Print this page.About the Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS) in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management is intended to serve the mature learner. The mature learner is often defined as a person at least twenty-five years of age who has already had significant life experiences and who is currently pursuing multiple life roles. Many of our current students are employed full-time, have family, civic, and other personal responsibilities and are pursuing their degree on a part-time basis. Students who have earned a professional associate degree and are working adults are the target audience. The average age of our current students is 36.
Career Opportunities
The majority of students who enter the BAIS are already employed. Expected outcomes of an interdisciplinary studies program vary. Since students majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies will have be taking courses in several different areas, it is difficult to list job opportunities. Certainly all graduates should possess competencies in the areas of written and oral communications; mathematical, scientific, and technical literacy; and possess an ethical and social agenda. More pragmatic outcomes for adult learners include job promotion, employment mobility, or the ability to apply for a graduate program.
The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and in increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management , you must meet all University admissions requirements, including (for freshmen) a completed application, non-refundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 academic units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. If the applicant qualifies for admission to the University, the letter of admission will direct the student to make an appointment with an advisor associated with the BAIS program. The BAIS admissions process requires the student to articulate clear academic goals and to make a personal proposal for how the student will meet those goals through USC coursework. After earning at least 45 hours, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Program of Study
Each student must present at least 120 approved hours to receive the BAIS degree. Of these 120 hours, at least 36 hours must contribute to the major and be earned at USC. These hours must be responsive to the proposed theme or areas of concentration. An area of concentration is composed of at least 15 hours of progressive, upper-division work in a single discipline. Specific course information can be found in the Academic Bulletin.
Of Special Interest
All of the classrooms in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management are multimedia ready with computer and video projection equipment, speaker system, a modern networked computer, and a DVD/VCR combo unit. The BAIS requires that the student take an active role in the development of a program of study. Students who pursue the BAIS should possess clear academic goals and be prepared to suggest coursework that will help them reach their academic goals. Students who are undecided, who are not comfortable with assuming responsibility for their education or who really prefer another degree usually do not benefit from the educational approach offered by the BAIS.
BAIS Web site