The W’s BAS program offers savings, mitigates transfer credit loss
Mississippi University for Women’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) has been admitting students for 15 years and has awarded 356 degrees equating to nearly $4 million in tuition savings.
According to the National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (NSPARC), 89% of the most recently recorded cohort (2019-20) were employed in the State of Mississippi one year after graduation. NSPARC, which is a division of Mississippi State University, was commissioned to perform the study by Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), and the results were announced through the report, “Workforce Outcomes of Public University Graduates.”
“By accepting 40 hours of technical credit, our BAS program provides not only a pathway, but also a tremendous savings in both time and money to students in the process. This program has saved graduates almost $4 million in tuition over its history,” said Dr. Scott Tollison, provost and professor of information systems and workforce development at The W.
The BAS program is for students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). Unlike the overwhelming majority of universities across the nation, The W accepts up to 90 hours of community college transfer credit. Through the BAS program, The W is also one of few universities nationally to accept up to 40 hours of technical credit. By allowing students to count technical hours toward degree requirements, BAS graduates have saved $3.8 million in tuition.
“Since most universities do not accept technical credit from the AAS degree programs at the community college, AAS graduates often do not pursue a bachelor’s degree because they almost have to start over from nearly scratch, “ added Tollison.
Of the 356 graduates in the BAS program, 94% or 333 of them, came to The W from a Mississippi institution.
“The BAS in public health education prepares graduates to fill critical roles in the public health workforce, addressing state and community needs for skilled professionals in health education and promotion. This program empowers students to contribute to healthier communities, improving workforce readiness in Mississippi,” said Dr. Irene Pintado, chair of the Department of Health and Kinesiology, one of the two majors under the BAS umbrella.
There are two majors for BAS students to choose from. The aforementioned public health, which features a healthcare navigator concentration; and business administration, which features concentrations in legal administration, general business, culinary management, human resource management, management information systems, health care management, management, marketing, sports management and nonprofit management.
“The BAS degree in business administration can be a valuable asset for an AAS graduate looking to advance their career or build a successful business. Typically, students who have been awarded degrees in career technical programs plan to go straight into the workplace. However, it is common for AAS graduates in technical fields to own a business, and many soon realize they want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business,” said Dr. Dee Larson, chair of the Department of Business.
Many of the business concentrations are online and the public health major is completely online, giving students the flexibility to complete the work on their own schedule.
“The program is fully online, providing flexibility for working adults and those balancing other commitments. Students can complete coursework from anywhere, ensuring that education is accessible to all, regardless of location. Faculty members are as available to online students as they are to students on campus. Whether it’s through virtual office hours, emails or video conferences, students receive the same high-quality support and mentorship,” said Pintado.
To learn more about the BAS in Public Health, please visit muw.edu/major/publichealthbas/. For more information about the Business Administration BAS, please visit muw.edu/business/bas/.