If you are an adult or nontraditional student looking to complete your baccalaureate education and advance your career, consider doing so as a Bronco.
Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Applied Science is designed to give students with a technical associate degree (Associate of Applied Science), Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) or an Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) a pathway to a bachelor’s degree.
The flexible, high-quality program is fully online, with no in-person requirements. You can take classes year-round, at your own pace—either full- or part-time— and graduate in as few as 17 months. Plus, all students pay in-state tuition.
Idaho native Aaron Lauritzen graduated from the online Bachelor of Applied Science in December 2023. He started a videography business while enrolled.
“I wanted practical, creative skills,” he said. “I’ve always loved creating and learning. It worked out that I got my business classes and my marketing classes — the creative classes — with the Bachelor of Applied Science. I did creative writing, video producing, directing, editing and graphic design for the capstone project.
“One of the reasons I wanted to get my bachelor’s degree was to have as many job opportunities as possible. I didn’t want to shut the door to opportunities because I didn’t have a degree. I missed my first year of school, then took an extra semester, as well. It took me five years to get my degree, but so what? I am so happy I went.”
Deeper dive
In addition to leveraging your Associate of Applied Science or technical training, you can customize your education by choosing an emphasis area to align with your career goals.
The seven emphasis areas, which are only available to online students, offer a variety of specialized learning. They are:
- Business Administration Emphasis: Learn to lead and manage teams, develop products and services, and handle profitability and investments.
- Cyber Operations Essentials Emphasis: Gain the cyber skills needed to protect information systems and networks—relevant to nearly every industry.
- Early Childhood Emphasis: Explore best practices, support children’s inquiry and development and solidify your skills to become a leader and advocate in the field. You will prepare to work as an educator, advocate for young children’s development and collaborate with families.
- Health Administration Emphasis: Understand the healthcare industry’s social, cultural, and economic factors and use research to guide patient-centered care.
- Project Management Emphasis: Develop project plans, manage timelines, work with stakeholders and execute strategic goals while you prepare to take the Certified Associate in Project Management exam or the Project Management Professional certification.
- Public Health Emphasis: Address public health needs, improve systems and tackle legal and policy challenges to make an impact in your community.
- Resort and Hospitality Management Emphasis: Gain real-life skills, knowledge and tools to build a long-term career in the recreational and hospitality industry.
Concentrations for Career Advancement
The concentration options, which are designed to complement your degree and give you the knowledge you need to advance your career, include:
- Business and Leadership: Courses and certificates in leadership, emotional intelligence, business creation, and community impact.
- Communication, Innovation and Design: Certificates in public relations, content production, UX design, and more.
- Cyber: Certificate in Cyber for All, Certificate in Cyber Operations.
- Healthcare: Certificate in Public Health.
- Education: Certificate in Inquiry-Based Early Childhood Education.
With more than 800 online course offerings at Boise State, you could create a custom concentration based on your specific interests after speaking with your advisor.
Want to learn more about earning an applied science degree?
Join us for an online information session or connect with a student success coach.