Integrated Studies

Earn your degree

Have you completed two or more years of college credit? Do you dream of finishing your degree but worry about making time in your busy schedule?

Earn your bachelor’s degree from Murray State through our one-of-a-kind integrated studies program.

Flexible and convenient

This degree is perfect for adults, non-traditional students, and those in the military with previous college credit. Those who have significant life and work experience may even be able to earn college credit through a portfolio process. You’ll take classes from the best of the best in the format that works for you through any combination of online courses as well as those on the Murray campus or regional campuses. Plus, we’ve designed our courses to work around schedules like yours to ensure you don’t have to compromise between family, work and school. You can even start courses at five different times throughout the year! 

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Tailored field of study

Ultimately, you design your academic journey to meet your unique needs and interests. Some students build a field of study based on more traditional majors.  Another option is an integrated studies pathway which has a more set curriculum but is available via distance learning for the busy adult learner. Others design an interdisciplinary plan that combines two or more areas of interest. The opportunities are endless.

To help you get started, explore our common fields of study and pathways below. If you are ready to see what you will need to finish your bachelor's degree, complete a short form to get in touch with an academic advisor. 

Job opportunities for Integrated Studies graduates

Our graduates come from a diverse backgrounds. Every journey to the degree may be different, but each person has benefited from the opportunities available to those who have earned their bachelor's. Here is a small sampling of jobs held by Integrated Studies graduates: 

  • Bank president
  • Child care director
  • College professor (Ph.D.)
  • Executive assistant to president
  • Human resources representative
  • Insurance agent
  • Law enforcement office
  • NBA player development coach
  • Paramedic
  • PC technician
  • Physician's assistant
  • Production manager
  • Sales manager
  • Small business owner

Fields of study and pathways 

  • Agricultural Studies
    agriculture, agriculture education
  • Applied Sciences
    Civil/construction engineering technology, computer information systems, computer science, electrical and telecommunications technology, electromechanical engineering, engineering, engineering technology, graphic communications management, industrial and engineering technology, industrial technology and design, math, occupational safety and health, telecommunications systems management
  • Arts and Humanities
    art, English, humanities, modern languages, music, philosophy, religious studies, theatre
  • Communications
    Communication, journalism and mass communication
  • Commerce and Leadership
    accounting, business and public affairs, computer information systems, economics, finance, legal studies, management, marketing, real estate
  • Educational Studies
    Agricultural education, career and technical education, communication disorders, education, elementary education, guidance, middle school education, reading, secondary education, special education
  • General Studies
  • Health Care Administration
  • Health and Exercise Studies
    Exercise science, physical education, recreation
  • Human Services
    Communication disorders, criminal justice, family consumer science, health, nursing, nutrition, social work, youth and nonprofit leadership
  • Manufacturing Systems
  • Military Studies
  • Natural Sciences
    Astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, physics, science
  • Nonprofit Administration
  • Rural Tourism and Hospitality
  • Social Sciences
    Anthropology, archaeology, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology

Admission requirements

You must have previously earned at least 60 credit hours and have a minimum 2.2 grade point average (GPA). Current Murray State students changing their major to integrated studies must contact an integrated studies advisor and have previously earned 60 credit hours and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. New or transfer students must apply for admission to the integrated studies program online.

Degree requirements

You are probably closer than you think to earning your bachelor's degree! You must earn a minimum of 120 college credits to graduate. Of those, at least 30 hours must be taken from Murray State. Contact an advisor to see what you will need to complete the core requirements. 

Minimum hour requirements 

This degree is designed to be flexible. Be sure to talk with an advisor to see how you can tailor your degree to your specific goals!

The following are the minimum hour requirements to earn a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree.

  • Total Earned Hours Required: 120
  • Hours Earned at Murray State, in Residency: 30  (courses that apply to residency include Murray State classes and credits earned by departmental challenge exams) 
  • Upper-Division Hours: 39
  • Overall GPA: 2.0
  • Field of Study GPA: 2.5
  • Murray State Courses GPA: 2.0

Requirements will vary depending on your catalog year. Contact an advisor to discuss your degree plan!

View the current academic catalog

What's next?

It all starts with that first initial contact.  Talk to one of our advisors below or complete this short form and we will let you know what it will take for you to finish your bachelor's degree here at Murray State. 

 

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Marla Poyner

Program Director
Advisor for Murray & areas outside western Kentucky

Melanie Watson

Academic Advisor
Paducah Regional Campus

Samantha Matuszak

Coordinator
Fort Campbell Campus

Jared Roberts

Academic Advisor
Hopkinsville Regional Campus

Mary Steely

Coordinator
Henderson Regional Campus

Rachel Evitts

Academic Advisor
Madisonville Regional Campus

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