Missoula College Academic Advising Center

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree at the University of Montana (UM) is designed for individuals who have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree with a 2.50 grade point average at a regionally accredited institution. (The Missoula College section of the University of Montana-Missoula catalog identifies Associate of Applied Science degree programs offered at The University of Montana.) Individuals pursuing the B.A.S. are those who are seeking additional education to strengthen their planned or previous training and improve career advancement opportunities.

As part of the B.A.S. curriculum, students must develop a degree plan tailored to their academic and professional goals. Due to the nature of the B.A.S., many plans are interdisciplinary in nature (i.e. consist of courses from multiple disciplines). Students initially meet with a B.A.S. advisor at Missoula College for assistance in developing their degree plan curriculum. After drafting their plan, students create a degree plan committee that consists of faculty members from disciplines represented in the plan. This committee provides final approval of the plan.

Bachelor of Applied Science students must meet all the University of Montana requirements for graduation. Up to 50 technical credits from an accredited A.A.S. program will count toward the 127 total credits required for graduation.

Any courses taken as part of the A.A.S. that can count towards UM General Education Requirements (e.g. certain writing, psychology, math, and communication courses) are not considered technical and, hence, are not included in this 50 technical credit maximum.

It is important to understand that the B.A.S. degree does not identify a specific discipline major. Even though some plans may consist of courses from one sole discipline, the student is NOT a major in that discipline. Hence, the B.A.S. student’s transcript and diploma will not indicate a specific major or concentration area.

Although students submit their application for admission to and are initially advised through Missoula College, B.A.S. students are enrolled through the mountain campus and, as such, are assessed UM-Missoula tuition rates.

Students interested in pursuing the B.A.S. degree should review the Missoula College Academic Advising Center’s B.A.S. webpage for informational resources and to learn how to request an initial advising appointment.