FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Interested in the Bachelor of Applied Science degree through the University of Wyoming? Here are some commonly asked questions with answers to help get you started:

• Who completes this degree?
  This degree is designed for individuals who have completed an associate degree at a Wyoming Community College or other accredited institution. The degree is especially relevant for those who need or desire the additional breadth in skills, knowledge, and professional expertise to enhance their capabilities in their own careers and in the organizations in which they work.
• Can I complete this degree at a distance?
  This degree can only be completed through distance delivery methods. It is not available on campus at the University of Wyoming.
• What is required to apply?
  Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Apply to the University of Wyoming through Admissions, declaring the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership.
  2. Have official transcripts from all institutions attended sent to Admissions. Be aware that it frequently takes a month or more for transcripts to be received and loaded into the system. Be sure that final transcripts are sent that show an earned associate’s degree
  3. When accepted, the student should contact program director Rosalind Grenfell (rgrenfel@uwyo.edu), to enroll in classes.
• I’m in the military. Will this program work for me?
  Since this program uses distance delivery methods, it is ideal for military personnel who may have duty assignments that require moving from place to place. Accredited courses that you may take as part of your military training that lead to an Associate’s degree will come in as coursework in your major.
• Will I have an advisor?
  All students have an assigned advisor who will work with the student throughout their degree program. The advisor will analyze General Transfer Credits for program equivalents, work with the student to determine how many courses per semester they want to take, recommend the appropriate course sequence so that prerequisites are followed, and answer any questions the student might have about their program.
  
  The current advisors, and the only ones approved to advise BAS students, are Dr. Josh Valk and Valorie Lyman. They can be reached by email at bas@uwyo.edu and can also be reached by phone at (307) 268-2713. They can also help with any questions you might have prior to applying for the BAS.
• What is required for degree completion?
  The BAS has four basic components. These components are university studies, career specialty, professional concentration, and electives. All students graduating from the University of Wyoming must have 42 hours of credit at the 3000 and 4000 level; 30 total hours in the degree program must be completed through the University of Wyoming. Students must complete all courses on the BAS check list with a “C”or better; courses where a “C-“, “D” or “F” are earned must be retaken.
  
  The University Studies Program (USP 2015) Component consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours as adopted by the University of Wyoming. Community College articulation is in progress. Update information can be found at http://www.uwyo.edu/unst/usp2015/colleges/ . Students with an Associate of Applied Science degree from a Wyoming community college will normally matriculate with 15-20 hours of credit that count toward this component. The remainder will be acquired as part of the student’s UW coursework, including the Professional Concentration or Electives coursework.
  
  The Career Specialty Component is fulfilled with the Associate of Applied Science degree. This component will consist of a minimum of 40 credit hours in the major.
  
  The Professional Concentration Component is the advanced component of the program and the courses are selected by the student and the advisor. The specifics may vary according to the student’s program, community college, and the student’s interests and career aspirations. However, all students are required to take a range of courses from the prescribed set of areas of concentration within this component. This component provides the breadth and depth of learning necessary for a baccalaureate degree. This component will consist of 36-40 upper division or articulated equivalent credit hours.
  
  The Elective Component will consist of the number of credit hours needed (after completing the other three components) to complete the minimum total credit hours (120) required. This component also provides an opportunity for each student to individualize their learning to fit their career aspirations.
• I have 100 hours of transfer credit. Do I have only 20 hours of coursework to complete to receive the BAS degree?
  While a minimum of 120 hours of coursework are needed for the BAS degree, students must complete the coursework on the check list and all University Studies Program (USP) requirements, including 42 hours of upper division (3000 and 4000 level coursework), 30 of which must come from the University of Wyoming.
  
  Note on the check list that each category indicates the number of hours needed and how many courses are required for each area of the degree program.
• What if I decide to change my major once I’ve been accepted into the BAS program?
  If you decide to change your major from the BAS to another program that will result in a B.S. or B.A. degree, you may lose some credit hours if your original degree was an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). The BAS program accepts technical and other credits associated with an A.A.S. that may not be applicable for other degree programs. Should you contemplate changing your major, it is recommended that you work with an advisor so you understand fully what the change will entail.
• How do I sign up for classes?
  Advising will occur every October/November for spring courses, and every March for summer and fall enrollment. Your advisor will recommend the courses you need to take. Do not attempt to register for courses without first contacting your advisor. Failure to do so may result in being dropped from your classes!
• How do I get textbooks?
  Once you have enrolled in a course, contact the University Bookstore at 1-800-423-5809 or order books online using the WyoWeb portal at http://wyoweb.uwyo.edu. Books can be charged and will be shipped directly to you.
• What is SI?
  SI is Supplemental Instruction. It is an option in your AGRI 3000 course and you may find it in other online courses in your program as well. Supplemental instruction sessions are designed to promote greater student interaction and peer support. Supplemental instruction sessions are facilitated by an undergraduate or graduate student leader who attends the course regularly and engages in the readings and discussions. Most SI leaders have already taken and successfully completed the course, and had the same teacher as the students he/she is leading. It has also been shown in studies that students who regularly attend SI sessions are more successful in the course. More information on SI is available at www.uwyo.edu/learn/si/.
• Are there internship possibilities? I have been accepted into the BAS program and want to complete an internship as part of my Career Electives category. Can I register for an internship right away?
  AGRI 4960 is an internship that was created just for BAS students. It can be applied to the Career Elective portion of the degree program. In order to take AGRI 4960 BAS Internship, you must

  1. Be in your final year in the BAS program, preferably in your final semester.
  2. Have gotten approval from your advisor to contact the course instructor.
  3. Contact the course instructor for internship site approval and to receive the course syllabus.
  4. Return the signed legal liability form that the course instructor will send you during finals week the semester prior to enrollment in the internship.
  5. Hold a conference call with the course instructor, you, and your on-site mentor to approve your project and create a contract for that project.
• May I count prior courses as Career Electives?
  All Career Electives must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level and must directly relate to your career goals. Courses taken as part of your associate’s degree can’t count. All Career Electives must be approved by your advisor, Rosalind Grenfell. For any course in the Career Electives category, you must write an email prior to taking the course that indicates a justification for counting the course as a Career Elective. This is true of the internship as well. Once Mrs. Grenfell approves your ability to take a course in the Career Elective category, you may register for the course. Failure to get prior approval will mean that the course cannot count as a Career Elective.
• What about Financial Aid?
  Planning ahead is critical for financial aid options, including possible support from your employer. Learn more about applying for financial aid.

The University of Wyoming and UW Distance Programs wish you the very best in pursuing your dreams of continuing your education and career aspirations. Please do not hesitate to call or contact us.