Earning a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) can help working professionals pursue rewarding careers in any number of spaces with knowledge in problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration and business. The knowledge and skills gained in such a degree program are widely transferable and applicable to most any industry.
The Northwest Missouri State University online BAS program reflects this versatility in its broad-ranging course offerings and focus on real-world application. The online design of this affordable degree program is especially beneficial for people with substantial work or family time commitments outside of school. The degree’s flexibility is ideal for those with previous vocational or technical experience and qualifications, such as an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or an Associate of Science (AS).
What Will I Study in This Degree Program?
Northwest’s BAS online program emphasizes critical thinking, business, technology and leadership skill development. Students in the program choose from the following areas of emphasis to tailor their degrees to their interests: business management, computer business application, general studies, information technology (general, data analytics or cybersecurity), marketing, psychology or public relations.
Core coursework delves into interpersonal communications, relationships and behavior in the organizational context. Graduates will gain skills in problem-solving, teamwork, workforce management and business strategy.
Because this program is ideal for those with vocational and technical knowledge, applicants can transfer credits from previous vocational or technical experience to their four-year degree through Northwest. The program page allows applicants to use a tuition estimator to get a sense of how many transfer credits for which they might qualify.
What Can I Do With a BAS?
The study of applied science lends itself to leadership positions focusing on relationships, motivation and collaboration. Indeed defines applied science as “using scientific knowledge for practice applications” and encompasses a handful of fields from biology and engineering to healthcare and technology.
Human resources (HR) management is a good example of an operational area for program graduates. Northwest offers coursework in HR management that covers topics in the field like labor relations and compensation management. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that median pay for HR managers in 2022 was $30,000 per year.
Graduates can also go into construction project management, where they monitor projects and make decisions regarding construction efforts. According to BLS, the annual salary for construction managers in 2022 was $101,480.
Graduates can even go the engineering and software route with this degree. For example, professionals who are software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers often work in computer systems design, manufacturing or software publishing. They analyze software needs, recommend updates for existing programs or systems and identify project risks within the technology space. According to BLS, these professionals made an average annual salary of $124,200 in 2022.
Graduates of this program can also find jobs in other fields like information technology (IT), academia, social work, marketing and more. Regardless of the path graduates take, studying applied science can set professionals up for the versatile, foundational, expansive knowledge necessary for any number or roles or future education pursuits. Northwest’s program is convenient and flexible, providing working professionals (and those with their AS or AAS degree) a way to advance career prospects.
Learn more about Northwest Missouri State University’s online Bachelor of Applied Science program.
