UW-Whitewater | Online
Ben Klein, listening to headphones, reviewing course book Ben Klein, listening to headphones, reviewing course book

    Your journey forward begins with a bachelor’s degree.

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    Online Bachelor's in Applied Arts and Sciences

    Open doors by unlocking your potential. 

    Primarily designed for working adults, the Online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) was designed by the College of Integrated Studies at the Rock County Branch Campus to offer a flexible degree completion pathway for students who hold an applied associates degrees from a technical college. All students must have an applied associate degree OR 30 college credits. Students with a completed associate degree generally complete their bachelor’s degree in 60-65 credits. In addition to emphasis areas in digital marketing, professional selling, leadership, criminology and human services, students can design their own emphasis area. Internships and credit for prior learning help shorten the time to degree completion.

    Why UW-Whitewater Online?

    • Learn at your own pace, when it’s convenient for you
    • Build connections through online assignments and discussion boards
    • Strong alumni network
    • Ranked #44 in the nation
    • Top-ranked Wisconsin online degree program

    #44 Best Online Bachelor's Program

    Ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2022

    Fully online

    No requirements to come to campus

    Best value

    in the UW System

    Online Bachelor’s of Applied Arts and Sciences

    Claire Olsen, reviewing course on tablet and lecture book

    The Online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences requirements have been designed to prepare you for success as a student in the program and your subsequent career.

    Online BAAS Degree Requirements

    • Integrative Learning (High Impact Practice) - 7 credits
      • Internship
      • Credit for prior learning
      • Service learning
      • Undergraduate research-related
      • Travel study 
      • BAAS CORE classes
    • Cognitive Skills – 9 credits
      • Writing
      • Communication
      • Ethics
    • Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World - 12 credits
      • Global Studies
      • Human Cultures
      • Knowledge of Natural World
    • Emphases - 12-18 credits (see below)
    • Electives - As needed to fulfill 120 credit degree requirement
    Kurt Rose, reviewing spiral notebook in front of laptop

    To ensure a high-quality student group, all students in the Online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences must have an Associate of Applied Science Degree. More information provided below.

    The UW-Whitewater at Rock County will admit students who have earned an eligible applied associate degree from a recognized technical college with a grade point average of 2.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale).

    UW-Whitewater will accept at least 60 credits in transfer toward degree.

    Tom Kind, working on laptop, flipping through notes

    There are several application paths an online bachelor's student might take including as transferreentryfreshman, or second-degree seeking applicants. You may even be an international applicant.

    If you aren’t sure which application path to follow or need help completing the UW-System E-Application, view the Application Tips PDF or complete the Request Information form and a program representative will get in touch with you.

    Transfer applicants

    Transfer applicants are students that have attended another college or university (including having earned an associate degree) but have never attended UW-Whitewater. You will find detailed application and transfer information at University Admissions.

    Reentry applicants

    Reentry applicants are students that have previously attended UW-Whitewater. Application information can be found at University Admissions

    Freshman applicants

    Freshman applicants are students that have never attended a college or university. If you have never attended a college or university, regardless of age, you would be considered a freshman applicant. You can find application information for freshman applicants at University Admissions

    Second-Degree seeking applicants

    Second-Degree seeking applicants are students who have already earned a bachelor's degree and would like to pursue another. If you would like to earn another bachelor’s degree, you can apply to UW-Whitewater’s online bachelor's program as a special student with full credentials. To complete your degree, you would only need to fulfill the College of Letters and Sciences BA or BS requirements and the requirements for the major you choose.

    Unofficial Transcript Review

    Transfer, Reentry, and Second-Degree Seeking students, can request an unofficial transcript review. An unofficial review will give you an idea of which of your credits might transfer and how those transfer credits might apply to the online bachelor's program. To request a review, complete a request more information form and a program adviser will get in touch with you.

    You can also determine potential transfer credit by using Transferology. Transferology is a fast and free way to determine how credits may transfer from one institution to another.

    online student, Ellen Larson, studies course materials

    The online bachelor’s program at UW-Whitewater is a superior value at $311.83 USD per credit for Wisconsin resident and $659 USD per credit as a non-resident for the 2024-25 academic year. Visit the Tuition and Fees webpage for complete information.

    Course materials

    Textbook rental is included in the cost of tuition for many courses through the University Bookstore's Textbook Rental program.

    Financial aid

    Students completing a degree program may be eligible for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. To find out, or if you have other financial aid questions, contact the financial aid staff person assigned to you or try uwwfao@uww.edu or 262-472-1130.

    Online Bachelor’s of Applied Arts and Sciences Emphases

    Ben Klein, reviewing course on tablet and lecture book

    This area of study examines the behavior of people in their search for products and services, and then provides the consumer with need-satisfying opportunities consistent with the goals of society.

    Functions include consumer research, product development, creation of advertising and promotions, direct sales, and managing pricing and distribution, among others. 

    Job Outlook

    The field of marketing is incredibly broad and diverse. You can explore career prospects at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, including those related to Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers as well as Sales ManagersPayscale is another source for salary and career information. Most employers require a bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field for entry-level positions.

    BAAS Digital Marketing (12 credits)

    • MARKETNG 311: Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
    • MARKETNG 351: Introduction to Digital Marketing (3 credits)
    • MARKETNG 353: Advanced Digital Marketing (3 credits)
    • Select one of the following:
      • MARKETNG 352: Social Media and Interactive Marketing (3 credits)
      • MARKETNG 444: Omnichannel Marketing (3 credits)
      • MARKETNG 493D: Internship in Marketing: Digital Marketing Emphasis (3 credits)
      • MARKETNG 498: Independent Study in Marketing (3 credits)
    Ellen Larson, reviewing course materials while researching on a mobile device

    Students with backgrounds in sales and general business will find the professional selling emphasis the right fit for completing a bachelor’s degree.

    Professional selling can lead to entry or advancement in advertising, purchasing, manufacturing sales, real estate, and financial services.

    BAAS Professional Selling (12 credits)

    • MARKETNG 311: Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
    • MARKETNG 312: Principles of Selling (3 credits)
    • MARKETNG 460: Entrepreneurial and Advanced Sales Techniques (3 credits)
    • Select one of the following:
      • MARKETNG 412: Business to Business Marketing (3 credits)
      • MARKETNG 431: Sales Management (3 credits)
      • MARKETNG 493S: Internship in Marketing: Sales (3 credits)
      • MARKETNG 496: Selected Studies (3 credits)

     

    Nicole Pierre, working on laptop in home office

    For law enforcement professionals, the criminology emphases provides an opportunity for career advancement in areas of police department leadership, security, parole officers, and corrections.

    This pathway has been developed with real world law enforcement challenges in mind and the goal of building skills in community trust and outreach.

    BAAS Criminology (15 credits)

    Choose any 5 courses from the following:    

    • SOCIOLGY 374: Sociology of Police and Courts (3 credits)
    • SOCIOLGY 378: Sociology of Punishment and Corrections (3 credits)
    • SOCIOLGY 371: Sociology of Violent Crime (3 credits)
    • SOCIOLGY 379: Women and Crime (3 credits)
    • SOCIOLGY 426: Minorities in the Criminal Justice System (3 credits)
    • POLISCI 316: Police and Criminal Justice Administration (3 credits)
    Kurt Rose, taking notes for online class

    The Leadership emphasis is ideal for students who may be looking for a degree to help them move into management, community development, nonprofit organizations, government, or for additional career advancement opportunities within their current profession.

    BAAS Leadership

    • COMM 373: Communication and Leadership (3 credits) or
      MANGEMNT 369: Leadership in Management (3 credits)
    • Choose 12 credits from the following:
      • COMM 345: Persuasion (3 credits) or
        CTA 368: Theory and Practice of Persuasion (3 credits)
      • PSY 440: Leading Groups and Organizations: Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
      • COMM 328 Communication Conflict Resolution (3 credits)
      • COMM 322: Listening (3 credits)
      • COMM: 424 Cross Cultural Communication (3 credits) or
        CTA 410: Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
      • MANGEMNT 301: Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
      • MANGEMNT 310: Organization and Management (3 credits)
    Kurt Rose, taking notes for online class

    For those looking for an impactful career serving others in social agencies, counseling centers, educational institutions and correctional facilities.

    A human services degree can prepare students for a wide array of rewarding and meaningful jobs. But in some cases, some may need to go a little further to land the career they want. This emphasis is specifically designed for a seamless transition into a Master of Social Work Program.

    Required Courses

    • SOCWORK 102: Introduction to Social Welfare (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 250: Statistics for Social Work (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 311: Human Behavior and the Social Environment (4 credits)
    • SOCWORK 371: Practice I: Social Work with Individuals (3 credits)

    Choose 3 credits from the following:

    • SOCWORK 235: Child Welfare (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 241: Biology of Aging (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 337: Introduction to Social Gerontology (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 375: Social Work Case Management (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 380: Cultural Competency for Health Professionals (3 credits)
    • SOCWORK 430: Social Work Practice in Bereavement (3 credits)
    • WOMENST 370: Women: Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
    Ben Klein, reviewing course on tablet and lecture book

    UW-Whitewater’s Occupational Safety emphasis is for students looking to make a difference by creating safer workplaces. The emphasis will help students move into positions in Occupational Safety in a variety of industries.

    BAAS Occupational Safety (15 credits)

    Required Courses

      • SAFETY 380: Introduction to Occupational Safety & Health (3 credits)
      • SAFETY 388: Occupational Safety & Health Standards and Applications (3 credits)

      Select 9 credits from the following

      • SAFETY 382: Safety in the Construction Industry (3 credits)
      • SAFETY 420: Principles of Environmental Management (3 credits)
      • SAFETY 450: Behavioral Aspects of Accident Prevention (3 credits)
      • SAFETY 453: Fundamentals of Environmental Law (3 credits)
      • SAFETY 468: Ergonomics (3 credits)
      Carlos Barraza, Reading notes for online class

      For students interested in multiple areas or may want to focus on courses not included in a current emphasis, they can create their own personalized pathway to a degree.

      This can be especially valuable for students who have more than 60 transfer credits, who are in already established career fields, but are seeking a degree for advancement.

      Students can create their own emphasis comprised of 12-15 units, with at least 9 of those units taken at the upper level (coded as 300 or above). The emphasis is chosen in consultation with the academic advisor and should include courses which are linked by topic or interest to meet their goals.