What is the Bachelor of Applied Studies?

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) is designed for students with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or equivalent degree from an accredited institution. Building on prior education, the BAS provides students with broader experiences and increased opportunities in career areas.

Why does NMSU offer a BAS?

The Bachelor of Applied Studies degree promotes the mission and purpose of NMSU by making available flexible degree options and by providing a pathway of study for community college graduates with technical and applied degrees. It also helps minimize credit loss for associate degree graduates when they want to pursue a baccalaureate degree at NMSU. The student population targeted for this program differs significantly from traditional degree programs at NMSU. The BAS offers new opportunities for current and prospective students, and welcomes those who are:

• Employed fulltime
• Completing their degree at a distance
• Veterans, active duty military personnel or active duty family
• Transferring from other institutions
• Returning to college after time away
• Completing their baccalaureate degree for the purpose of attending graduate school

What is the Bachelor of Individualized Studies?

The Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) program is ideal for students with academic and career aspirations that require inter- or multi-disciplinary study. The program attracts motivated and self-directed students who feel constrained by the specialized nature of traditional degree programs and want to design their own, personalized plan of study. Other students, particularly those returning to the university after years away, or those with full-time jobs, choose the BIS degree because they have specific personal or job-related academic needs that can be met most efficiently through the BIS.

Why does NMSU offer a BIS?                                      

Universities across the nation are discovering that traditional degree programs sometimes do not address society’s interdisciplinary educational needs. NMSU has responded by creating a more flexible program in the form of the individualized studies degree. The Program allows students to pursue their educational goals in areas not available within an existing departmental curriculum or traditional major. The BIS offers new opportunities for current and prospective students, and welcomes those who are:

• Employed fulltime
• Completing their degree at a distance
• Veterans, active duty military personnel or active duty family
• Transferring from other institutions
• Returning to college after time away
• Completing their baccalaureate degree for the purpose of attending graduate school

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the BAS program must have an Associate of Applied Science or similar degree from a regionally accredited institution.

 For admission to the program, you must:

• Have an Associate of Applied Science or a similar degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above from an NMSU campus, or other institution if applicable.
• Demonstrate basic academic skills in English and mathematics at NMSU (see Regulations – Basic Academic Skills)
• Have not yet completed the requirements for, or simultaneously be a candidate for, another baccalaureate degree or a graduate degree
• Declare your BAS major and see your academic advisor, Annette Flores, annettef@nmsu.edu (646-7364) to complete the “Change of Major” document.

Students seeking admission to the BIS program must:

• Demonstrate basic academic skills in English and mathematics at NMSU (see Regulations – Basic Academic Skills)
• Have a minimum of 28 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above from an NMSU campus, other institution, if applicable.
• Have not yet completed the requirements for, or simultaneously be a candidate for, another baccalaureate degree or a graduate degree
• Develop, in consultation with a BIS advisor, a Program of Study that builds on the applicant’s existing coursework and meets the stated education or career goals
• Declare your BIS major and see your academic advisor, Cecilia Guerrero, ceguerre@nmsu.edu  (646-5837) to complete the “Change of Major” document.

Degree Requirements

Once admitted into either program, you must:

• Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average
• Complete total number credits as determined by your academic advisor.
• Pass all courses approved with a grade of C or higher
• A maximum of 30 credits in course subjects offered by the NMSU College of Business may be counted towards the degree)
• Business Administration in the only Minor available through COB.

To graduate from the BAS/BIS program, you must:

Complete a minimum of 128 credit hours (or more, depending on your approved Program of Study)

• Complete a minimum of 48 credit hours of upper-division courses (#300-499)
• Complete the university’s general education core requirements (at least 35 credit hours of approved general education courses and 6 credit hours of Viewing a Wider World)

Advising

Advising for the Bachelor of Applied Studies and Bachelor of Individualized Studies is offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Visit their Advising Center to make an appointment.

Annette Flores, Academic Advisor, provides academic and career advisement for the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program, and Pre-BAS students who may be interested in or preparing to enroll in the program. annettef@nmsu.edu or 575-646-7364. Regents Row A206

Cecilia Guerrero, Academic Advisor, provides academic and career advisement for the Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) program, and Pre-BIS students, c who may be interested in or preparing to enroll in the program. ceguerre@nmsu.edu 575-646-5837. Regents Row A207

• Students must have all their transcripts available in some form. If transfer credit is still being processed, a hard copy of transcripts is acceptable.
• Students with athletic compliance requirements must keep their athletic advisors up to date on their plans.

BAS Focused Study

Students who are studying and/or working in any of the focus areas should consider the respective course recommendations, concentrations, and minors when applying to, and continuing study in the BAS degree program.

AAS in Electronics Technology to BAS Degree 

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) degree may help prepare students in the electronics technology field for employment in technology, security system, communications, radar systems and all other technology fields where electronics circuitry is used. The BAS may also fulfill requirements for advancing to supervisory and managerial positions in mathematics, technology, and science.

AAS in Library Science to a BAS Degree

Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) degree may help students in the library science field prepare for graduate studies in library science and employment in a variety of settings, including those found in public, school, or academic libraries. Students will also be prepared to seek employment in the wide spectrum of special library positions found in corporate, institutional, and government information centers. The BAS may also fulfill requirements for advancing to supervisory and managerial positions in libraries and information centers.

AAS in Paralegal Studies to a BAS Degree

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) degree may help students in the paralegal field prepare for employment in federal and state courts, the New Mexico Child Support Enforcement Division, and offices of prosecutors or public defenders. The BAS may also fulfill requirements for advancing to supervisory and managerial positions in private law firms.

AAS in Radiologic Technology to a BAS Degree

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) degree may help students in the radiologic technology field prepare for employment in public health, specialized areas such as woman’s imaging or gerontology, human resources or management in hospitals and clinics, or in managing radiology departments. The BAS may also fulfill requirements for advancing to department head of radiology programs, or for teaching in related fields at upper levels.

Concentrations

Students seeking the BAS degree may elect to complete a concentration, which is designated on their transcript and consists of a minimum of 24 credits, at least 12 of which must be upper-division. A concentration may be in a single subject or may be interdisciplinary. Courses required to complete a concentration are offered through various NMSU colleges and departments and are subject to availability.

BAS with a concentration in Crime Analysis or Intelligence Analysis

The crime analyst profiles suspects, analyzes crime, communicates crime patterns to investigators and patrol officers to support enforcement efforts. The Concentration in Crime Analysis provides students with entry-level analysis skills in field related to the prediction and prevention of crime.

BAS with a concentration in Emergency Management

An interdisciplinary bachelor degree with a Concentration in Emergency Management provides a variety of emergency management topics, preparing students for employment in the public and private sectors.

BAS with a concentration in Homeland Security

The interdisciplinary bachelor degree with a Concentration in Homeland Security provides an overview of national security, government, law and social studies topics, preparing students for security related employment in the public and private sectors.

Minors

Students seeking a BIS degree are encouraged to complete one or more minors offered through various NMSU colleges. A minor will be designated on a transcript and consists of a minimum of 18 credits, at least nine of which must be upper-division. Courses required to complete a minor may be in a single department or interdepartmental, are offered through various NMSU colleges, and are subject to availability. (Note: the College of Business restricts BAS and BIS majors to the minor in Business Administration. A maximum of 30 credits in business courses may be counted towards the BAS degree.) BIS students seeking to complete a minor must have the minor verified, prior to graduation, by the respective college academic department. Specific requirements for minors are available in printed form in departmental and college deans’ offices, and may also be found on the college departmental listings of the NMSU Catalog.