Individualized Studies Major (A.I.S.)

Major code AI5509* (Campus code)/AI5499 (OHIO Online)

University College
Chubb Hall 140
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1935
university.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/university-college/associate-individualized-studies

Julie Cohara, Director of Degree Programs/contact person
cohara@ohio.edu

Available at the following locations:

Athens
Chillicothe
Eastern
Lancaster
OHIO Online
Southern
Zanesville

Program Overview

If you wish to pursue a two-year program of study in a field other than those available through one of the other University College associate degree programs (Arts and Humanities Emphasis Major (A.A.) , Social Science Emphasis Major (A.A.) , and General Science Emphasis Major (A.S.) ), you may design your own program of study to meet particular goals through the Associate of Individual Studies (A.I.S.) degree program. The A.I.S. is available to students on all Ohio University campuses.

An A.I.S. Academic Advisor on your campus can assist you as you create your A.I.S. application. Also see the Specialized Studies Major (B.I.S.) for a four-year multidisciplinary and individualized major program.

*This program was previously AI5508 - Associate in Individualized Studies. As part of a recent degree reconciliation process with the State of Ohio, the program code and name will be changing to AI5509 - Individualized Studies effective the 2024-25 catalog year. The degree offered will be the Associate of Individual Study.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

To enter the Individualized Studies program, you must complete an online application for the pre-AIS major (ND5508). Once matriculated, begin collaborating with your AIS advisor to develop your AIS proposal for admission to the AIS major. Students may obtain access to the online application from University College, regional campus, or e-Learning advisors, who will advise the student in designing their Area of Concentration. Applicants must also work with two approved A.I.S. faculty partner reviewers preparing the application. The A.I.S. application deadlines are identical to the Bachelor’s program in Specialized Studies deadlines and are reviewed by the same committee. Twenty hours of A.I.S. degree residency is required, which begin the semester in which the A.I.S. application is submitted by the required residency application deadline.

Change of Program Policy

To enter the Individualized Studies program, you must complete an online application for the pre-AIS major (ND5508). Call 740-593-1935 to make an appointment with a campus appropriate AIS advisor. Once the pre-AIS major is declared, begin collaborating with your AIS advisor to develop your AIS proposal for admission to the AIS major.

External Transfer Admission

To enter the Individualized Studies program, you must receive orientation from an AIS advisor to declare the pre-AIS major (ND5508). Call 740-593-1935 to make an appointment with a campus appropriate AIS advisor. Once the pre-AIS major is declared, begin collaborating with your AIS advisor to develop your AIS proposal for admission to the AIS major.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Because the curriculum plan in the Individualized Studies program is unique to each student, depending on the student’s educational and career goals, potential opportunities upon graduation vary with the student.

Requirements

Associate Degree Information

Second Associate Degree

You cannot earn the same associate degree twice. Furthermore, you are not permitted to earn both the A.A. and A.S. degrees. If you have already earned the A.I.S. degree, you are not permitted to earn either the A.A. or A.S. degree. Although it is possible to complete an A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree with a double major, you can earn the degree only once. If an A.A. or A.S. has been completed previously, you will not be permitted to complete the A.I.S.

Associate Degree After a Baccalaureate Degree

Typically, the Associate of Individual Study degree is not an appropriate degree program for someone who previously has completed a bachelor’s degree. In special circumstances, a person who has completed a prior bachelor’s degree may petition the director of degree programs in University College to seek permission to complete the A.I.S. degree. The Associate of Arts or the Associate of Science degree will not be granted if you have already earned a baccalaureate degree.

Graduation Hours Requirements

The Associate of Individual Study degree requires completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours.

Individualized Studies Program Requirements

To graduate with an Associate of Individual Study degree, you must:

Earn 60 semester credit hours;
Earn at least 20 hours after admission to the A.I.S. program (degree residency requirement).
Complete 15 hours of general education coursework including the following Ohio BRICKS Courses.
a. Foundations: Written Communications course (FWC)
b. Foundations: Quantitative Reasoning (FQR)
c. Pillars: Social or Behavioral Sciences (PSBS) or Arches: Connected World (ACNW)
d. Pillars: Natural Sciences (PNS) or Arches: Natural World (ANW)
e. Pillars: Humanities: Texts & Contexts (PHTC) or Pillars: Humanities: Arts (PHA)
Complete an approved area of concentration, consisting of at least 20 hours, which has coherence and educational purpose equivalent to an established degree program. At least 50 percent of coursework for the A.I.S. area of concentration must be completed at Ohio University.
Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in the area of concentration and overall to earn the degree.