The BIS with a Specialization in Humanities is a Bachelor Completion program that prepares students to analyze, synthesize and interpret perennial and contemporary societal issues from a variety of humanistic perspectives. It develops graduates who can effectively communicate their ideas in innovative ways to aid personal and community-based problem-solving within and between cultures.
In this Specialization, students investigate the nature of human imagination and where human values stem from through the study of literature, film, technology, art, religion and the environment. Graduates are able to make informed decisions on complex issues based on an ability to analyze ideas from multiple perspectives and effectively communicate those ideas in a professional manner.
Are you interested in a broad variety of liberal arts and want to explore your interests in a degree tailored to you? Do you want to create a great foundation for your future graduate studies or maximize your transfer credit in a very flexible degree? This interdisciplinary degree provides you with a traditional liberal arts degree. The critical and analytic skills needed to understand and discuss cultural movements are those necessary to the clear thinking and responsible decision-making required in many professional careers and graduate degrees.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Interdisciplinary Studies, 90-30 Humanities is designed as a bachelor completion program with students transferring up to 90 credits from community colleges or other four-year institutions into NAU. As such, only the remaining 30 credits provide a basis for NAU assessment of student learning objectives. The program prepares students to analyze, synthesize and interpret perennial and contemporary societal issues from a variety of humanistic perspectives. It develops graduates who can effectively communicate their ideas in innovative ways to aid personal and community-based problem-solving within and between cultures. More specifically, students investigate the nature of human imagination and where human values come from through the study of literature, film, technology, art, religion and the environment. Graduates are able to make informed decisions on complex issues based on an ability to analyze ideas from multiple perspectives and effectively communicate those ideas in a professional manner.
Student Learning Outcomes
All coursework in the Specialization Areas must be upper-division and from Northern Arizona University. Substitutions and use of credit from other institutions are not allowed in the Specialization.
Multi-use of coursework is not permitted within the Major Requirements. Major Requirements include Specialization, Communication, Computer Literacy, Language and Science.
Take the following 30 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Humanities Specialization
Communication Requirements (6 units)
Choose 6 units in the following two categories.
Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.
Foreign Language Requirement Option (19 units)
Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):
AND
Computer Literacy (6 units)
This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.