Bismarck State College will begin offering a Bachelor of Applied Science degree (BAS) in Energy Management in January of 2008. The program will be offered online.

The BAS degree is designed to educate energy workers to move into supervisory and management positions. Those who have received an Associate in Applied Science degree in one of BSC's energy education programs are eligible to apply for the BAS. These programs are Power Plant Technology, Process Plant Technology, Electric Power Technology, Nuclear Power Technology, and Electrical Transmission Systems Technology.

Approximately 30 individuals will be accepted for the program's first semester.

Since this is a management program, it will be part of BSC’s Business Department. Courses will include general education and general management courses, such as organizational behavior, human resources, and accounting. Energy-specific courses will include energy economics, managing energy facilities, energy production and the environment, government regulations and others. BSC faculty and faculty from other North Dakota University System institutions will teach the upper level management courses.

Dr. Wayne Boekes, provost, said BSC began researching the possibilities for providing this program after the college's industry partners and energy technology students and graduates requested it. "Our students and graduates, who live and work throughout the United States, want to continue their education at BSC,” he said. "They have developed a relationship and a loyalty to BSC."

"Energy education is a niche program for BSC, and with the energy industry facing large numbers of retirements in the next five to 10 years in technical and in management areas, it only makes sense that BSC would provide training in both areas," Dr. Boekes said.

In November 2006, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education gave approval to Bismarck State College to offer the four-year degree program. For additional information, contact Tammy Heupel, Coordinator of BAS in Energy Mangement, 701-224-2484, Tammy.Heupel@bsc.nodak.edu.