Classes begin next month for a long-awaited program that allows two-year graduates the chance to earn a four-year degree without losing hard-earned credits.
Indiana University Kokomo will launch the Bachelor of Applied Science on Oct. 8, paving the way for more than 40,000 state residents who have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree the opportunity to step in as an upperclassman.
“Without a BAS program, many of those people would have to start all over again to earn a four-year degree,” said John Hughey, chairperson of the Division of Allied Health Sciences, who served on the committee to develop the new program. “The Associate of Applied Science degree was the minimum level to enter their career field, and now they need more to advance. This allows them a path to a bachelor’s degree that was previously unavailable to them, without giving up the credits they worked so hard to earn.”
Kathy Parkison, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the first class, Ethics for Health Professionals, would be offered as an eight-week, online course. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education recently gave the green light for the degree program.
“As teachers, we know an educated citizen will earn a higher salary, will be better able to understand the complex issues facing voters today and will be better equipped to deal with the challenges of life,” Parkison said. “That is why the state of Indiana has been pushing for more citizens to have baccalaureate degrees, and we are happy to offer this degree to help in these efforts.”
This same class will be offered on campus during the spring 2015 semester, along with classes in organizational communication and managing and behavior in organizations, which both will be available on campus and online; and introduction to marketing, an online only class. Additional classes will be introduced later in 2015.
The BAS will be available both online and at IU Kokomo, as well as IU’s four other regional campuses.
Initially, IU Kokomo will offer two tracks: health management and an individualized track, and may later offer focuses on sustainability and new media communication. Other specializations will be added based on needs in each region.
Alan Krabbenhoft, dean of the School of Business, said students will come in as juniors, with 60 credits, and can complete the program in four semesters, taking 15 credit hours per semester.
“It is designed to meet the needs of people who have earned A.A.S. degrees, and have probably gone as far as they can in their career fields without more education,” he said. “With our B.A.S. program, they will learn leadership and supervision skills, and gain new job opportunities.”