Flexible Degree Structures
Because BYU-Idaho is committed to providing you with an innovative educational experience, the university has built greater flexibility and versatility into your degree options.
BYU-Idaho has four bachelor's degree structures designed to help you:
- Have flexibility
- Graduate faster
- Save money
- Prepare for a career and life options
Standard Degree:
- 40-55 major credits
- No minor or clusters
- 40 Foundations credits
- Elective credits to reach 120 total credits
List of Standard Degrees
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STANDARD DEGREE
[SCENARIO]
Sean has had a difficult time deciding what he wants to do for his career. Before his mission he was thinking of going to law school, declared himself a Humanities major and completed 12 of the major's core credits.
After his mission, Sean changed his major three times: first to Biology then Sociology, and finally felt settled with International Studies.
The only problem is that the 26 credits accumulated from his previous majors won't satisfy any of the requirements for the International Studies degree.
However, with the new flexible degree structures, International Studies falls under the new standard degree requirements. Sean can now use those 26 credits as part of his elective credits and still graduate on time, thus saving him time and money.
[SCENARIO]
Sean has had a difficult time deciding what he wants to do for his career. Before his mission he was thinking of going to law school, declared himself a Humanities major and completed 12 of the major's core credits.
After his mission, Sean changed his major three times: first to Biology then Sociology, and finally felt settled with International Studies.
The only problem is that the 26 credits accumulated from his previous majors won't satisfy any of the requirements for the International Studies degree.
However, with the new flexible degree structures, International Studies falls under the new standard degree requirements. Sean can now use those 26 credits as part of his elective credits and still graduate on time, thus saving him time and money.
Integrated Standard Degree:
- Up to 67 credits in major
- Minor or clusters req'd
- 40 Foundations credits
- Elective credits to reach 120 total credits
List of Integrated Standard Degrees
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INTEGRATED STANDARD DEGREE
Specialized Degree:
- Up to 80 credits in major
- 40 Foundations credits
- Elective credits limited to reach 120 total credits
List of Specialized Degrees
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SPECIALIZED DEGREE
[SCENARIO]
Mandy has always wanted to be a nurse and is currently taking Foundations classes and the prerequisites required to apply for the nursing program. After two successful semesters and a total of 30 college credits, she applied to the Associate of Science degree in Nursing and was accepted.
Once she is finished completing the associate's degree, Mandy wants to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing online degree program.
Because Mandy knew early on that she wanted to major in a specialized degree, she was able to map the appropriate plan to reach her destination in a timely and cost effective way. Mandy's associate's degree and the online bachelor's degree combine for a total of 79 major credits. Adding in her required Foundations classes, Mandy will graduate within her 120 credit hours required for a bachelor's degree.
Students wanting to major in a specialized degree at BYU-Idaho will need to plan early and sequence their classes effectively in order to graduate on time. Specialized degrees include education, engineering, computer science, social work, music performance and more.
[SCENARIO]
Mandy has always wanted to be a nurse and is currently taking Foundations classes and the prerequisites required to apply for the nursing program. After two successful semesters and a total of 30 college credits, she applied to the Associate of Science degree in Nursing and was accepted.
Once she is finished completing the associate's degree, Mandy wants to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing online degree program.
Because Mandy knew early on that she wanted to major in a specialized degree, she was able to map the appropriate plan to reach her destination in a timely and cost effective way. Mandy's associate's degree and the online bachelor's degree combine for a total of 79 major credits. Adding in her required Foundations classes, Mandy will graduate within her 120 credit hours required for a bachelor's degree.
Students wanting to major in a specialized degree at BYU-Idaho will need to plan early and sequence their classes effectively in order to graduate on time. Specialized degrees include education, engineering, computer science, social work, music performance and more.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree:
- Select a Concentration
(30-36 credits) - Add one of the following:
- One minor, or
- Two clusters, or
- 2nd concentration
List of Interdisciplinary Studies Degrees
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INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES DEGREE
[SCENARIO]
Eric attended a community college for two years before transferring to BYU-Idaho. He declared himself as an Accounting major at BYU-Idaho. After completing 20 credits in the Accounting major, Eric just wasn’t sure this is what he wanted to do the rest of his life.
As he was thinking about his situation, Eric realized that he has always loved computers, especially knowing how they worked and their capabilities. He wondered what it would take to still get a Computer Engineering degree at BYU-Idaho. Unfortunately, with 45 transfer credits (only 20 counting towards Foundations classes), 20 Accounting credits and needing 77 credits for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering; it would take over 162 credits for Eric to graduate.
However, Eric is not completely stuck. Now with the interdisciplinary studies degree, he can get a concentration in Computer Science Hardware (36 credits) and use his accounting classes for a minor in Accounting (24 credits). It will now take Eric only 125 credits to graduate from BYU-Idaho. This moves Eric further along his career desires and better prepares him for the Computer Engineering Master’s program he desires to enter.
[SCENARIO]
Eric attended a community college for two years before transferring to BYU-Idaho. He declared himself as an Accounting major at BYU-Idaho. After completing 20 credits in the Accounting major, Eric just wasn’t sure this is what he wanted to do the rest of his life.
As he was thinking about his situation, Eric realized that he has always loved computers, especially knowing how they worked and their capabilities. He wondered what it would take to still get a Computer Engineering degree at BYU-Idaho. Unfortunately, with 45 transfer credits (only 20 counting towards Foundations classes), 20 Accounting credits and needing 77 credits for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering; it would take over 162 credits for Eric to graduate.
However, Eric is not completely stuck. Now with the interdisciplinary studies degree, he can get a concentration in Computer Science Hardware (36 credits) and use his accounting classes for a minor in Accounting (24 credits). It will now take Eric only 125 credits to graduate from BYU-Idaho. This moves Eric further along his career desires and better prepares him for the Computer Engineering Master’s program he desires to enter.