Colorado Community College System

What you'll study

Specific course lists vary by college and approved program, but the system procedure requires incorporation of core course requirements and additional general education courses drawn from the System’s course inventory. The B.A.S. centers on hands-on experiences and job-related skill development; programs are expected to include upper-division coursework approved by the college and State Faculty Curriculum Committee.

Entry requirements

Colleges are expected to design the B.A.S. as a stackable credential, typically expecting students to complete an associate degree or certificate prior to enrolling, although exceptions exist for transfers. For any CCCS bachelor degree, at least 31 of the 120 credits must be earned at the awarding institution (or via approved arrangements), and new programs follow a multi-stage approval process involving college, System, State Board, CCHE notice, and HLC and federal approvals where applicable.

Career prospects

The B.A.S. is intended to deliver applied, workforce-relevant knowledge and skills tailored to specific career paths; programs must document employer demand and projected student interest as part of approval. Graduates should expect outcomes aligned with the occupational focus of their specific B.A.S. program, rather than a broadly academic bachelor’s trajectory.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Program tuition for upper-division courses is established per new degree and must reflect the incremental costs of operating the program; proposed tuition rates require State Board approval. Applicants and institutions are required to include program budget projections and cost-effectiveness assessments in approval materials.