed to treating transfer students fairly. We believe in recognizing your hard work and making the path to your four-year degree as easy as possible.
The Fair Transfer Guarantee helps Virginia community college graduates save credits, save time, and save money by assuring that those with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Applied Science- Human Services (Tidewater Community College) will enter Batten U with junior-class status. All lower-level general education requirements—including foreign language—will be deemed complete, allowing students to focus on courses for their major and upper-level elective credits necessary for their bachelor’s degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | First-time college students arriving with a conferred Associate's degree get transfer credit for all acceptable coursework. They are not exempt from any breadth requirements. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer credits are evaluated based on official transcripts from institutions accredited by regional accreditors. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Batten University from all colleges previously attended. The results of the credit transfer evaluation are recorded in the student's Transfer Evaluation Report in WebAdvisor. A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed after admission to the University. The evaluation is completed only by the Office of the Registrar. Transfer grades are not included in the Batten University grade point average. The amount of credit is determined in terms of the appropriate number of semester credit hours. Criteria for the acceptance of transfer credit include the following: Transfer credit is awarded for courses from colleges/universities accredited by regional accreditors and comparable in content and quality to those offered within the academic programs at Batten University. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Transfer students can choose to live on or off campus. Residential students are permitted to live on campus if they are under the age of 23. The average class size is 14. Our location is your advantage. With approx. 1.7 million people in the area, we have excellent access to internships and research opportunities. All students can and are encouraged to get involved on campus through civic engagement and clubs/organizations. Batten University is an inclusive community grounded in the arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship. Batten University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use the same catalog) |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use same catalog) |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | There is no specific date by which a student must let us know their intent. However, it is in their best interest to do so early to take advantage of all the perks. Read more here https://www.batten.edu/enrollment-aid/transfers/fair-transfer-guarantee.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Supply Chn Maritime Log-BS IDS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Not Specified |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Interdisciplinary Studies (online), Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | 4-Year | Online |
| Sweet Briar College | Bacheolor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in American Studies, Concentration in Constitutional Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in American Studies, Concentration in Humanities | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in American Studies, Concentration in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in Environmental Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in Global Commerce and Culture | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BA Interdisciplinary Major | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - Military Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - Online | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - 3 Year Degree Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Africana Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Film & Media Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Gender/Sexuality & Womens Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Medieval/Renaissance Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Self-Designed Major, Interdisciplinary Studies - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Self-Designed Major, Interdisciplinary Studies - Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Interdisciplinary Studies-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Interdisciplinary Studies-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Leadership-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Professional Writing-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Cybercrime-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Game Studies & Design-BS IDS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BS in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.A. in Integrated Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.A. in Integrated Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Regent University | B.S. in Professional Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies Liberal Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Interdisciplinary Studies Liberal Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

Cost To Complete

