The UCA Board of Trustees approved a proposal to establish a Bachelor of Applied Science degree program at its May 7 meeting.
Dr. Emogene Fox, chair of the Department of Health Sciences, said the degree program had been requested by people hoping to advance in their careers.
?We?ve had a strong collection of students who have completed associates degrees contact us,? Fox said. ?They are in mid-profession and need a bachelor?s degree.
?This degree will enable people who are already working to increase their career opportunities,? Fox said. ?They have been working already and developed a lot of skill in their area, but they need a degree for promotion.?
The UCA College of Health and Applied Sciences and the Division of Academic Outreach and Extended Programs worked together to develop a proposal for the new degree. The departments will target students who attended community colleges or received associates degrees.
Students will choose to concentrate in either health and safety or leadership and technology.
Because students in this degree program will be non-traditional, different types of classes will be offered to better fit the students? schedules.
Fox said the students will probably already be working in their career, taking care of family and trying to finish a degree, so the classes will vary.
?Classes will be atypical ? offered through distance learning, Internet and compressed video,? Fox said.
Some courses will be offered on campus at night, early morning or during weekends. The departments also are looking into offering classes that will provide a combination of classroom time and Internet study.
Students will be able to transfer up to 60 hours to apply toward the 124 hours required for the degree. They will be required to complete 47 hours for general education and 45 hours for either degree concentration. No minor is required.
She said the program would have statewide appeal because of Internet courses and distance learning options.
Fox estimates about 15 students will enroll in the program each year.
?Today people can continue to work and carry on with their families and go to school because of the atypical courses,? Fox said. ?It?s much easier to get your degree. We are trying to make classes more and more accessible for people wanting to go to school.?
The Department of Health Sciences looked to 15 four-year colleges and universities across the country to develop the proposed degree. The only other program like this in the state is at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
Fox anticipates it may take a student working hard, taking six hours a semester and summer classes, four years to complete the degree. Because most students in this degree program will likely be working and may have a family, they will not be able to take a full class load and finish within a couple of years.
The proposal was sent to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and if it gains approval, the degree program will likely be offered in the fall.
-Rachel Roberts
