What is the BAAS-APAL program?

Do you know someone who worked their way up in their job but hit a wall? Maybe that person is you. Maybe it’s an aunt or even a cousin.

The UHD Marilyn Davies College of Business (MDCOB) offers a BAAS-APAL degree. A Bachelor’s of Applied Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Applied Public Administration and Leadership. This degree is for seasoned professionals with career experience serving in the public sector who have not completed their college degree. If you or someone you know wants to move into a leadership, management, or supervisory role that requires a university degree, then we created the BAAS-APAL program just for you.

What is APAL about?

APAL is a fully online undergraduate degree. And because it's fully online, it doesn't matter where you live. Whether you're in Houston, across Texas, or anywhere in the U.S., you can earn your degree from MDCOB. APAL is a 120 hour credit degree program that’s focused on building effective communication, collaboration, and leadership skills meant to transfer to a supervisory role. It can even be completed over 18 months. 

To be admitted into the concentration, you need to have completed your Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree, and have at least 3 years of work experience in public administration, non-profit work, or in a related field.

The good news is students may be able to transfer up to 78 hours from a previously attended accredited college or university– like Houston City College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, Lee College, College of the Mainland, and more. With no expiration on transfer credits, that means minimal loss to the credits you worked hard on. You can check out our transfer credit calculator to see just how close you are. You may even be able to use competency based education credits towards your total degree hours. 

What are competency based education credits (CBE)?

The BAAS-APAL program will accept competency based education credits. CBE credits let you turn what you know into tangible college credit. This means if you come from a background where you’ve gone to a trade school and completed hours there, or you have years of hands-on experience, you may be able to take a short test to show what you know. After passing, those skills translate as credits. No additional 8-week courses needed. 

And with UHD having the lowest tuition in Houston, this makes the BAAS-APAL program one of the most affordable ways to earn your degree.

Who can benefit from CBE and Why?

If you’ve worked in the public sector industry as a working adult, applying existing life skills to your degree makes attaining your 4 year degree that much more accessible. Our BAAS-APAL program is built for working adults who want a faster, more affordable path to their degree.

What do you learn in BAAS-APAL?

You will build real career skills that you can use right away. Classes are offered each semester and focus on making you a stronger communicator, team player, and overall leader.

A few courses you can find within the program are:

• Human resources
• Budgeting
• Professional Ethics
• Cultural Competence
• Crisis Management and Communication
• Negotiation
• Information Technology
• Project Administration

Eager to Learn More?

Marilyn Davies College of Business is proud to offer a degree program that makes the road to university that much more flexible for working professionals. If you are ready to take the next step, please visit uhd.edu/baas-aa-apal , attend an information session or contact BAAS_AA_APAL@uhd.edu.