Why the BAAS is a Smart Choice for Active Military and Veterans

Earning a bachelor's degree is often crucial for military veterans and active duty service members seeking to advance their careers. However, the traditional path to a four-year degree may not be feasible for those with unpredictable schedules or frequent deployments. The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree can help! This degree offers a flexible and customizable option for military members looking to further their education. 

What is a BAAS degree? 

The BAAS degree is designed for students who have already completed an associate degree or some college coursework and want to earn a bachelor's degree focused on career-oriented skills. Usually, BAAS programs allow students to transfer their previous college credits and apply them toward their transcript, which can significantly shorten the time it takes to complete a four-year degree. Additionally, many BAAS programs are offered online, providing greater flexibility for students with work or family commitments. 

Why is a BAAS a smart choice for military members? 

A BAAS is ideal for military members for a few key reasons. First, the BAAS degree builds upon the skills and knowledge that students have already gained in their previous coursework or military experience, meaning that military members can apply the skills and knowledge gained through their service towards their degree and potentially accelerate their progress towards graduation. 
 
BAAS degrees are also designed to be flexible and customizable. Military members can tailor their coursework to their specific career goals and interests, which can help them prepare for a successful civilian career. The BAAS may also allow military members to choose courses that align with their military occupational specialty, helping them develop valuable skills that employers often seek in the civilian job market. 
 
Military education benefits can make this already cost-effective degree even more affordable. With the right guidance and planning, service members may be able to earn this degree at little cost to them. 

LSU Alexandria's online BAAS program 

LSU Alexandria's online BAAS program is an excellent option for military members looking to earn their degree for reasons including: 

• Flexibility: LSU Alexandria's online BAAS program is designed to be flexible and accessible for students with busy schedules or frequent deployments. Our program is entirely online, and students can complete their coursework from anywhere in the world.
• Transfer credits: The BAAS program at LSU Alexandria allows students to transfer up to 60 of their previous college credits. This means service members can maximize their military education and training credits and apply them toward their degrees.
• Affordability: LSUA offers one of the most competitive tuition rates in the country for BAAS degrees. There is also a range of financial aid options available to eligible students. 
• Support: When enrolled in LSU Alexandria's online BAAS program, students can access several support services, including academic advising, tutoring, and career services. These services can help military members navigate their coursework and plan for their post-military careers. 

LSUA's Director of Distance Learning, Teresa Seymour, emphasizes that "So often our active military and veteran students have terrific training that just has not transferred for degree credit in other programs. Our online BAAS degree has 45 transfer credits where military training (or applied sciences courses) can be used. Additional transfer credit may be applied to general education. Because of this, the BAAS is a much faster path to a bachelor’s degree. As a military-friendly institution, we want to ensure our active duty and veteran students get the most credit possible for their service and training." 

Complete your degree faster with LSU Online 

Overall, a BAAS degree is a strategic choice for military members looking to advance their education and career. With its focus on career-oriented skills and flexible coursework, the BAAS program can help military members develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the civilian job market. Interested in getting started with LSU Alexandria's online BAAS program? Visit the program page and apply today! Or, learn more about how you can use your military benefits to pay for college.