When choosing the right program for your higher education and career advancement goals, “analysis paralysis” can be a real obstacle, especially if you’re worried about starting over. If you’ve completed a technical degree or have hands-on experience in your field, a Bachelor of Applied Science offers a powerful way to turn that foundation into new opportunities by building on your expertise rather than starting from scratch.
Boise State’s online Bachelor of Applied Science has the added advantage of flexibility and a focus on real-world outcomes. The program is built to maximize your prior credits and apply them toward a bachelor’s degree — helping you graduate faster and move forward.
With several emphasis areas to choose from, the challenge shifts from “Where do I start?” to “Which path fits me best?”
That choice is an opportunity. The right emphasis area can help you shape your skill set, guide your career direction and support long-term growth.
What is a Bachelor of Applied Science?
A Bachelor of Applied Science is an undergraduate degree designed to help you build practical, hands-on experience and relevant technical skills for career advancement and leadership opportunities without starting over academically.
Boise State’s Bachelor of Applied Science leverages the credits you’ve already earned from a technical associate degree (Associate of Applied Science), Intermediate Technical Certificate or Advanced Technical Certificate by applying them toward your bachelor’s degree so you can finish in less time. The program flexibility also allows you to create a customized degree plan made up of concentrations or emphasis areas that fit with your career goals.
What emphasis areas does the Bachelor of Applied Science program offer?
Each emphasis area provides a focused path that helps you build specialized or transferable skills. Most options are available fully online, while some offer a hybrid format with both online and in-person courses.
Here’s a breakdown of the current emphasis areas and what you can gain by enrolling:
- Health Administration Emphasis (online or hybrid): Step into leadership within a high-demand industry and learn how to better navigate the healthcare field by applying research to real-world challenges, supporting evidence-based practice and decision-making and providing more effective solutions for patients.
- Business Administration Emphasis (100% online): Build the knowledge and skills needed to lead teams, innovate, market and launch products and generate growth. You’ll learn from and network with experienced instructors who bring insight into every course, helping you turn your ambition into advancement.
- Cyber Operations Essentials Emphasis (100% online): Acquire critical cyber foundations and skills by designing the technical processes and programs needed to help protect systems and networks across several industries from attacks.
- Early Childhood Education Emphasis (100% online): Explore best practices for early education programs, become a better leader and advocate and develop the knowledge and experience needed to support early childhood development and work effectively with families.
- Project Management Emphasis (100% online): Develop project plans, manage scope and timelines, communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with teams to execute strategic goals. You’ll also prepare for project management exams and certifications.
- Foundations of Public Health Emphasis (100% online): Make a difference in your community by tackling today’s health challenges and learning how to assess public needs, create effective interventions and improve health-based systems. You’ll also become well-versed in policy and legal frameworks, empowering you to provide a lasting impact.
- Resort and Hospitality Management Emphasis (100% online): Turn your passion for customer service into a meaningful, long-term career by gaining industry-relevant skills in guest operations and management.
Wondering if you should study project management, business administration or public health?
Four questions to help you choose your emphasis area
Think of an emphasis area as a career accelerator. Choosing the right emphasis matters because it helps you maximize your time and effort by shaping the direction of your bachelor’s degree program from start to finish, which can help set you up for success after graduation.
And if you’re considering continuing toward a graduate-level degree, you’ll have gained the momentum and connections to progress with confidence.
Start by asking yourself:
- What experience do I already have?
- What kind of role do I want next?
- What skills do I hope to gain?
- What career fields interest me the most?
- How will this emphasis support my long-term goals?
Answering these questions can help you determine which option is your best fit so you can get the most return on investment from the program. Additionally, booking an appointment with a student success coach can also be a game-changer as it allows you to learn more about each program and talk through your options with a program expert.
Learn more about the applied science program
Earning an online Bachelor of Applied Science from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.