Manufacturing Technology Major
If you work in the manufacturing industry and you've wanted to continue your education and earn a four-year degree—now you can. By completing the University of Minnesota's Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program with a major in Manufacturing Technology, you'll not only earn valued University of Minnesota credentials, but also combine your experience with the education you need to advance your career and move into management positions.
While the applied science part of this degree program may be new to you, the BAS is a nationally recognized designation just as a bachelor of science is. However, the "applied" designation indicates that the curriculum takes a hands-on approach in the classroom, focusing not only on theory, but also on its applied use in the workplace. You'll find that more of the required courses are related to specific skills with fewer general liberal education credits needed to meet the 120-credit degree requirements. Additionally, this part-time, flexible program offers courses at times and locations convenient to working adults like you. Courses are scheduled in the late afternoons and evenings on the University campus and at metro-area community colleges, and many courses are available online, making it easier for you to fit them into your busy schedule.
The BAS degree is an advanced-standing program, meaning that most lower-division requirements should be completed or near completion before applying for official admission to the program. However, you can get started right away. You do not have to be admitted to the BAS degree program in order to enroll in a BAS course. You can choose courses that interest you; build skills in a particular area; and help you learn more about the Manufacturing Technology program. Then, if you decide you want to earn a BAS degree, you can apply for admission to the program.
Curriculum Description
Courses included in the Manufacturing Technology curriculum emphasize applied skills and are designed to teach you new skills in the areas of manufacturing systems and processes, computer technology, quality, operations, project management, business and finance, and interpersonal skills including communications, leadership, teamwork, and diversity.
Specifically, the lower-division course work introduces you to basic course work in math, physics, chemistry, economics, speech, composition, and skills specific to the manufacturing industry. Upper-division course work, offered by the University of Minnesota, expands and reinforces the knowledge and skills previously introduced and challenge you to apply your experience and learning to complex problems. The manufacturing technology courses focus on technical skills while business courses expand your experience in managing projects as well as handling the complex personal interactions that are necessary for success in the workplace.
The length of time necessary to complete the degree requirements depends on how many courses you enroll in per term and the number of credits you can transfer to the program. You may enroll in as many courses per term as you can manage.
The technical Manufacturing Technology courses for the major must be taken in the classroom; however, the required Applied Business (ABus) courses and many of the general liberal education courses can be completed online or through other forms of independent study.
