Integrative Studies

Integrative Studies is an excellent program of study for students who want to customize their major to fit their specific needs and aspirations, for those who are interested in multiple areas of study, or for transfer students who would like to use the major to approximate a two-plus-two program*. 

Students create their own path, choosing three concentrations, or minors, instead of a traditional major. They may further customize their degree by enrolling in an internship course or working with faculty on research. All students must complete a minimum of 44 credit hours for the Integrative Studies major, which includes LIBS 350 Interdisciplinary Skills Course (required), and LIBS 450 Capstone Course (recommended). Integrative Studies leads to an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, depending on the concentrations selected.

In addition to allowing students the opportunity to build an individualized program suited to their personal and/or career goals, Integrative Studies can provide an excellent foundation for professional education in many areas, including law, business, public administration, counseling, and social work.

More about Integrative Studies

Integrative Studies includes all the academic minors (which become concentrations for this major) in CASL, plus the programs in the College of Business; College of Education, Health, and Human Services (excluding teacher certification minors); and Computer and Information Science from the College of Engineering and Computer Science. An advisory committee of faculty and staff oversees the program.

  • *Students transferring from a community college with an associate degree may transfer a maximum of 30 credit hours of general credit courses (GENL) alongside additional transfer credits up to 62 transfer credit hours. 
  • The Foreign Language requirement is not needed for this major.
  • LIBS 350 Interdisciplinary Skills course is required.
  • LIBS 450 Capstone is strongly recommended but may be replaced with any other DDC approved capstone course.
  • Integrative Studies concentrations are subject to the same policies and restrictions as program minors.

For more information contact CASL Advising and Academic Success, 1039 CB, casladvising@umich.edu or 313-593-5293 for additional information about this major.

 
 

Dearborn Discovery Core (General Education)

All students must satisfy the University’s Dearborn Discovery Core requirements, in addition to the requirements for the major.  Students must also complete all CASL Degree Requirements.

Major Requirements

Integrative Studies students must select three concentrations. Concentrations are divided into CASL Concentrations and Non-CASL concentrations. You may choose all three concentrations from the CASL group or two concentrations from the CASL Group and one concentration from the non-CASL concentrations group. 

  • CASL Concentrations Group: 12-18 credit hours at the upper level required (plus prerequisites as needed) in each concentration chosen. 

 African and African American Studies, Anthropology, Applied Art, Applied Statistics, Arabic, Arab American Studies, Art History and Museum Studies, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Communications, Community Change Studies, Chemistry, Comparative Literature, Computer and Computational Mathematics, Criminology and Criminal Justice, DEI and the Workplace,  Economics, English, Environmental Science, Film Studies,  French Studies, Game Studies and Design, Geography, Global Cultures, Hispanic Studies, History, Journalism, Law and Society, Leadership & Communication in Organizations, Linguistics,  Mathematics, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Microbiology, Music, Nonprofit and Public Service Leadership, Organizational Change in a Global Environment, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Public Relations, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Science Research Methodology, Society and Technological Change, Sociology, Urban and Regional Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies.

 
Applied Behavioral Analysis Concentration 4+1 Program Option
Students admitted into the Applied Behavioral Analysis Concentration 4+1 Program and who remain in good academic standing may complete an ABA concentration that counts as one of their three Integrative Studies concentrations. The Applied Behavioral Analysis concentration is a Non-CASL Concentration; therefore, the other two Integrative Studies concentrations must be from the CASL Concentrations group. Please see the ABA Concentration for admission and other information.
 
Interdisciplinary Skills Course - all students must complete LIBS 350.
Capstone Course - all students must complete LIBS 450 OR any DDC capstone course (with attribute GECE). Please note many capstone courses have prerequisites. Please work closely with your academic advisor to select a capstone course.
 

A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for each concentration.  The GPA for CASL concentrations is based on all coursework required within the concentration (excluding prerequisites).  The GPA for the Artificial Intelligence, Game Design and CIS concentrations are based on CIS 150, 200, 275 and all upper level 300-4999 CIS courses.  The GPA for College of Business concentrations will include all of the following, if taken:  ACC 298, 299; and any upper level 300-4999 courses offered by the College of Business.

A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for each concentration.  The GPA for CASL concentrations is based on all coursework required within the concentration (excluding prerequisites).  The GPA for the Artificial Intelligence, Game Design and CIS concentrations are based on CIS 150, 200, 275 and all upper level 300-4999 CIS courses.  The GPA for College of Business concentrations will include all of the following, if taken:  ACC 298, 299; and any upper level 300-4999 courses offered by the College of Business.

Learning Goals

  1. Demonstrate a familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in each concentration.
  2. Understand and apply research methods from multiple disciplines and be capable of navigating various technologies for obtaining information, conducting literature reviews, and collecting and analyzing information or data.
  3. Think critically across disciplinary lines and demonstrate a creative breadth of knowledge drawn from diverse perspectives.
  4. Apply learning to problems and challenges using an interdisciplinary perspective.