UW-Parkside to Partner with UW-Waukesha

UW-Waukesha is less than 30 minutes and less than 20 miles from Muskego.  It will also be the closest distance between home and a 4-year degree for many adults and other students wanting to stay at home but wanting the UW degree.

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside announced they are partnering with the two-year UW-Waukesha campus on a new degree-completion program. Creation of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) degree "creates a new pathway through the UW College system for underserved adult learners with family and career obligations to obtain a bachelor’s degree while they continue to contribute to their local communities," according to a release from Parkside.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to help place-bound adults,” said UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford speaking in support of the B.A.A.S. degree. “Our campus is already working to align our efforts with the UW-Waukesha campus.”

Ford called the degree program “cost effective and efficient” for Wisconsin and its students.

Ultimately this will mean that Muskego residents will be able to stay, live and work in the community while completing a bachelor’s degree from the UW Colleges.

Similar programs exist in La Crosse, Platteville, Stevens Point, Menomonie (UW-Stout), and Superior as they have partnered with two-year colleges in their regions.

The new degree program continues UW-Parkside’s effort to create clear paths for students seeking to complete their degree. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the Kenosha campus also signed 10 separate credit transfer agreements with Gateway Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Waukesha County Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, and the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree could be offered to students as early as fall semester 2012.