Orlando, FL – Valencia College will introduce its first bachelor’s degree in business, with the first classes available in May 2018.
The college’s new Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Leadership (BASBOL) is designed to provide access to a bachelor’s degree for students who have earned an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree in any discipline. The degree is designed to help A.S. graduates add business skills on top of their previously learned industry skills. For A.A. graduates, completing this business degree will also prepare them for leadership positions in industry.
When the program launches in the summer 2018 semester, students will be offered core classes including business law, marketing management, and management theory, with a focus on supervision and management. This bachelor’s degree program is ideal for people in supervisory roles who cannot advance into management without a bachelor’s degree, Valencia officials say.
“We can offer classes that will not only lead to a bachelor’s degree, but will provide students education in a field that will directly help them in their current role. What they learn in class on Tuesday, they will be able to apply at work on Wednesday,” said Terry Allcorn, dean of business and hospitality at Valencia’s West Campus.
The new degree program, which will be housed at Valencia’s West Campus, will also be beneficial for recent college graduates who want to start their own business, say college officials.
College leaders worked with local business executives and University of Central Florida officials to tailor a business program that meets the needs of the Central Florida business community.
“Over four years ago, the members of Valencia’s business advisory committee requested that we consider a bachelor degree in a business field. This committee is made up of business and community leaders who provide valuable insights into the skills our students need to be successful,” said Allcorn.
The classes will be offered at the West Campus initially, but Valencia plans to eventually roll out online classes and classes on other Valencia campuses.
Valencia has designated this degree as one pathway to a $10,000 degree. If high-school students or technical school graduates enroll at Valencia with 15 credits (from dual enrollment, Advanced Placement courses or technical school courses), they may be eligible for the $10,000-degree program.
For more details about the program, please visit: http://valenciacollege.edu/businessandorganizationalleadership