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UW Flexible Option Team

What Can You Do with a Business Administration Degree?

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You’re a self-motivated learner with some college credit but need a flexible way to earn a degree in order to take that next step in your career—in the business world or another field you find fulfilling. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) prepares graduates for a wide range of positions in finance, management, marketing, human resources, and more. In general, BSBA graduates use their degree to advance their career, make a career change, or as a stepping stone to a graduate degree—like an MBA.

What is Business Administration?

With a BSBA degree, you will learn fundamental business administration skills that are applicable to nearly every career field. A well-rounded BSBA program focuses on both hard and soft skill sets that expose students to real-world problem solving, interpersonal communication, operational functions, financial tools, and critical and systems thinking principles. 

The UW Flexible Option Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree offers two concentrations to choose from (General Business and Business Analytics) in addition to an Agile Project Management Certificate or Business Analytics Certificate. No matter which concentration or certificate program you choose, you will have a chance to develop specialized skills to excel in a particular area of the business field. Overall, a BSBA degree builds a strong foundation of professional skills that employers from nearly every industry look for in strong job candidates.

Business Administration Jobs and Career Paths

a chart showing minimum educational requirements for different business occupations
Source: Lightcast 2024

In the business field, the majority of job postings from January 2024 to June 2024 requested that applicants have a bachelor’s degree, compared with an associate degree.

The following job titles and median salaries reflect the common roles BSBA graduates are qualified for:

Possible Job Titles Median Salary
Accountants and Auditors $79,880
Budget Analysts $84,940
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners and Investigators $75,020
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists $74,530
Cost Estimators $74,740
Financial Analysts $99,890
Financial Examiners $84,300
Fundraisers $64,160
Human Resources Specialists $67,650
Insurance Underwriters $77,860
Labor Relations Specialists $89,980
Loan Officers $69,990
Logisticians $79,400
Management Analysts $99,410
Market Research Analysts $74,680
Personal Financial Advisors $99,580
Project Management Specialists $98,580
Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents $77,180

*Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)

Stacy Prodell is a great example of where a BSBA degree can take you. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s BSBA degree—offered through the UW Flexible Option. When Stacy was promoted from dental assistant to dental office manager, she knew she had to step up to her new role, which meant going back to school. 

Right away, Stacy was able to put her coursework into action—using supply and demand models, team management skills, and a critical eye for bottlenecks in her offices’ processes. Now as a BSBA graduate, Stacy has been given more dental offices to manage and feels confident not only to take on her career but to also succeed.

Or, a BSBA can set you up for a graduate degree program, like a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Sustainable Management, or a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. Antwaun Sanders, a recent MBA graduate from UW-Parkside and recipient of an Outstanding Graduate Award, got his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from UW Flexible Option. 

“What I learned in the BSBA program set me up for the MBA program,” he says. “I had no issues in a lot of courses because of what I learned in the BSBA program. Even if I had decided not to pursue my MBA, I could have gone out into the workforce and pursued other opportunities with the knowledge I gained in the Flex BSBA program.”

Where Business Administration Majors Work

The strength of a BSBA degree is that it prepares you for roles in virtually every industry, including in government and corporate life. Equally, if you are looking to make a career change, a BSBA degree can be the starting point of making that jump.

Rounding out the top five industries in which business professionals work: 

  1. Federal government
  2. Company and enterprise management
  3. Consulting services
  4. State government
  5. Local government
An inverted pie chart showing the top job sectors
Source: Lightcast 2024

Business Administration Careers Outlook

If you are wondering how likely you will secure a job as a BSBA graduate, regional and state hiring trends suggest an optimistic future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2032. About 911,400 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.

You will also have an opportunity to make a higher salary compared with other fields. The median annual wage for this group was $79,050 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.

Map of the U.S. showing high job concentrations in CA, TX, FL, and more.
Source: Lightcast 2024

California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Washington are among the top states with the biggest estimated increases in business jobs in the next decade. California and Texas will experience an increase of more than 14,700 jobs each, with Georgia at more than 6,000. Washington is expected to increase jobs by nearly 7,000 and Florida by almost 6,000 jobs.

Top Skills in a Business Administration Career

To stand out to employers, you will need a combination of hard and soft skills that highlight your ability to be a team player and your understanding of technical and business operations. Employers are seeking those with common skills like communication, leadership, problem solving and research. They’re also seeking individuals with specialized skills, including marketing, project management, data analysis, and finance.

A bar chart showing specialized job skills
Source: Lightcast 2024

 

An Online Business Administration Degree at Your Own Pace

In addition to common skills, employers are also looking for professionals with specialized skills, including project management, data analysis, analytics, and finance. With the newly launched concentrations for the UW Flexible Option BSBA, you can choose the path that works for you. With General Business, build a solid foundation in the functional areas of business and prepare for a variety of positions across industries. In the Business Analytics concentration, students gain the analytical skills to lead change and solve complex business challenges by converting data into strategic insights.

An Online Business Administration Degree at Your Own Pace

Accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)—the leading business accrediting body in the world—the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree offered through UW Flexible Option, features a project-based curriculum that establishes graduates who are equipped to succeed in the fast-paced world of business.

Offered 100% online, you will progress toward your degree at your own pace by demonstrating mastery of applicable skills and knowledge. Graduates of the program will be positioned for a variety of roles through the skillsets they learn and strengthen. At a glance, the program will prepare you to:

  • Apply financial tools and techniques to meet organizational objectives
  • Evaluate scenarios that impact an organization and respond using diverse communication strategies
  • Employ critical and systems thinking principles to create an integrated multi-functional strategy to meet organizational objectives

Explore the UW Flexible Option Bachelor of Science in Business Administration curriculum, tuition, and admissions process.

Competency-Based Education: What It Is, How It’s Different, and Why It Matters to You

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Everyone is talking about competency-based education, and for good reason. Competency-based programs, such as the UW Flexible Option, make it possible for adults around the country to earn a college degree while balancing work and family.

But what is competency-based education? How is it different from the traditional model? Most importantly, what does it mean to you?

Competency-based education explained

Simply put: In competency-based education, it’s about what you know and are able to do, not how long it takes you to master the course materials.

In the traditional higher education model, you must spend a fixed amount of time in the classroom – usually fifteen week semesters – regardless if you know the material and want to move ahead, or if you don’t quite grasp it and needed extra time. We believe that not all student learning can – or should – fit within a rigid timetable.

Competency-based education turns that traditional model on its head. Your progress through your coursework is based on your ability to prove you have mastered competencies—the skills, abilities, and knowledge required in an area of study. You do this by passing assessments after you’ve reviewed the learning resources. However long it takes you to master the material is unique to you.

What are the benefits of competency-based education?

By focusing on what you know rather than how much time you spend learning, competency-based education puts you in control of your education like never before. Instead of working at an instructor’s pace, you can use your existing knowledge to work at your own pace. You prove mastery of competencies whenever you’re ready to do so.

The idea is especially appealing for the millions of American adults with busy schedules who already have significant knowledge or even some college credits, but no degree. Many of our students tell us that the flexibility provided by UW Flexible Option programs allowed them to finally complete their degree and fulfill a lifelong personal goal.

The competency-based UW Flexible Option is:

  • 100% Online. Complete your coursework from your living room, a coffee shop, or the office. The only time you need to come to campus is to walk in the graduation ceremony when you finish!
  • Flexible. No scheduled log-on times, no commutes. The UW Flexible Option lets you start any month and work toward your degree on your own time. Want to take breaks in between courses? Go for it. Your coursework won’t get in the way of the rest of your busy life.
  • At Your Own Pace. Take assessments whenever you are ready. As soon as you prove mastery, you receive credit and can move on, without having to wait for the next lesson or semester. Move quickly through material you know or take more time if you need it.
  • Accredited. The UW Flexible Option builds on the University of Wisconsin System’s reputation for quality and innovation. All UW Flexible Option programs are accredited and are built by the same faculty who teach on UW System campuses.
  • Supportive. The programs are at your own pace, but you’re not alone. Receive personalized advising from a Success Coach who is there from when you start the program through your graduation. They help make sure you have the resources to be best setup for success.
  • Affordable. Instead of paying by course or by credit, the UW Flexible Option lets you pay a flat rate for a subscription period. If you are highly motivated and have significant experience related to your degree, you may be able to accelerate your progress and shorten your time to graduation. This structure saves you time and money.

Is competency-based education right for you?

Although competency-based education offers returning adult learners like yourself a real opportunity to earn a college degree while balancing work and family, this innovative model is not for everyone. But if you are the right kind of student—experienced, self-directed, and motivated to succeed—then the competency-based UW Flexible Option may be just the right fit.

Call one of our enrollment advisers today— 608-800-6762— to learn more about how you can fit college into your busy life and earn your degree. 

Click on any of the images below to learn about how some of our students have made competency-based education work for them.

Lori Kenyon

UW Flexible Option’s First Applicant Graduates with Information Science and Technology Degree

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At least two nights a week, Aaron Apel sat on the sidelines of his daughters’ volleyball practices, squeezing in three hours of coursework and readings. This was where he found focus and time to push forward in pursuit of earning his bachelor’s degree. Often, his studying would continue later into the night after the rest of his family went to bed. 

Aaron, his wife, and their three daughters.

And this spring, it all paid off.

Aaron is now a proud University of Wisconsin Flexible Option graduate of the online Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (IST) program, part of the UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies.

“I’m the first college graduate in my family,” Aaron said. “I’ve had this personal goal to achieve and prove to myself, and now to have completed my degree—it has finally come full circle.”

Being “first” at something seems to be Aaron’s specialty. He was also the first person to apply for a UW Flexible Option degree back in 2014. Motivated to advance his career as an IT project manager and business analyst at UW-Madison Office of the Registrar, he learned of UW Flexible Option through contacts at the university, and the flexibility of the online program caught his attention.

“I work full time, and I have three teenage daughters who are heavily involved in club sports, which turns into a year-round endeavor,” Aaron said. “We are all extremely busy, so knowing I would have the ability to work at my own pace was really appealing.”

The Value of Support and Flexibility

UW Flexible Option IST students, like Aaron, have the ability to learn when and where they choose. Progress is not limited by a traditional semester or term-based schedule, and students are allowed to take needed breaks throughout their studies. 

Through a self-paced curriculum, students focus on mastering competencies or skills by taking competency sets and passing assessments assigned to specific education areas such as web design, systems analysis, database information retrieval systems, and more. With this format, students are able to expand upon and apply their current knowledge and previous education to progress through the program. Upon graduation, students receive their bachelor’s degree from the UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies and are prepared to take on a variety of IST roles across diverse industries. To date, Aaron is one of more than 300 graduates from UW Flexible Option degree programs.

With IT work experience, an associate’s degree from Northeast Iowa Community College, and transfer credits from UW-Platteville, Aaron was able to jump into the program.

Aaron works as an IT project manager and business analyst at UW-Madison Office of the Registrar.

“All of my professional work has revolved around information technology, and the IST Flex program really aligned not only with the work I’m currently doing, but also with where I’d like to develop and advance in leadership,” Aaron said. “The fact that it is a UW degree—not a piece of paper from a diploma mill with asterisks and small print—that really made a huge impact on my decision to apply and get started.”

Aaron credits the program’s advanced information science courses for helping him strengthen his project management and development skills. Already used to spending full work days on a computer, he was very comfortable using the program’s online learning management system.

Even with the confidence and experience he had going into the program, Aaron still found value in the support he received. His Academic Success Coach, Mike Exum, worked with Aaron over the course of five years.

“Mike was always approachable, always responsive to any questions I had, and he helped ensure that I was staying on track during periods when life got busy and I needed to take breaks,” Aaron said. “He really helped me navigate through the pauses I had to take between enrollment periods, and he helped me jump back in when I was ready. I have to say that Mike was an essential component to my success, and I am thankful for him.”

New Possibilities

When Aaron became the first UW Flexible Option applicant, one phrase from UW System President Ray Cross stuck in his mind: “If you know it and prove it, you can do it. You can get this degree.”

Taking that promise to heart, Aaron is not only excited about being a UW Flexible Option graduate, but he is also looking forward to what the future holds: “This degree is really going to open some doors to advance my career,” Aaron said. “It is exciting to see it happening already.”

If he can impart some wisdom on prospective UW Flexible Option students, Aaron wants them to know that they too will find success in the program if they dedicate time to it. 

“Don’t let your anxiety hold you back,” Aaron said. “If you have a goal to complete a degree or need one to advance your career, just go for it! The UW Flexible Option has support systems in place and people who are ready to help you navigate through all of your questions and concerns. So if you’re hesitant, don’t be. Go for it!”

What’s Next?

Want to learn more about how the UW Flexible Option Information Science and Technology online degree can help advance your career or education goals? Call 1-877-895-3276 or email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu to get started.

What Can You Do with an Information Science and Technology Degree?

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You’re a motivated, disciplined self-starter with at least one year of professional IT experience looking to advance your career in the information and technology sphere. A Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (IST) prepares graduates for boundless opportunities in virtually every industry. Whether you are seeking a role as a web developer, security analyst, technical writer, or network architect, an IST degree has you covered.

In general, IT professionals who earn their IST degree use it to advance their career to the next level—whether that be through earning a promotion or by moving into a different IT job or industry. 

What is Information Science and Technology?

Students in the IST program learn how information is retrieved, organized, repackaged, and applied to nearly every aspect of our increasingly digital culture and economy. Coursework focuses on in-demand skills, such as front-end web design, database management, systems analysis, information architecture, and more.

A bachelor’s degree in IST builds a strong foundation of essential IT and professional skills that employers from many industries—including healthcare, insurance, security, and creative—look for. 

Information Science and Technology Jobs and Career Paths

As industry needs and personal goals change, IST graduates are able to lean on their IST education to find meaningful work in a variety of industries and to widen their career paths.

If you are interested in an Information Science and Technology bachelor’s degree, you’ll be well positioned for roles such as:

  • Systems analyst
  • Systems administrator
  • Business analyst
  • Network architect
  • Web developer
  • Technical writer
  • Information security analyst
  • Database administrator
  • Software developer
  • IT network administrator

Where Information Science and Technology Majors Work

Professionals who understand the value, role, and application of modern technology as it relates to the transfer of information are needed in every company. The following are common industries where IST graduates find work:

Source: Emsi

Information Science and Technology Careers Outlook

In May 2019, total employment for the above IST-related occupations reached 48,720 employees in Wisconsin and 2.6 million employees nationwide. The next decade predicts demand to grow for these roles, with 288,511 new jobs created—approximately 29,000 newly trained IST professionals needed each year through 2029.

 

Source: Emsi

 

Top Skills in an IST Career

A combination of technical and soft skills are needed to succeed in IST-related job roles. At the top of the technical checklist are SQL/programming skills, operating systems knowledge, and agile software development. However, strong technical knowledge alone will not help you stand out. Top soft skills that IST employers seek include management, communications, leadership, problem-solving, and innovation.

Source: Emsi

 

Source: Emsi

An Online Information Science and Technology Degree at Your Own Pace

Originated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies and offered through UW Flexible Option, the Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology online program is the only one of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. Through a self-paced format that can fit any schedule,
UW Flexible Option students can start any month and leverage existing technical education to progress toward graduation.

With core competency sets and electives such as Introduction to Systems Analysis, Web Application Development, and Introduction to Business and Technical Communications, UW Flexible Option IST students graduate from the program with a combination of hard and soft skills that round them out as strong, adaptable professionals.

A mix of faculty and IT professionals designed the IST curriculum which allows students to personalize and structure degree plans based on transfer and elective credits to maximize their career options.

Explore the UW Flexible Option Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology curriculum, tuition, and admissions process.

Assistant Head Nurse Advances Her Career and ICU Through UW Flexible Option

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With over 15 years of experience as a staff nurse, along with recently earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), one thing might surprise you about Tiffany Breezee — she dropped out of high school.

“When you’re younger and you think about what you’re going to do with your life, you don’t really expect to know how your future is going to pan out,” Tiffany said.

In her eyes, Tiffany’s career journey is a convoluted tale. Frustrated with 70-hour work weeks at three different jobs, Tiffany was dissatisfied with her future outlook and knew she needed to change her path. At 18, Tiffany completed her high school equivalency diploma. Then, at 21 she pursued an associate’s degree in nursing at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC). Having always been drawn to science and looking for a career that would both challenge and motivate her, Tiffany saw nursing as a new and proactive role in which to apply herself. Admittedly, Tiffany knew very little about what she was getting into — no one in her family had obtained a medical science profession degree before — but she was determined to at least try.

Three years later, Tiffany graduated from WITC with an associate’s degree and passed the NCLEX exam. As a new registered nurse, Tiffany felt like she had made it. Next, she worked her way from registered nurse to assistant head nurse of the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Essentia Health in Duluth, MN. There, she influences decisions regarding unit improvements, speaks to the work of the nursing staff, and advocates for advancements in bedside care. However, once again, Tiffany knew she wanted to do more, and the next logical step was to obtain her BSN and reach her full potential as a nurse.

Tiffany searched for a BSN degree from a university that had respect behind its name. Quality of education, flexibility with her work schedule, and affordability were at the top of her mind. After she enrolled in the University of Wisconsin Flexible Option RN to BSN online program, Tiffany knew she made the right choice.

Discovering Opportunities Through UW Flexible Option

Powered by its career-focused education model, the UW Flexible Option online RN to BSN nursing curriculum is designed for working registered nurses like Tiffany. The program provides an affordable and flexible option for registered nurses to earn the BSN they need to move up in their current positions and to stay competitive in the ever-growing healthcare ecosystem.

UW Flexible Option BSN students have the ability to learn when and where they choose. Progress is not limited by a traditional semester or term-based schedule, and students are allowed to take needed breaks throughout their studies. This flexibility suits the busy and varied schedules of working RNs, providing opportunities that allow them to advance their education while also focusing on their career.

Through a self-paced curriculum, students focus on mastering competencies or skills by taking competency sets and passing assessments assigned to specific education areas such as leadership, communication, care management, and more. With this format, students are able to expand upon and apply their current knowledge and previous education. Upon graduation, students receive their BSN from the UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing, which is in the top 15 percent of U.S. nursing programs.

Catching the Attention of UW Nursing Faculty

Lisa Mihlbauer, a clinical associate professor and the director of RN-to-BSN completion programs at UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing has taught many students during more than 35 years at the university. When Tiffany was in her genetics and capstone competency sets,  however, her work instantly stood out to Professor Mihlbauer.

“I had never seen assessments so well done,” Professor Mihlbauer recalled. “I was shocked at her level of proficiency, so much so that when I first read her submission I reached out to Tiffany’s academic success coach right away and asked if she had a previous baccalaureate degree, because she appeared to be almost an expert writer on the subject.”

Throughout the rest of her competency sets, Tiffany’s work continued to impress and exceed expectations. Other faculty members in both nursing and health sciences contacted Professor Mihlbauer to praise Tiffany’s work when she completed exemplary assessments.

“I can’t tell you enough about how stellar her work was,” Professor Mihlbauer said. “Tiffany’s story really spoke to me because she came into this program with an associate’s degree and used that degree along with her significant work experience as a nurse and really soared.”

Bringing Her Capstone to Life

Tiffany attributes her success in the UW Flexible Option RN to BSN online degree program to her work experience as an ICU nurse.

“The program gave me a basis for what elements really make an impact on patient outcomes, because I was directly seeing them in my work,” Tiffany said. “As an assistant head nurse, I knew I wanted to focus my attention on developing a unit that spoke to the practice and the work that our nurses do every single day.”

Prior to enrolling in the UW Flexible Option program, Tiffany found that many nursing roadblocks developed when she and her colleagues struggled to bridge the gaps among practice, research, and improved outcomes. Fortunately, the BSN program strengthened Tiffany’s leadership and communication skills, along with her action plan strategies to address such discrepancies. For example, Tiffany notes that the chronic care management and symptom management in chronic and life-limiting illness competency sets further enhanced her clinical skills. Lessons from these competency sets helped her better understand the barriers to health management and how to overcome obstacles by providing a more personalized approach to patient education and condition management outside of the structured hospital environment.

For her capstone project, Tiffany drew on everything she learned in the online BSN program, and yielded positive results for the ICU at Essentia Health. Her team was dealing with a significant level of clostridium difficile (C.diff) bacteria infections among patients who were experiencing diarrhea, abdominal cramping, dehydration, and in more serious cases, inflammation of the colon. Tiffany saw her capstone project as an opportunity to contribute to her current patients’ health and decided to focus her capstone on decreasing the infection prevalence in her unit.

First, Tiffany and the nursing staff used materials and lessons from her capstone to form a multidisciplinary team where she applied clinical practices she had learned to improve specific outcomes. Then, they identified increased risk factors for infection in their patients. She also used skills from her leadership and management competency sets to strategically plan and focus on staff development.

Tiffany and the nursing staff’s main goal was focused on bedside nursing interventions that would lead to a significant risk reduction for their high-risk patient population, such as proper patient placement, preemptive isolation criteria, infection prevention education on the correct donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, standardized stocking processes to reduce cross contamination, effective hand washing, and more.

Afterward, the multidisciplinary findings on potential lapses in environmental services and infection prevention departments were reviewed, and corresponding department managers facilitated improvements in terminal room cleaning processes, ancillary staff education, patient inclusion and exclusion criteria, and standardization for risk reduction in patient care areas.

“At the end of the day, we wound up with an 86 percent reduction in our C.diff infection rate, which is well beyond what’s expected in literature and other research,” Tiffany said. “The majority of the interventions that led to this success were nursing driven, because we were able to find the knowledge gaps that our nursing staff had. The project was a great indication of what you can accomplish when you apply the core concepts of your education.”

News of Tiffany and the nursing staff’s C. diff infection reduction success circulated, and they were recognized by Essentia Health’s CEO. Their work was also forwarded systemwide to improve other departments.

“Even though we have a small unit with 11 beds, we found out that a lot of our nursing interventions were closely related to everyday practice,” Tiffany said. “So, if what we found has greatly impacted the care of the nurses we have — it’s exciting to think about how this positive outcome can help even larger populations.”

Reflection and Motivation for the Future

As a recent graduate, Tiffany reflects on her time in the UW Flexible Option RN to BSN program, while also looking toward the future.

Tiffany is committed to lifelong learning and has applied to a handful of doctorates of nursing practice (DNP) programs. She is excited to keep her options open as she figures out which of her many passions in patient care she wants to further establish. Joining cardiothoracic surgeons as a bedside nurse practitioner is one direction she is currently considering.

For registered nurses who are considering a BSN program or newly BSN graduates like herself, Tiffany believes the best advice she can give them is to recognize their potential and to never stop trying to achieve it.

“I’m still surprised by how much I have done,” she said. “When you come from a background like mine, your future is not always optimistic, but I know I can accomplish what I set out to do now.”

The UW Flexible Option RN to BSN online program allowed Tiffany to pursue an education despite her busy nursing career, and she sees the same value for other working adults alike.

“It’s really encouraging that someone like me — I guess you would say who had humble beginnings — can succeed in a program like this,” Tiffany said. “Even though I didn’t have face-to-face communication with the faculty, through their availability and expertise in my competency sets and my prior work experience, all of that led to my success, and that is quite amazing.”

Are you interested in earning your BSN? Call or email us today at 1-877-895-3276 or flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu to get started.

Could You Earn a Fast, Online Bachelor’s Degree in 12 Months?

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If you want to earn a reputable bachelor’s degree from a university, you may think you know your options: traditional on-campus or online education.

But there’s another choice: self-paced, competency-based education (CBE) where you move through a degree based on how quickly you are learning—independent of traditional semester schedules. CBE is ideal for those who want to earn a high quality, fast, online degree. 

In traditional semester-based programs, you have to finish a course in sixteen weeks—even if you know the material and could go faster, or if you are really struggling and need more time. And it can be frustrating when a class you need to graduate isn’t available, delaying you further. As a result, a bachelor’s degree completion program can take several years to finish, even if you go back to school full time. 

Compare that to a self-paced, CBE program, such as the UW Flexible Option offered by UW Extended Campus and the University of Wisconsin System, where your pace is truly up to you. In this format, it is possible to complete a degree in 12 months. Every course is offered every subscription period, and you control the speed at which you study. 

But could you do it? Here are four signs that you are a good candidate to earn a degree in just one year.  

1. You’re ready to put in the work.

Completing a fast, online bachelor’s degree in 12 months is possible, and we can point to UW Flexible Option graduates who have done it. However, word to the wise: it’s challenging.

You will likely need to dedicate 30 to 40 hours to your studies each week. In fact, if your goal is to finish in one year, you will want to think about your studies like you would a full-time job. Students who do this are typically self-starters, disciplined, and highly motivated. 

On the other hand, keep in mind that some students who complete their degree this fast are working part-time or are deployed overseas. Others have been in their fields for a long time and have a wealth of existing knowledge they can apply to their studies. Some are currently between jobs, looking for a quick way to upskill or reskill and they have extra available time right now. If any of the above apply to you, then an accelerated pace might be a good fit.

2. You have a lot of college credit already—around 60 to 80 credits.  

There are over 750,000 adults in Wisconsin who have college credit but no degree. If you fall into that category—and you have 60 to 80 credits—the UW Flexible Option is an ideal path, especially if your goal is to graduate within a year.

A full bachelor’s degree is typically 120 credits, which is about 40 classes. If you are starting college for the first time, finishing an entire bachelor’s degree in a year won’t be realistic. You will not have the time to truly demonstrate learning on the material (and be wary of those that say otherwise!).

But, if you are in the early stages of your college studies, you could begin with the UW-Milwaukee Associate of Arts & Sciences (AAS) degree offered through the UW Flexible Option. An AAS is a way to satisfy your general education requirements (the first half of a bachelor’s degree) and set you up on a great foundation to complete your bachelor’s degree after.

To find out how many credits you need to graduate, contact an enrollment adviser (608-800-6762) to see if your program offers an unofficial credit evaluation. Otherwise, when you apply to your chosen program you will receive an official transfer credit evaluation. This will help you know for sure how many credits you will need to graduate with your chosen bachelor’s degree.

3. You are considering a self-paced, competency-based program.

In Competency-Based Education (CBE), you make progress based on your learning, not on time spent in a classroom. The UW Flexible Option offers online degree and certificate programs that give busy adults the flexibility they need to earn a credential. The pace that you choose is up to you, not an instructor or an institution. As soon as you master a competency (through a rigorous project-based assessment), you can move on to the next one. No waiting for other classmates, or waiting an entire semester. 

Here are more ways CBE makes a fast online bachelor’s degree more attainable:

  • You can start any month. No waiting for the next semester.
  • You don’t waste time studying things you already know. You can apply existing knowledge to your studies and potentially leverage it to progress faster.
  • With the “All You Can Learn” subscription period option, you can complete as many courses as you would like in 12 weeks for one flat rate. And if you progress faster than anticipated, you can always add more courses within that subscription period. 
  • You work 1-to-1 with your instructor, not with other students. There are no group projects or collaborative discussions, so you don’t need to coordinate your work time with other students.  

4. You have the time to complete one or two courses per month.

The average number of courses you would need to complete each month depends on how much transfer credit you have. But, as a quick illustration, here are some simplified scenarios. These show the time you might need to finish your bachelor’s degree in 4 subscription periods (12 months). 

Credits you transferred in Credits remaining to degree Average completed credits needed
per month to finish in 12 months
80 40 3
70 50 4
60 60 5

Reminder: You might be thinking, “I think I could finish one class each month for a year”—and that’s great! But remember to consider the number of hours you have available for schoolwork. UW Flexible Option programs follow the federal standard definition of a credit hour: 45 hours of total work per 1 credit hour. So if you only have, say, an hour each night after the kids go to bed that you can use for school, you’ll want to set a more realistic goal of finishing your degree in two to three years, rather than trying to cram into one.

Note: The math isn’t always easy when it comes to transfer credit: something might transfer but not satisfy a degree requirement, and you still need to earn enough credits to meet the residency requirement of your college. Therefore, it will be important that you talk about your transfer credit, time available per week, and your degree goals with your Academic Success Coach.

Go for a Fast Online Bachelor’s Degree, But Know You Can Slow Down

You want a degree fast. That’s fantastic. But if you later want to slow down, you can do just that in your UW Flexible Option degree program. It was designed to be flexible for those who need to go lightning fast, as well as those who are extremely busy and need to take their studies at a steadier pace. 

In fact, though the focus of this article is on speed-to-degree, many UW Flexible Option students, like our alumnus Aaron Apel, use the flexibility of the program to go very slowly through the program due to their busy life. And that’s a great feature about the UW Flexible Option: it’s ultimately not about how fast or slow you go, it’s about your personalized learning journey and you earning the degree you’ve always wanted.

Your next step?

Explore the degree and certificate programs offered through University of Wisconsin Flexible Option. 

Call (608-800-6762) or email one of our knowledgeable enrollment advisers to talk through how the UW Flexible Option might be a great fit for you. 

Editors note: This post was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated.

Network Engineer Earns IT Degree by Completing 51 Credits in 9 Months

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Tyler Coady earned his Information Science and Technology (IST) bachelor’s degree in only nine months. What made the UW Flexible Option so right for him? Here are three ways the unique format of UW Flexible Option fit Tyler’s life.

Online Education Meant No “Seat Time”

For many adult students who are balancing work, family, hobbies, or other priorities, a traditional, face-to-face college experience isn’t an option. With UW Flexible Option, the online format meant no commuting to campus and no sitting in class.

Tyler said, “At first, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to fit a degree into my life. My wife and I moved every year. But then I did some research and found UW Flexible Option and knew I could finally earn my degree online.”

He Progressed at His Own Pace

The UW Flexible Option IST degree is offered through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies. Tyler transferred into the school as an associate degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and was able to begin any month he chose without waiting for the next semester.

Tyler, who already had seven years of IT work experience, didn’t want to spend time or money sitting through lectures on topics he already knew. Through the self-paced, competency-based format of UW Flexible Option, he was able to leverage the knowledge he gained on-the-job to demonstrate mastery of many competencies without having to sit through entire classes or semesters re-learning the material. 

UW Flexible Option students sign up for three-month subscription periods and can choose from a single competency set or an “All You Can Learn” option. Tyler chose the “All You Can Learn” option and earned 51 credits in nine months. 

The day before Tyler started his courses, he began a new job as a network engineer at Baker Tilly, a top accounting and advisory firm. Since UW Flexible Option was designed for busy, working adults, the new job didn’t prevent him from getting started on his degree. In between designing and maintaining the IT infrastructure—servers, switchers, and routers—and planning the data center for a company with 2,700 employees, Tyler fit in his education.

“I cannot think of a better way for someone with a full-time job to complete coursework at their own pace than through UW Flexible Option.” 

His Success Coach Supported Him

From day one, students are paired with an Success Coach. Tyler’s coach was Danielle Stertz.

“None of this would have been possible without the help of my Success Coach, Danielle.”

For adult students, returning to college can be intimidating. Your Success Coach is there to help motivate you, help you plan your course (known as competency sets) schedule, offer study tips, navigate the learning system, and more. They’ll also periodically check in just to see how you’re doing.

“Danielle was excellent at helping me plan my degree. She was always available when I sent her emails and was incredibly helpful in dealing with any issues that came my way.”

What’s Next for Tyler?

Tyler graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies with a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology in July 2017. Earning his degree led Tyler to opportunities to advance his career in information technology at Baker Tilly.

“My bachelor’s degree in Information Science and Technology has opened the doors to software and web development projects I would have otherwise not qualified for.”

He was able to apply what he was learning right away at work. As a result his growing skills, Tyler was often selected to work on cross-functional projects.

“I’m already looking at master’s programs that will help me advance in my career to security engineer. I’m very happy with the UW Flexible Option experience. If UW Flexible Option had a graduate program, I would sign up today!”

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Explore the IST degree. Find information about the curriculum, tuition, and more.

Contact us. Our advisers would be happy to answer any questions you have about UW Flexible Option and the IST program. Call 1-877-895-3276 or email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

These 3 Study Plans Show How Fast You Could Finish a UW Flexible Option Degree

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If you want a degree program that’s self-paced and affordable, you’re in the right place. Online, competency-based University of Wisconsin Flexible Option programs are designed exactly for adults like you.

So, what might your study plan look like if you wanted to complete your degree in 12 months? 18 months? 24 months? We will show you below using the UW Flexible Option Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology program as an example. [Read more…] about These 3 Study Plans Show How Fast You Could Finish a UW Flexible Option Degree

With UW Flexible Option, Daughter Makes Good on Promise to Earn Her Degree

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Maggie Zoerb left college her freshman year, promising her dad she’d return one day. Twelve years later, she fulfilled that promise. In March 2018, Maggie earned her Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies. Not only did she make good on her promise, but she moved into a management position. [Read more…] about With UW Flexible Option, Daughter Makes Good on Promise to Earn Her Degree

What Can You Do With a Health Sciences Degree?

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You’re an experienced professional with an associate degree, but now you need a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science: Health Sciences prepares you to assume a wide range of roles within both clinical and non-clinical settings, such as medical lab technologist, claims reviewer, and healthcare administrator.

In general, students earn a health sciences degree to:

  • Advance their current healthcare careers to the next level
  • Change jobs or industries
  • Prepare for graduate or professional programs, such as chiropractic programs, physical or occupational therapy, healthcare informatics, athletic training, or healthcare administration. Additional coursework may be required for admission to graduate or professional programs. Check the requirements for programs you wish to pursue. 

[Read more…] about What Can You Do With a Health Sciences Degree?