2018-2019

Interdisciplinary Studies - Industrial Leadership 90-30, Bachelor

Business and Administration

Online, Statewide, and Education Innovation

This flexible bachelor's degree offers you an opportunity to design a plan of studies, in consultation with an advisor, to meet your individual educational needs. You may choose this degree if you plan to enter an occupation that requires a broad general education, if you are seeking career advancement or personal intellectual enrichment, or if you are considering a preprofessional plan.
 

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

  • 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.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 30 units of Strategic Leadership specialization requirements
  • Completion of Computer Literacy, Communication Skills, and Science or Language Requirements
  • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Interdisciplinary Studies, 90-30 Industrial Leadership is to provide a quality education in leadership within the industrial technology industries, general business and liberal studies.  Given the requirement for significant coordination between multiple departments and firms, the program emphasizes communication, collaboration and teamwork, including virtual teamwork and its facilitating technologies.  Courses emphasize pragmatic, real-world-relevant content and utilize realistic experiential assignments, including many complex team-oriented assignments that encourage students to apply the theories and practical knowledge of leadership into their own business or employers.  Students will work with local business entities on a project aimed at utilizing all the skills gained in the coursework for the degree to develop and present a solution to Leadership problems those entities are facing. Upon completing the degree, students will be prepared to fill leadership roles within the industrial type organizations to solve problems and meet those organization’s objectives. The faculty, a mix of academics and experienced practitioners, are highly qualified following the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Quality is further promoted through a comprehensive outcomes assessment program as well as a mentoring program in which full-time faculty work closely with and support part-time faculty.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate efficient use of written and oral business communication skills to identify a problem and communicate the solution to stakeholders.
    • Graduates will produce professional and business appropriate memos using effective and concise writing skills to identify business problems and propose solutions to those problems. 
    • Graduates will research past and present organizational theory, hypothesis a business solution, and provide the findings in an APA format academic research paper.
    • Graduates will develop and deliver persuasive oral presentations, hold and conduct business meetings (online and in-person) demonstrating proficient use of digital tools, language, and communication skills to explain problems and provide solutions.
  • Explain how the project solution will improve business operations.
    • Graduates will use knowledge and skills from any of the following administration areas; teams and project management, leadership, management information systems, or conflict management to identify areas for improvement.
    • Graduates will use theory and/or real-life experience in teams and project management, leadership, management information systems, or conflict management to provide possible improvement plans.
    • Using written and/or oral communication skills, graduates will explain how implementing the improvement plans will achieve the desired results.
  • Formulate ethical concerns of leadership in the industrial technology industry.
    • Using ethical codes/statement from business areas like marketing, management, and human resources, graduates will explain ethical concerns facing the industrial technology industries and identify ethical solutions. 
  • Use team-building skills in virtual and in-person.
    • Using the principles of forming, storming, norming, and performing, graduates will develop effective teams in both a virtual and in-person environment.

Liberal Studies Requirement
    • Students with a completed AGEC from Arizona Community Colleges will have met the 35 units of liberal studies requirements.
    • Students transferring into this program from California may meet NAU's liberal studies requirements by completing an IGETC at a California Community College. Please contact an advisor for more information.
    • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.
Major Requirements

  • 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.

Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements

  • Communication Requirements (6 units)

    Choose 6 units in the following two categories. 

    • Performance-based courses, select one from the following (3 units)
      • CST 111, CST 311, CST 312, CST 314, CST 315, CST 318 (Performance-based courses are defined as having at least 51 percent of the evaluation of the student being based upon oral performance.)
      • Or advisor approved
    • Theory-based courses, select one from the following (3 units)

  • 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)

    • Foreign Language Requirement (16 units)
      • You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP, or other exams.
    AND
    • Computer Literacy (3 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.
      • Select one from the following (3 units)
        • [BBA 293]
        • [ISM 120]
  • OR

    Science Requirement Option (18 units)

  • Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):

    • ANT 101, ANT 250
    • GSP 130, GSP 150
    • Courses with Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Mathematics, Nutrition, Physical Science, Physics, Statistics prefixes. Please note that other courses must be approved by the program director.

  • 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.

    • Select ISM 120 or BBA 293 (3 units)
    • BBA 340 or Advisor Approved coursework including the CIS or CS prefix (3 units)
General Electives

  • 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.

Additional Information

  • 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.