BYU-Idaho to Offer Bachelor of University Studies Degree Online

In today's world, it is increasingly rare for one to thrive in the business world with less than a Bachelor's degree. More education means more income. Receiving a degree though, is more than a tool for material success. Elder Russell M. Nelson says, "Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility." (Where is Wisdom?) Thus, Latter Day Saints recognize that the reward for obtaining an education exceeds worldly value. It can be difficult though, for those with binding obligations to their jobs and families to simply return to school full-time or even part-time, especially if one does not live near campus. However, with today's technology, it may not be necessary for students to live near campus in order to receive a Bachelor's degree from BYU-Idaho.

The primary purpose of the BUS Online program will be to help former Ricks and BYU-I students to use their existing credit to complete a BS or BA. The program will initially offer four emphases: English, History, Communications, and Business. To be admitted, an applicant must be a former Ricks or BYU-I student unable to return to campus. They must have completed at least 30 credit hours of previous residency at BYU-I and be in good academic and financial standing. BUS Online Students will commit to the Honor Code, maintain annual ecclesiastical endorsement, and be matriculated as off-campus BYU-I students accepted to the BUS Online program.

One may wonder how BYU-Idaho's online classes will be unique. First, to take any course from BYU-Idaho, traditional or online, all students are required to have an ecclesiastical endorsement. Second, online classes from BYU-Idaho are tied to a semester, so a group of students can progress through the course together and interact with each other. Finally, BYU-I’s online courses will be based on the university’s own unique learning model, with an emphasis on individual and group preparation and teaching one another. BYU-Idaho's classes make use of wikis, blogs, and other resources to make the experience fun and collaborative.

The Bachelor of University Studies degree may be the beginning of multiple online degrees. Henry Eyring, Outreach & Online Education Managing Director says, "Initially we will offer only the [Bachelor of University Studies], but if the program proves successful and the Board approves, we may add other degrees."

Interested applicants should visit the new BUS Online website for more information.