New degree opens a pathway from shop floor to C-Suite – meeting the workforce where it is 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) today announced the launch of its Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree, a flexible, workforce-aligned and cost-effective program designed to meet working adults where they are by crediting the knowledge and experience, they have already earned. 

The BAAS degree program gives students credit for prior learning including work experience and recognized technical certifications. This reduces the time and cost of working professionals to earn a bachelor's degree. The program accepts up to 60 credits for an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and awards up to an additional 15 credits for Certified Professional Licenses (CPLs) credentials. With these credits applied, adults can earn their bachelor's degree in approximately three semesters. The program is designed for individuals at every stage of their career, from skilled tradesmen and technicians to mid-career professionals ready to step into management and executive leadership. 

"At Texas Wesleyan University we believe a degree should reflect who you are and what you want to achieve," Dr. Emily Messer, President, said. "The BAAS program is about recognizing the real-world expertise our students have built through years of hard work and dedication and creating pathways that support advancement in their chosen industries. Innovation is about meeting people where they are, and empowering them where they want to go, including the corner office." 

The BAAS curriculum goes beyond technical competency. It is intentionally built to develop the future-ready skills that employers identify as most critical in the current and evolving economy including collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, resilience, and the agility to operate in real time alongside the most advanced technologies of our era, as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. 

As artificial intelligence and automation continue to reshape industries across the world, TXWES is committed to ensuring that graduates are equipped to adapt, innovate and contribute to the highest levels of their organizations for decades to come. All BAAS students will build a foundation in communication along with two additional focus areas, including leadership, technology and professionalism. 

The BAAS degree directly addresses the workforce development needs of the Dallas–Fort Worth region, one of the fastest-growing and most economically dynamic regions in the nation. Employers need a pipeline of talented individuals who understand the technical aspects of their industries while possessing the skills to lead and scale solutions across organizations.