Bachelor of Applied Technology

The Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree is an optional University degree for students who complete an Associate of Applied Science degree at an Idaho vocational-technical school. The degree requires compliance with the general University procedures and regulations for all bachelor's degrees, as explained under Academic Requirements in this catalog. Specific requirements come under these two categories: (1) completion of an AAS degree approved by the Idaho State Board of Education and (2) completion of a planned program of academic coursework that is officially approved by the student's assigned Advisory Committee and by the University's Bachelor of Applied Technology Committee. The student's Advisory Committee will consist of at least two members appointed by the Director of Individualized Education Programs: one advisor from the student's AAS technical program or field and one University faculty member-at-large. The two categories are explained below:

Category 1:

Completion of an AAS Program Approved by the Idaho State Board of Education

For all approved AAS programs except ISU's three-year Electronics Systems Technology program, students are allowed a maximum of 50 lower division credits to apply toward the BAT degree. For ISU's three-year Electronic Systems Technology program, students are allowed a maximum of 58 lower division credits plus 18 upper division credits for a total of 76 credits.

Note: Credits allowed for the AAS programs count only toward the BAT degree.

Specific requirements for ISU's AAS programs are given in this catalog under the School of Applied Technology. AAS students at ISU who are interested in coordinating AAS requirements with BAT requirements should consult their technical field advisors and counselors at the Student Services Office in ISU's School of Applied Technology. For additional information and assistance, they should also contact the University's Office of Individualized Education Program, which administers the BAT program.

Students pursuing an approved AAS program at another Idaho institution should first consult their technical field advisors at their institution if interested in coordinating AAS requirements with ISU's BAT requirements. They should apply for admission to ISU before the semester in which they plan to enroll as a BAT student. For additional information and assistance, they should contact ISU's Office of Individualized Education Programs, which administers the BAT program.

Category 2:

Completion of a Planned Program of Academic Coursework. Students are required to complete a formally approved plan of academic coursework. The plan must include at least the minimum requirements identified in the following explanation:

Students who complete ISU's three-year AAS in Electronic Systems Technology must complete a minimum of 60 credits with a minimum 2.0 g.p.a. in academic coursework. This brings the degree's minimum total to 136 credits. The academic coursework must include completion of the following: university general education requirements as specified for the BAT degree under General Education in this catalog; 12 credits in courses that support the AAS technical field; 18 credits of upper division (300/400) courses. The general education requirement in mathematics (Goal 3) is met through ISU's AAS in Electronics Systems Technology.

Students who complete any other approved AAS program must complete a minimum of 78 credits with a minimum 2.0 g.p.a. in academic coursework. This brings the degree's minimum total to 128 credits. The academic coursework must include completion of the following: university general education requirements as specified for the BAT degree under General Education in this catalog; 12 credits in courses that support the AAS technical field; 36 credits of upper division (300/400) courses. Also, students who earn an approved AAS in a business field may have to take more than 78 non-business academic credits to earn the BAT. Their vocational-technical business credits in the AAS program may come under ISU's academic regulations that limits the number of credits earned in business courses (combining both academic and technical business courses) to 25% of total degree credits when the student is pursing any degree other than a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Courses taken in this category cannot be randomly selected. They must be planned to satisfy BAT general education requirements, to support the AAS technical field and to support the individual student's carefully stated educational and career goals. After completing 15 credit hours of BAT general education requirements, the student is eligible to develop a proposed BAT degree plan of academic coursework for review and approval by advisors and by the BAT Committee. Students are recorded as "declared" BAT candidates after the plan for academic coursework has been officially approved by their assigned Advisory Committee and by the University's Chair for the Bachelor for Applied Technology Committee.

Students interested in pursuing this degree should plan to coordinate the course requirements for the approved AAS program, the academic courses necessary to meet the University's general education goals, and the remaining BAT academic course requirements. They should consult first with their applied technology counselors about requirements for the AAS degree and about general education courses that may meet requirements both in the AAS and in the BAT. When ready to enroll as a BAT student, students need to request assignment to an Advisory Committee who will assist in developing an appropriate plan for the additional academic coursework. The student's BAT Advisory Committee will include at least two faculty members, one in an academic discipline and the other in the student's technical specialization. For assignment to this committee and for further information, students need to contact the Office of Individualized Education Programs. Students may also wish to consult individual members of the University's Bachelor of Applied Technology Committee:

     Mr. Mike Echanis, Admissions Office
     Mr. Pete Fallesen, School of Applied Technology Trades Division
     Dr. Mahmoud Fouad, Department of Economics
     Mr. Gordon Jones. School of Applied Technology Dean's Office
     Ms. Bessie Katsilometes, Registration and Records
     Mr. Michael Lyons, School of Applied Technology
     Ms. Rosemary Myers (BAT Committee Chair), IEP office
     Mr. Darrell Scott, College of Business
     Dr. Steve Shropshire, Department of Physics
     Ms. Debbie Thompson, School of Applied Technology Student Services
     Dr. Russ Wahl, Department of English & Philosophy.