Bachelor of Applied Science
The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree at the University of Montana is designed for individuals who have completed an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and want to pursue additional education to strengthen their planned or previous training and improve career advancement opportunities. As such, students pursuing the B.A.S. build a tailored degree plan that suits their specific academic and professional goals.
Only students who have earned an A.A.S. degree from a regionally accredited institution for higher education with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA are eligible to pursue the B.A.S. at UM. The degree requirements for the B.A.S. degree include completion of:
- The University of Montana General Education Requirements (GERs). Categories and approved courses are listed on the General Education Requirements website.
- An area of study or individualized degree pathway customized to connect the student’s A.A.S. degree and desired educational/occupational outcomes.
- At least 30 upper-division credits must be from the area of study or individualized degree pathway.
Each degree plan must be designed around a defined set of program learning outcomes, with outcomes mapped to courses where they are introduced, developed, and mastered—typically one outcome per 9 to 15 credits. There are two types of degree plans: areas of study and individualized degree pathways.
Areas of Study
An area of study is a structured group of courses designed by faculty and grounded in a specific academic discipline, methodology, or professional practice. It provides depth in a coherent subject area while allowing for complementary coursework from related fields. Areas of study are intended for students seeking to build on a focused knowledge base to advance their academic and professional goals.
The Bachelor of Applied Science currently has two areas of study, which are recognized on student transcripts as concentrations:
Individualized Degree Pathway
An individualized degree pathway is a student-designed academic plan that integrates courses from two or more disciplines to explore a theme, question, or career goal that cannot be addressed through a traditional major. These pathways emphasize intellectual coherence, academic rigor, and purpose-driven design. Students work with an academic advisor to ensure the plan meets catalog requirements and convene faculty mentors representing the disciplines involved. The faculty mentors review and approve the proposed curriculum to ensure it fulfills the expectations for a bachelor’s degree and aligns with the student’s educational and professional goals.