Hospitality BAS Degree

BAS Degree | FAQ's | Requirements | Sequence | How to Apply | Admissions

The Bachelor’s of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Hospitality Management at South Seattle Community College will prepare those students who have completed a two-year technical degree (or are close to it) for management, marketing and human resource positions in all facets of the hospitality industry, including tourism, hotel operation, restaurant management, catering, cruise ships, casino operations and travel. The four-year management degree will also serve emerging hospitality fields such as the growing number of assisted and independent living facilities in the Puget Sound region that cater to the increasing population of retirees and the elderly. The program is unique in its focus to provide applied management training to underrepresented students in the region’s largest hospitality industry.

Frequently Asked Questions of the BAS Program

Is the program accredited?
South Seattle Community College is accredited to offer two-year degrees by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) (Redmond, Wash.), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. South Seattle Community College has received Candidacy at the baccalaureate level from NWCCU.

When will the program begin and how long will it take?
The first classes are scheduled to begin September 2007. Classes are scheduled in the afternoon to minimize interference with work schedules. For students who have satisfied all prerequisites, the Bachelor of Applied Science degree can be completed in two years of full-time attendance. Required upper division courses are offered just once a year, so it will be important to work with SSCC staff to ensure you are enrolling in the appropriate courses. Students admitted to the BAS program are expected to take at least two core classes per quarter.

Who should apply for the BAS in Hospitality Management?
If you have two years of college or an associate’s degree, especially in a technical field such as culinary arts or business, and are interested in furthering your career or advancing your knowledge in your field, this program is for you. Current workers in the industry with some college should also contact the college to find out how they could become eligible to apply.

Can I take courses without being admitted to the program?
Students who have not been formally admitted to the program may register for courses only with permission from the faculty advisor.

What are the program outcomes?
The technical core education requirements of the BAS degree in Hospitality Management are designed fulfill a set of desired learning outcomes for the technical education of a hospitality management undergraduate in the United States in the 21st century. Students completing the BAS in Hospitality Management should be able to:

• Read and analyze financial statements and budgets
• Demonstrate specific hospitality industry accounting skills
• Describe a hospitality business philosophy
• Utilize computer technology
• Describe the building of a brand positioning statement
• Demonstrate expertise in hospitality sales and marketing
• Demonstrate confidence in leveraging Internet marketing
• Demonstrate a competency in understanding and executing human resource; policy and practices consistent with organization objectives and third party regulatory entities
• Demonstrate knowledge in personal skills as it pertains to the hospitality industry including professional business etiquette and ethics
• Apply basic principles of management and leadership
• Recognize diversity of cultural influences and values
• Manage and implement daily operations of a hospitality enterprise
• Understand and apply basic principles of business law and ethics

Is there a required sequence for courses that I should take?
Your program advisor will help you design a program of study that will help you get the most benefit from each course.

What are all the courses that will be offered through the program?
Please see the program requirements sheets that are available in this packet or on SSCC’s web site. You should discuss your specific career and advising plans with a program advisor.

What days and times of the week will the classes be offered?
South knows that its students are busy and  often can only attend school part time, or need to work while attending school.  The BAS class schedule is conducive to the working student lifestyle as some the classes are offered onsite, online and a few are a hybrid of both. Each quarter varies, but currently the class meets Tuesday and Thursday 12-4:20 pm. Our students love this schedule  as it allows for them to continue working and learning all at the same time!

How do I apply for admission?
Admission to the BAS in Hospitality Management is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as the number of qualified applicants may exceed the number of available enrollment spaces. Preference is given to earlier applications. Please use the application form and follow the directions enclosed in this packet or download the information from the BAS web site. Please note, the admissions process is different for international students, so please contact the International Programs office at (206) 764-5360.

What does the program cost?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $35 to apply to the program. Tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is as follows: 10-18 credits $1453. For more than 18 credits the student will pay $137.49 per credit (this does not include parking fees, student identification card fee etc).

Will Eligible Students Be Able to Receive Financial Aid for the BAS?
Yes! Students pursuing the BAS will be eligible for federal, state and institutional grant funds, such as the Pell Grant, WA State Need Grant, South Seattle Community College Grant, Educational Opportunity Grant and work study. To determine whether you are eligible for financial aid you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Find out more information about financial aid.

Will eligible students be able to receive SSCC scholarships?
Yes! There are four scholarships available that will pay for a year of full-time enrollment. Please see the Foundation web page or contact SSCC’s Foundation Office for details at (206) 764-5809.

I am an International Student, am I eligible to enter the program?
Yes. Interested International Students should contact SSCC’s International Programs office at (206) 764-5360 or visit the International Programs web page.

How will the internship work?
The internship requires 1,000 hours of industry experience prior to graduation. We will consider any appropriate work experience after high school toward the 1,000-hour goal. Many local organizations are interested in providing paid internships for students.

What if I have relevant experience that I think is equivalent to some courses?
You may be able to earn credit for prior learning and/ or work experience for some management courses through a number of different options, such as challenging a course by successful completion of a challenge exam, or demonstration of certification in a relevant area such as accounting, business or hospitality. When you are admitted to the program, your program advisor will review your transcripts and experience with you and discuss the options available.

What if I have two years of college but not a technical associate’s degree?
You will be eligible for provisional admission. Many of your existing general education courses will count toward the upper-division general education requirements. You may have to make up some lower-division work, for example, by attending a condensed program leading to the A.A.S.-T degree in Business Information Technology. Most students in this situation should still be able to complete their coursework within two years. When you are admitted to the program, your program advisor will review your transcripts with you and discuss the options available.

What if I am currently enrolled but have not yet completed my two-year degree?
You are still eligible to apply if you plan to complete your two-year degree by the time classes begin for the B.A.S. at the end of September. You should apply now.

I have some unanswered questions – Who should I contact?
If you still have questions, please contact Cynthia Calderon, BAS Hospitality Management Coordinator. Phone:(206) 768-6783, Email: ccalderon@sccd.ctc.edu