JANUARY 18, 2004

Mesa State College Looks to Add Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration Degree

Grand Junction, CO - Mesa State College anticipates adding a new degree program that will pave the way for students with an associate of applied science degree to efficiently advance to a bachelor of applied science in business administration degree.

"This innovative program will provide students with specific technical skills, as well as the business education they need to prosper in their chosen field," said Tim Foster, president of Mesa State College. "This benefits not only the student, but also the business community's demand for technically competent individuals with management skills."

In the past, students who wanted to advance from an associate of applied science degree to a bachelor degree were not able to build on their technical coursework, but, instead, would have to complete up to four additional years of academic courses. The new BAS program condenses the required courses into approximately four additional semesters of full-time study after the completion of an associate degree. The program focuses on adding upper division business courses that complement a student's technical specialty.

Student support for the implementation of the BAS degree is strong. Of the 203 applied science students surveyed at Mesa State College's Tilman M. Bishop Unified Technical Education Campus, 88.7 percent indicated an interest in pursuing the BAS degree. Of those positive respondents, 66.1 percent said they would be interested in pursuing the BAS degree immediately after receiving their associate degrees.

"I think this unique combination of technical skills and business fundamentals will be beneficial in any type of technical career," said Matthew Raschke, a Mesa State student who has completed an associate of applied science degree in telecommunications engineering through UTEC and is now taking business classes on the main campus. "Personally, I'm hoping that this degree will open the door for me to pursue a management position in the telecommunications industry."

Open to both current and returning students, the industry-accepted BAS degree program is designed to further the professional development of technically-trained individuals. It includes courses that develop proficiency in management, marketing, accounting and finance.

"This is really a gold collar degree," said Kerry Youngblood, UTEC director. "It combines the critical thinking skills of the white collar mind with the technical ability of the blue collar hands, a quality that is desired by many employers."

The BAS degree program was developed at the request of executives in the regional business community who were looking to hire individuals who could interface between management and skilled laborers and craftspeople.

"In the steel contractor business and the construction industry, many employees start in the shop and those with an affinity for details then tend to move up into project management," said Frank Mitchell, regional sales manager for Zimkor, L.L.C. and a member of the UTEC Joint Advisory Council. "Having risen through the ranks myself, I can say that if this degree had been available back then, it would have accelerated my career by at least several years. It certainly has the potential to assist both current students and those already on the job site who are looking to advance their careers."

"This natural progression of vocational/technical education is just what our local business community and economy need," said Bill Byers, consumer and public relations manager for Grand Valley Power. "By implementing this type of practical degree, Mesa State College is showing its responsiveness to the higher education needs of the business community, as well as strengthening the region's workforce."

The bachelor of applied science in business administration degree program is expected to be approved by the Mesa State College Board of Trustees on Jan. 19 and fully implemented during the fall 2005 semester. For more information, contact the Publicity Coordinator, at 970.248.1371.

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