Bachelor of Arts in Applied Studies

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Studies is designed to accommodate the varied educational and professional backgrounds of students by teaching competencies that are relevant for a broad range of career and work settings. Students apply to their academic studies the knowledge and skills they have acquired in work, educational, and community environments; and in turn, students apply to their professional work the skills and competencies from their academic coursework. This is a degree completion program especially suited for police officers, EMS workers, firefighters, and other professionals seeking a college degree for career growth and advancement.

While a traditional degree provides depth within a single discipline, the B.A. in Applied Studies offers a learning experience that is trans-disciplinary. Students complete a set of core courses and choose electives or themed concentrations that are suited to their personal interests and career goals. In their capstone course, students produce a portfolio that showcases the synthesis of their academic and professional work for current and future employers.  

Program Mission Statement

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Studies offers a clear and attainable path to degree for students pursuing their careers and whose previous college level credits may not be easily applied to a single discipline or major. The degree integrates upper-division academic study in areas such as organizational and written communication, diversity, and ethics with students’ professional experience, preparing them to achieve their goals for professional advancement and/or to pursue graduate education.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Communication: Communicate effectively through a variety of mediums.
• Diversity: Demonstrate an understanding of intercultural complexities.
• Ethics: Apply ethical principles to personal and professional contexts.
• Applied Learning: Create a professional portfolio linking knowledge or skills acquired in work or community with knowledge acquired in academic study.