The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on Friday unanimously approved a new Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree primarily designed to help adult students in Wisconsin complete a baccalaureate degree. It is the first time the University of Wisconsin Colleges has been permitted to offer a bachelor’s degree.

The B.A.A.S. is a degree-completion program designed to help place-bound adult learners obtain a bachelor’s degree in their communities. The degree includes such innovations as credit for prior experiential learning (including knowledge gained at a job) and a capstone course that will require students to be engaged in their communities.

Six campuses will offer the degree in partnership with UW System universities: UW-Baraboo/Sauk County (partnered with UW-La Crosse), UW-Barron County (UW-Superior and UW-Stout), UW-Marshfield/Wood County (UW-Stevens Point), UW-Richland (UW-Platteville), UW-Rock County (UW-Platteville) and UW-Waukesha (UW-Parkside). After a five year review period, there will be an opportunity for the UW System and the Board of Regents to consider whether to expand the degree to all 13 UW Colleges campuses.

“This degree is timely and relevant to today’s adult students,” said Greg Lampe, UW Colleges Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “It gives place-bound individuals an opportunity to earn a college degree who might not be able to go to a four-year campus. It meets the needs of local businesses and organizations for employees who are skilled in teamwork and communications. And it meets Wisconsin’s need for a more educated workforce.”

Lampe said the goal is “to serve the needs of local businesses and organizations as well as students who are already working in those businesses and organizations.”

The degree could be offered as early as fall 2012. However, it might not be in place until 2013, Lampe said. It still requires accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and curriculum and policy development by UW Colleges faculty. The Board of Regents also approved a mission change for UW Colleges related to the BAAS degree.

The University of Wisconsin Colleges is a unit of the University of Wisconsin System comprised of 13 campuses and UW Colleges Online that offer an Associate of Arts and Science degree and prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for baccalaureate and professional programs.

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