Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)

Who should apply?

Adults (age 25 and older) who are interested in finishing their bachelor’s degree.

The BIS program offers you a distinctive opportunity to complete your degree.

Adults enter this individualized study program for many different reasons. Some are pursuing the BIS degree as preparation for further education in graduate and certificate programs. Others see the BIS degree as a gateway for professional advancement or career change. Still, others want to complete an undergraduate degree through BIS primarily for personal satisfaction. Some distinctive features of the BIS degree include the following:

• Adult focused, student centered and an inclusive community of Military Veterans.
• Students create an academic program based on their professional and personal goals.
• The BIS program has a generous acceptance policy for transfer of academic credits from regionally accredited institutions and institutions worldwide.
• Military veterans’ Joint Services Transcripts credits are accepted up to a limit of 45.

Financial Aid

For information on loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Why choose George Mason?

George Mason University has been recognized as one of the nation’s top research universities with an R1, “Very high research” designation which acknowledges the outstanding scholarship of Mason’s faculty and students.  BIS students have the unique opportunity to take courses from various departments across Mason and count them toward their BIS degrees.

BIS has a flexible curriculum: As a BIS student you create an interdisciplinary concentration to meet your own educational needs.

Through the BIS degree, you can advance professionally, prepare for graduate or professional school, or position yourself for a career change. The advisers and faculty are committed to helping you build on your life experience to create a satisfying and rewarding degree program.