Northwest College Considers Next Bachelor’s Degree Program
Written by Andrew-Rossi on March 3, 2022
Northwest College is considering Criminal Justice Studies as its next bachelor’s degree and asks the community to weigh in on their “need and interest.”
Northwest College is in a transformative period, as the institution looks for a new president and considers rebranding to revive its enrollment and regional interest. Meanwhile, the college is offering its first bachelor’s degree and is considering what comes next.
The first bachelor’s degree in Northwest College history started its first class in Fall 2021. The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Program in Professional Studies is for anyone looking to build upon current skills or academic progress and become successful managers and leaders in their area of specialization.
Now, the college is asking for community input on a potential new degree: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Studies.
A Criminal Justice program is already in place at Northwest College, culminating in an Associate of Arts degree. In addition, the program has a transfer agreement with the University of Wyoming and qualifies for a Wyoming Works grant for Wyoming residents.
A Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Criminal Justice Studies would provide students with the skills necessary to enhance their personal and career potential in law enforcement.
This degree provides up-to-date training in police protocols & police procedures, ethics & cultural awareness, practical skills for law enforcement practitioners, and organizational leadership. The degree is intended for students who already have an Associate Degree (in Arts, Science, or Applied Science) in any field of study from Northwest College.
The B.A.S. in Criminal Justice Studies will be offered for admitted students each year and completed in two years. However, a two-year completion is only possible if students already have an Associate of Art, Science, or Applied Science.
Ultimately, the decision to implement the new program is in the hands of Northwest College students and the communities of the Bighorn Basin.
Northwest College has created a simple survey to gauge community interest on expanding the Criminal Justice program. The survey is to help the college administration “estimate the demand for the program and design it to best fit the needs of potential students.”
Questions range from a student’s general interest and motivation in the program to their preference for a “head-on-head” or online course and how soon they’d like the program to be implemented.
Anyone interested in a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Criminal Justice Studies at Northwest College is asked to complete and submit the online survey by March 18.