Applied Technology, Bachelor of Science

Philosophy

For the working adults who have some college, military, and/or work experience, the Bachelor of Science degree program in Applied Technology is a unique degree program designed to meet their educational and career needs. The goal of the Applied Technology program is to recognize student prior learning and experience, and build upon that learning through a general education foundation along with technology course requirements for careers in business and technology. Accordingly, it not only incorporates the detailed skills and knowledge needed to work in the present-day technology environment, but also stresses fundamental concepts in multiple pathways to embrace changes in technology throughout the workforce. Included in the curriculum are courses that examine information assurance, process management, information systems, multimedia production, software applications, language, design, and internship/co-op opportunities.

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Technology (BAT) program is a flexible STEM baccalaureate degree offering a broad technology base, designed for students who want to develop through selected technology pathways and/or in combination with multiple disciplines. This degree provides students with foundation skills in technology including exposure to information assurance, process management, information systems, multimedia production, software applications, technology language, and design. Students in the Applied Technology degree will learn foundation skills in technology with flexibility to customize additional course requirements based on pathways of individual interests and career needs. This provides students with technical skills in combination with the broad education necessary to compete for jobs in today's knowledge economy.

Program Competencies

Students completing the Applied Technology B.S. program will be able to:

• Apply workplace technology tools to develop and present communications that are coherent, unified, and focused;
• Analyze applications of emerging technologies for problem solving in chosen technical area;
• Demonstrate an understanding of how integrating technology increases effectiveness in the workplace, by employing critical thinking strategies to analyze outcomes and determine logical solutions;
• Describe and apply the ethical principles required of a technology professional;
• Research, construct and deliver professional presentations while appraising the needs of the audience;
• Research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information; and
• Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics and usage.  Correctly and ethically exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes diverse audience, and genres.

Experiential Learning

The Office of Experiential Learning takes a 360^◦ approach to experiential learning. Whether you come to Wilmington University with a vast amount of professional experience and are awarded Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or you participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in your curriculum for credit, we provide a pathway to completing your degree.

Cooperative Education

In order to provide relevant work experience, students in the Applied Technology degree program have the option of completing up to 15 credit hours via a co-op assignment. In order to be eligible, students must first have completed two core courses in residence and at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students can complete their Applied Technology degree with 120 credit hours, whether they choose the co-op option or not. Because each co-op experience is individually designed, students must inform the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and their Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.   For additional information on cooperative education, please visit: https://www.wilmu.edu/coel/work-integrated-learning.aspx

Course Selection

The course selection for this program will be approved by the faculty Program Chair after the student completes an interview with an Academic Advisor or COEL Specialist.

Minimum Grade Policy

The Applied Technology program has set a minimum passing grade of “C-” for program core courses and required technology electives. Students receiving a grade lower than “C-” in any required core or technology elective course must retake that course.

Accelerated Graduate Certificate Option

Students in the Applied Technology B.S. degree program may choose an accelerated option with:

• Management Information Systems Graduate Certificate; or
• Technology Project Management Graduate Certificate

Students selecting this option can complete both their undergraduate degree and the graduate certificate by completing 120 credits (105 undergraduate credits and 15 graduate credits).  The five graduate courses (15 credits) needed for the graduate certificate would count as five courses (15 credits) towards undergraduate electives in your degree.

Students who complete the Management Information Systems or Technology Project Management Graduate Certificates also receive the benefit of completing five graduate level courses that count towards a Master’s degree in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST).  Students selecting this option are not required to pursue the MS-IST degree.

Admission requirements include:

• A minimum GPA of 3.25
• Completion of at least 60 credits towards your degree program
• A meeting with an academic advisor to submit an Accelerated Option Intent (AOI) form upon completion of at least 30 credits; and
• Recommendation of the Program Chair

Note:  Students will not be eligible to register for graduate level courses until they have successfully completed at least 60 credits towards their bachelor’s degree and have an approved AOI form.  Students must receive their B.S. degree in order to receive the graduate certificate.

Minimum Grade Policy: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.

The APL410 capstone course will be completed after the certificate has been completed.