B.A.S. Degree Will Strengthen and Diversify Wyoming Workforce |  
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Oct. 23, 2007 -- A new bachelor of applied science (B.A.S.) degree program will provide a path to additional career opportunities for the Wyoming workforce, according to state education leaders.
The new degree was announced today (Tuesday) during a ceremony at the University of Wyoming Outreach School offices in Casper. Approved in January by the UW Board of Trustees, the B.A.S. degree was developed through extensive collaboration among UW, Wyoming Community College faculty and administrators, and the Wyoming Community College Commission.
"Wyoming's economy needs more workers with leadership, communication and problem solving skills; a broad understanding of societies and our global economy; and a knowledge of how organizations work," says Rollin Abernethy, UW associate vice president for academic affairs. "The B.A.S. degree will give workers throughout Wyoming the means to broaden their knowledge and skills, which should allow them to move into leadership and management positions, and to more actively participate in their communities as civic leaders."
Community college students with an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree and work experience will be able to earn a B.A.S. degree from the UW College of Agriculture. Details about the degree qualifications and requirements can be found on the Web at http://outreach.uwyo.edu/ocp/bas.asp.
"Community and economic development efforts have traditionally been major components of our Land-Grant mission, and the opportunity to help individuals acquire additional job training and skills is part of that mission," says College of Agriculture Dean Frank Galey.
Ed Boenisch, deputy director of the Wyoming Community College Commission, says Wyoming's community colleges have long endorsed the establishment of the B.A.S. degree in Wyoming.
"We are very pleased that it is now one more option available to Wyoming community college graduates with applied science degrees," Boenisch says. "It will be an essential tool for those who want to increase their opportunities for advancement in the workforce."
The B.A.S. degree has four basic components: University Studies, a Career Specialty Component, a Professional Concentration Component, and an Elective Component. All UW coursework for the B.A.S. degree will be delivered through distance technologies by the UW Outreach School to support site-bound students.
In his fall convocation address, UW President Tom Buchanan noted that the unprecedented support education is receiving from the state is grounded in a growing economy that will require a larger and better-educated workforce.
"Our responsibility to provide that well-educated workforce goes way beyond our responsibility to educate Wyoming's newly minted high school graduates -- to think otherwise would be naive. Whether it is a degree from UW, a community college program, or an accredited technical program, we need to fill that workforce pipeline with learners of all kinds."
For more information, call Laurie Bonini at (307) 766-4034 or e-mail lbonini@uwyo.edu.
Photo:
University of Wyoming Outreach School Dean Maggi Murdock visits via video teleconference with Julie Caywood at Sheridan College during a ceremony to announce the availability of a new bachelor of applied science degree. Caywood is among the first students in the new degree program. (Tammi Hanshaw Photo)
Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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