On September 1-2, 2010, Lumina Foundation for Education brought together a group of 115 experts in higher education and workforce development to discuss “Applied Baccalaureate Developments and Future Implications.” Applied Baccalaureate programs are Bachelor’s degree programs that have been designed to articulate fully with applied associate degrees, typically Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. AAS degrees have historically been considered terminal and have therefore been more difficult to transfer to bachelor-granting institutions. Applied Baccalaureate programs complement the AAS, and are in some cases offered at community colleges.

In order to reach the Big Goal, increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality postsecondary credentials, Lumina hosted this convening to explore the potential of Applied Baccalaureate Programs to meet workforce needs, enhance degree completion options for working-age adults, and expand access to the baccalaureate degree. This convening, held in Indianapolis, was designed to bring together leaders in this field, from states like Florida with rapidly growing Applied Baccalaureate programs, to states considering developing these degree programs. Participants were able to learn from each other to better define what the Applied Baccalaureate is, the policy and practice changes that must occur before these programs can be implemented, and the challenges faced.

Looking to the future, Lumina will continue to explore the potential of these degrees with research and convenings. For materials from the convening, as well as research findings, please visit the Office of Community College Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois, who partnered with Lumina in planning the convening:

Documents and presentations from the Applied Baccalaureate convening