The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) is ideal for those who have completed an Associate of Applied Science degree. This program builds leaders and expands students’ technical skills across various vocational sectors. The BAS will prepare you for more challenging and fulfilling roles in your field.

This novel transfer pathway allows you to transfer up to 60 hours of earned credits, 45 of which may be technical, that may include approved military and experiential learning credits.

Due to the diversity embedded in the design of the degree, students who earn a degree in the Bachelor of Applied Science are eligible to apply for a variety of jobs based on their choice of emphasis area. Some of the more popular choices are:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Business
• Cybersecurity
• Special Education
• Trades Supervision

In the Bachelor of Applied Science program, students will complete 60 hours of courses work consisting of at least 30 hours of upper-level emphasis courses and up to 30 hours of common core curriculum as set by the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi to qualify for any bachelor's degree.

The length of time it takes to complete an applied science major can vary depending on the specific program and whether the student is attending full-time or part-time. Typically, a full-time student would take two years (4 semesters) to complete a bachelor's degree in applied science.

A Bachelor of Applied Science degree is a more specialized degree in a technical field requiring students to have earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate Applied Technology degree. This program focuses on providing more hands-on or project-based experiences and incorporating leadership/management skills in coursework. It is designed to be more transfer-friendly and to be used as a career advancement tool by opening doors to management jobs in a career field or graduate degrees.

A Bachelor of Science degree typically has a more theoretical focus where students usually are on a four-year program of study to earn the degree. More programs in this area are taught in a traditional setting, whereas the BAS has more offerings online to meet the needs of the working student.

To be eligible to enroll in the BAS program, you must have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA 2.00 at the time of admission.

There are no test score requirements. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the time of admission.

The application requires general information, parental/guardian information, and academic information. You can go ahead and submit the online application without the below items (application fee, transcripts, test scores, etc.) and send them later if needed. However, please remember to submit these items for MSU to review your complete application file for both admission and scholarship purposes. The application opens on August 1. The application on the Common App opens on August 5.

Review the Steps to Enrollment at the MSU Office of Admissions.

The first step is to complete a request for information form. Due to the individual nature of the program, it is important to speak with a BAS advisor. Simply complete the form, and one of our advisors will be in contact with you soon.

After speaking with a BAS advisor, it is time to apply! Make sure to choose Applied Science (BAS) as your major and select your campus.

Since this degree is designed for transfer students, there are a limited number of hours available for electives in the program of study. Students will take 6 hours of electives upon completion of the degree. Most introductory computer courses or introductory courses offered in the College of Arts and Sciences will meet this requirement. Your BAS advisor will help you through the selection process of your electives.

Yes, only students that have earned an Associate of Applied Science or Technology can enroll in this degree program. It does not matter when you earned the degree, but it must be completed on a transcript from that community college.

You must complete a total of at least 30 hours of upper-level coursework in your area(s) of study. Other restrictions may apply on a case-by-case basis. Please ask your BAS Advisor for more information.

Tuition and required fees are charged on a per credit hour basis at the prevailing rates as determined by the Institutions of Higher Learning, the governing board of the University. These rates are applicable at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Most students who transfer to MSU will only need 60 credit hours with a 2.0 or higher overall GPA to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Account Services provides a detailed breakdown of the cost per credit hour and associated fees depending on the location you will attend (Starkville, Meridian, and Online). The tuition tables are found at https://www.controller.msstate.edu/accountservices/tuition.

Students may be eligible for Federal and/or State Financial Aid. Students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1st of the fall prior to the year they plan to enroll at MSU. MSU's Federal School Code is 002423. After enrollment, students should complete the FAFSA each year. More FAFSA information and a link to the FAFSA application is found at the Office of Admissions and Scholarships Financial Aid web page. 

Students who are residents in Mississippi should also submit a Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP). For more information and a link to the application, please visit the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, https://www.msfinancialaid.org/.

Mississippi State has a variety of academic scholarships for community college transfers working towards their first bachelor’s degree including scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team, and overall academic excellence. Please visit the Office of Admissions and Scholarships websitefor more information about each scholarship and application instructions. Be sure to check the dates as most scholarships have application deadlines.

For scholarship information specific to online students, please visit https://online.msstate.edu/scholarships/.

MSU Student Financial Aid provides estimated costs for undergraduate students on this web page. On this page, you can review the estimated direct and indirect costs of attendance on annual basis. These costs do not show the net cost after scholarships and financial aid assistance.

As a MSU student, you arrive to campus with specific, individual needs. To help meet those needs, the Career Center at MSU is committed to offering an array of programs and services to align with finding a career that is best for you.

Even after graduation, MSU graduates receive services from the Career Center after graduation. From undergraduate to graduate, the Career Center is designed to always help MSU students and alumni.

In the fall of 2021, MSU conducted a study of every student that had enrolled in the BAS program. Students reported the following outcomes after earning the degree:

• Received a promotion
• Obtained a new job at another company
• Significantly increased their earnings
• Made a change in careers

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree is a common next step for people who hold an Associate of Applied Science and are looking for a way to advance in their current jobs or secure better opportunities in the same field.

Students that select one area of study like Advanced Manufacturing or Trades Supervision, for example, will have more defined job occupations they are eligible for upon graduation. More detailed occupational information, along with job forecasting, can be found on each BAS program page.