Designed with the working adult in mind, the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) is an online completion program designed for students hoping to transition from their technical fields to a bachelor’s degree.
According to the B.A.S. website, “This interdisciplinary program is for students who desire to enhance their knowledge, analytical abilities and critical thinking skills for upward mobility in their field.” Students in the B.A.S. degree program will complete 18 hours of required organizational leadership courses and 18 hours of professional course electives. Required courses include Principles of Management, Writing for the Workplace, and Professional Communication. Options for the professional course electives include Data Analysis/Visualization, Organizational Psychology, and Persuasive Presentations.
To qualify for admission, prospective students must have an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree from a regionally-accredited college or university, or at least 40 hours of technical military credits. These credits will be applied to the 120 credit hours required for the B.A.S. degree.
Freshmen
The College of Social Sciences and Communication B.A.S. and Transfer Advisor Louis Scivally works with current and prospective students to make sure their path to a degree is as straightforward as possible.
“My process is this – make an appointment with me, and then you’ve got me for an hour. I will answer questions and talk for an hour…. I’m going to clarify, and make sure you understand,” Louis said.
For students who express an interest in the B.A.S., Louis first makes certain that they know what a degree of applied science consists of. “This degree is Bachelor of Applied Science. It’s not a bachelor of business. It’s not a bachelor of computer science. It’s an interdisciplinary degree. We are working with business, social science, [and] communication …” Louis said.
Transfers
Students who have completed their A.A.S. from a regionally-accredited school or who have at least 40 hours of technical military credit* can schedule an appointment with Louis to work out the details of applying that credit to a B.A.S. Before the appointment however, students can always better prepare themselves by checking with their previous school to see if they are accredited by one of the six regionally accredited bodies.
The regional accrediting bodies are:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (UA Little Rock’s accrediting body)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
[List provided by Jennifer Moody, Director of the Office of Transfer Student Services]
*Military students who don’t know how many technical credit hours they have completed may contact the Military Student Success Center for help with determining hours.
UA Little Rock also provides students with a Transfer Equivalency Guide so students can see how their courses may transfer.
Advice
Louis is realistic about the obstacles students must overcome for their education. Because of the specialized nature of a B.A.S., he works closely with students to navigate the transition and make information more accessible.
“Talk to me. I can help you. We’re here to help you … We’ll talk through it together,” Louis said.
For many people working full time, and for those with children, finishing a bachelor’s degree may seem unthinkable. However, even if it’s one class at a time, it is attainable. As with any degree, compromises must be made, but Louis sees the potential in his students.
“You can do it. Let’s do this together. People don’t believe in themselves enough. You’ve got this … It’s the beginning of a change. One day at a time,” Louis said.
For more information on the B.A.S. check out ualr.edu/online/programs/bas.
To make an appointment with Louis, call him at 501-537-1930, email him at lfscivally@ualr.edu or go to calendly.com/thelinkadvising.