Preparing for BAS Programs in Healthcare

Information Page Preparing for BAS Programs in Healthcare

Overview

Colleges across Washington State offer a four-year degree called the Bachelor of Applied Science, or BAS. You also may see the terms "applied bachelor degree" or "applied baccalaureate degree."

BAS programs focus more on practical, technical classes and skills than traditional college degrees. They require at least 180 quarter credits.

They are the best pathway from an AAS or AAS-T to a four-year degree, and there are a few solid options in Healthcare! Some of these programs have partnerships with local universities; after you finish the BAS, you apply for admission to a master's degree program.

It is important to know that some BAS programs have competitive admissions. This means that the program enrolls a limited number of students each year. Meeting the minimum admissions requirements for cumulative and class GPAs may not be enough to be accepted.

Disclaimers

  • RTC does not recommend or endorse specific BAS programs in healthcare. The details below are provided for your information.
  • Each college decides how to accept transfer credit. Your RTC class may transfer as a specific course requirement, distribution credit, or elective credit. Please do your research and look closely at the transfer websites for the college you hope to attend!
  • Admissions requirements for BAS programs do change. Again, look closely at the transfer websites for your desired program(s) to make sure that you have the necessary classes, GPA, work experience, recommendations, etc.

BAS in Health and Wellness

Bellevue College

Modality: The BAS in Health and Wellness Links to an external site. is offered in the hybrid modality, with classes starting at 4:00 P.M. or later on Wednesday evenings.

Credits: The program requires 91 upper-division credits (300- and 400-level classes). Note: Upper-division classes tend to be more expensive than 100- and 200-level classes..

Admission Requirements: You must have completed at least 40 credits of health science or healthcare classes. You need a minimum cumulative or overall GPA of 2.0, as well as a 2.0 in ENGL& 101 English Composition (required). Additional admissions requirements include the following:

  • A personal essay
  • A diversity essay
  • Proof of 50 or more community service hours
  • Two letters of recommendation from a supervisor, instructor, or other manager

The application fee is $50.

Additional Tips and Information:

  • Here are some recommendations for your General Education classes in an AAS-T degree:
  • If you complete an AAS-T degree with the class suggested above, you will enroll in the BAS program with 60 credits out of 181 required credits.
  • In addition to 91 advanced Health and Wellness credits, you will need 30 more co-requisite General Education credits for the degree:
    • Any humanities class (5 credits)
    • A second English writing class (5 credits)
    • One more natural science class (5 credits)
    • General education electives (15 credits)

BAS in Allied Health: Community Health and Education

Seattle Central College

Modality: The BAS in Community Health and Education Links to an external site. is offered in the hybrid modality, with evening classes. You can attend part-time or full-time.

Credits: The program requires just 45 upper-division credits (300- and 400-level classes). Seattle Central accepts up to 75 credits from your RTC career training program.

Admission Requirements: You can use your completed associate degree in a healthcare field, with a minimum cumulative or overall GPA of 2.5. The program also requires a minimum of 1 year of full-time healthcare work experience within the past 5 years.

You will need the following specific classes or prerequisites:

  • ENGL&101 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • MATH 136 or MATH&146 with a 2.0, completed within the past 5 years, or eligibility for one of these classes

Seattle Central provides a Community Health Course Planning worksheet Links to an external site. that may be helpful.

The application fee is $35.

Additional Tips and Information:

  • Here are some recommendations for your General Education classes in an AAS-T degree:
    • Take MATH 136 or MATH&146 for your transfer mathematics class.
    • Take any social science class.

BAS in Community Health and Education, Pre-Physician Assistant Track

Seattle Central College

Modality: The BAS in Community Health and Education Links to an external site. is offered in the hybrid modality, with evening classes. You can attend part-time or full-time.

Credits: The Community Health Pre-Physician Assistant Option requires the following credits:

  • 60 General Education credits in English (10 credits), mathematics (5 credits), biology (20 credits), chemistry (5 credits), social science (10 credits), and humanities (10 credits).
  • 45 upper-division credits (300- and 400-level classes)

Seattle Central accepts up to 75 credits from your RTC career training program.

Admission Requirements: This specialized option has its own entrance requirements and specific program requirements, to make sure you meet the high standards of Physician Assistant master's degree programs like MEDEX Northwest at the University of Washington Links to an external site..

You can use your completed associate degree in a healthcare field, with a minimum cumulative or overall GPA of 2.5. The program also requires a minimum of 1 year of full-time healthcare work experience within the past 5 years.

You will need the following specific classes or prerequisites:

  • ENGL&101 with a GPA of 2.7 or higher
  • MATH 136 or MATH&146 with a 2.7, completed within the past 5 years, or eligibility for one of these classes

Seattle Central provides a Pre-Physician Assistant Course Planning worksheet Links to an external site. that may be helpful.

The application fee is $35.

Additional Tips and Information:

  • Here are some recommendations for your General Education classes in an AAS-T degree:
    • Take MATH 136 or MATH&146 for your transfer mathematics class.
    • Take any social science class in ANTH&, PSYC&, or SOC&.
    • Complete BIOL&160 if possible.
  • It is important to have several years of work experience before you apply to a Physician Assistant program. The University of Washington recommends at least 4,000 hours.

BAS in Allied Health: Healthcare Services Management

Seattle Central College

Modality: The BAS in Healthcare Services Management Links to an external site. is offered in the hybrid modality, with evening classes. You can attend part-time or full-time.

Credits: The program requires just 45 upper-division credits (300- and 400-level classes). Seattle Central accepts up to 75 credits from your RTC career training program.

Admission Requirements: You must have a completed associate degree in a healthcare or business field, with a minimum cumulative or overall GPA of 2.5. The program also requires a minimum of 1 year of full-time healthcare work experience within the past 5 years.

You will need the following specific classes or prerequisites:

  • ENGL&101 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • MATH 136 or MATH&146 with a 2.0, completed within the past 5 years, or eligibility for one of these classes

Seattle Central provides a Course Planning worksheet Links to an external site. that may be helpful.

The application fee is $35.

Additional Tips and Information:

  • Here are some recommendations for your General Education classes in an AAS-T degree:
    • Take MATH 136 or MATH&146 for your transfer mathematics class.
    • Take any social science class.
    • If you have an elective option in your AAS-T, you might choose one of the following: BIOL&100 BIOL&160, CHEM&121, CMST 280, or ENGL&102.

BAS in Public Health

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

BAS in Integrated Healthcare Management

Edmonds College