Casper College took a historic step to offer two valuable bachelor degrees on Aug. 21, 2026, when the Wyoming Community College Commission unanimously authorized the institution to begin the formal process of offering Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.
The authorization, granted under a Wyoming law passed in 2019, allows community colleges to offer applied baccalaureate degrees targeted to specific workforce needs. For Casper College, it opens the door to something the community has long sought: locally delivered four-year degrees that don’t require students to leave the region.
“This is a transformative moment for Casper College and the students we serve,” said Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College president. “For years, our community has expressed a need for accessible, four-year pathways right here in Casper. Today’s approval allows us to move forward with a plan that puts our students first by providing them the credentials they need to advance in their careers without having to leave the region.”
The road to this moment began more than a year ago, when the college launched a comprehensive review of workforce needs, student interest, and existing degree offerings across Wyoming. The result was a proposal focused on two high-demand areas: human services and agribusiness, neither of which is currently offered as a bachelor’s degree at any Wyoming community college.
The anticipated BAS in human services would address a critical shortage of mid-level managers and behavioral health professionals in central Wyoming, preparing graduates for roles in case management, crisis intervention, and nonprofit administration. The program would also position students for licensure as certified mental health workers or certified addiction practitioners and create a direct pipeline into UW-Casper’s social work and counseling programs. An advisory board is already in place to guide the program’s development.
The anticipated BAS in agribusiness would take a more applied approach than the University of Wyoming’s existing Bachelor of Science in agribusiness, combining practical field knowledge with managerial and entrepreneurial skills tailored to Wyoming’s agricultural economy.
While the University of Wyoming-Casper continues to offer a broad range of bachelor’s and graduate degrees on the Casper College campus, these new programs are specifically designed to be nonduplicative and fill gaps rather than compete with existing options.
Before the programs return to the WCCC for final state-level approval in October, they will be reviewed by the Academic Council, which is made up of academic vice presidents from all Wyoming community colleges, and the Executive Council, which includes all college presidents. This is the same review process the college follows for all new program proposals.
Once state approval is secured, Casper College will simultaneously submit a substantive change request to the Higher Learning Commission for institutional accreditation as a baccalaureate-granting institution. The college anticipates completing that accreditation process by February 2027.
“Our goal is to provide a frictionless path for students who have already earned their associate degrees and are looking for that next step,” said Kevin Hartshorn, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs. “These programs are operationally ready, utilizing our existing state-of-the-art facilities and expert faculty to meet the evolving needs of our local employers.”
For local employers, the benefit is equally significant. BAS graduates bring advanced leadership skills, specialized credentials, and the applied expertise employers are actively seeking. Perhaps most importantly, they are graduates who chose to stay in Casper to build their careers and contribute to the local economy.
If the accreditation timeline holds, Casper College expects to begin enrolling its first cohort of BAS students for the fall 2027 semester. More information will be available at caspercollege.edu as the process moves forward.
At a Glance:
- Event Focus: Authorization for two new Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in human services and agribusiness.
- Logistics: Authorized Friday, Aug. 21, 2026; Accreditation expected February 2027; Enrollment begins fall 2027 semester.
- Statistics: Two new nonduplicative programs focused on regional workforce needs.
