Advanced Degrees Offer More Opportunities

Bismarck State College became a four-year college only a year ago and has since added numerous baccalaureate degrees to their roster. With 14 available programs and partnerships with other North Dakota educational institutions, it can be easy to get lost among the rapid academic changes. Here is a guide to some of the four-year degree options.

Behavioral Health

BSC offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health. This degree prepares students for careers in human and social services. Topics covered include psychology, counseling, human development, sociology, crisis intervention, research, and ethical practices. Careers in behavioral health range from healthcare, non-profit, and state agencies focused on human services. Some examples are social and community service managers, client advocates, psychiatric technicians, client advocates, care coordinators, and case managers.

Cybersecurity & Information Technology

This degree is a Bachelor of Applied Science that provides a solid cybersecurity backing to information technology tasks. Unlike some courses, learning is flexible, with a few ways to complete the program. Students can learn through remote learning in synchronous classes, remote learning through asynchronous classes, and local learning through on-campus classes. There are also several stackable certificates to earn while building this degree. Cybersecurity and Information Technology equips students with the skills to work in IT and cybersecurity departments and find employment in Security Operations Centers and Network Operation Centers.

Energy Management

Students can earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management. This degree meets the demands of the energy industry for qualified supervisors and managers, and to provide opportunities for energy workers to prepare for positions of leadership. In order to enroll in this program, students must complete an Associate in Applied Science, Certificate, or Diploma in an energy-related program from a regionally-accredited institution. Career opportunities include project supervisor, energy efficiency manager, energy supervisor, general manager, system supervisor, plant manager, and more.

Finance

BSC offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Finance. The program prepares students to plan, manage, and analyze the financial and monetary performance of an organization through application of finance theory to real-world situations via an internship. Students can also customize their degree to meet in-demand skills through stackable certificates in Accounting, Management, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Data Analytics. Careers with finance include financial analyst, financial planner, stock analyst, stockbroker, auditor, banker, strategic finance manager, risk manager, budget analyst, and more.

Foundations of Teaching

With the need for teachers increasing, BSC now offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in this program with enrollment in Valley City State University or Minot State University. This allows students to stay at BSC while simultaneously taking classes from a partner school.. It is designed for students to earn a Bachelors of Applied Science in Education and an Associates in Foundations of Teaching by the end of the program. The program has practicums every semester, students real-world teaching and classroom experience. With this degree, students will have career opportunities as a Title I Paraprofessional, Substitute Teacher, and a licensed educator.

Health Administration

Students can complete their Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Administration. This is a stackable program, designed to build on previous healthcare experience and knowledge. The program will prepare students for assuming leadership positions in healthcare. Students need to complete their Associate in Applied Science in a related field and are encouraged to have communications and science background. This degree will open up many career opportunities in public health administration, patient service coordination roles, and healthcare consultants. It will also open opportunities in nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics as a health administrator.

Integrated Marketing and Communication

Students get a foundation in marketing and communication by earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Marketing and Communication. Students can earn this degree on top of either a Strategic Communication AAS, an Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Arts, or Associate in Science from another accredited institution. Topics covered in this program include advising, marketing, public relations, strategic communication, and digital media. Potential career opportunities are advertising account executive, digital marketing specialist, social media strategist, marketing manager, public relations specialist, digital media coordinator, and marketing communications director.

Intelligent Machine Learning

This program builds on an associate degree in Industrial Automation & Robotics. After completion, students can go straight to earning their Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering Technology. This program is focused on teaching students Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions and how to apply these frameworks. After completion, students will be prepared for career opportunities at AI and ML organizations.

Mechatronics Engineering Technology

BSC offers a Bachelors of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering Technology. This program is designed to be a blend of engineering and technician topics where students will gain experience designing system integration, building and testing prototypes, programming software, and identifying how and where to implement automation. This degree offers employment options in manufacturing, aerospace, consumer electronics, and healthcare.

Operations Management

Students can earn their Bachelors of Applied Science in Operations Management. This all online program is designed to help those working in an industrial workplace or those who want to continue from their associates. Earning this degree prepares students for careers in higher management positions with responsibilities planning, directing, and coordinating activities in industrial workplaces. Career opportunities include Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Industrial Production Manager, Production Control Manager, and Quality Control Manager.

Organizational Management and Leadership

BSC offers a Bachelors of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership. This degree gives students a foundation in entrepreneurship while building skills in leadership, management, and communication. This program is customizable and students are able to build on previous college credit or rework the requirements through stackable certificates in Entrepreneurship, Sports and Fitness Entrepreneurship, Management, and Sports and Fitness Management. With this degree, careers include but are not limited to, sales manager, project manager, operations manager, business development manager, and the opportunity to create businesses and assume higher management positions.

Sports and Digital Broadcasting

Students can earn their Bachelors of Applied Science in Sports and Digital Broadcasting. This program gives students experience creating sports content for radio, TV, and other online platforms while centering on mass communication and sports broadcasting. It will cover a variety of topics such as live-event productions, broadcasting and journalism, digital content creations, technical skills, and commentary and presentation. With this degree students can find careers in sports journalism, sports broadcasting, live event broadcasting, and content creation.

Sports and Exercise Science

With BSC’s partnership with University of Mary, students can complete their BAS at BSC and then transfer to UMary to receive their Bachelors of Applied Science in Sports and Exercise Science. It will cover biological, physical, and health science with a focus on human movement. Topics include strength and conditioning, corporate wellness, military/law enforcement/first responder readiness, personal training, and coaching. This degree leads to employment options as a Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Sports/E-Sports Coach, Sports Recruiter, Exercise Therapist, Assistant Physical Therapist, Health Promotions, and Allied Health Worker.

University Studies

University Studies is a customizable program allowing students to make their own program plan with a specialization to help assist with post-graduation ambitions. To start, students need to draft a 15 credit minimum plan with at least 12 credits focusing on their specialization. This program is ideal for students looking to experience a variety of topics. Students can cater their individual pathways to their future careers.