Program strengthens Louisiana’s skilled workforce through stackable credentials and industry alignment
BOSSIER CITY, LA – Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) is proud to announce the launch of its newest degree program, the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Technical Studies, which officially began this fall following approval by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Board of Supervisors on April 9, 2025.
This innovative degree pathway allows students to build upon hands-on technical training to earn a two-year associate degree while gaining multiple workforce-ready credentials along the way.
The AAS in Technical Studies brings together four of BPCC’s high-demand Technical Diploma programs — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician (Natchitoches campus), Electrician Technology (Many campus), Industrial Manufacturing Technology (Natchitoches campus), and Welding (Natchitoches and Many campuses) — into comprehensive pathways that blend technical mastery with academic depth. These programs are designed to meet the growing workforce needs of Northwest Louisiana, particularly in manufacturing, construction, and industrial maintenance sectors.
Within each pathway, students will progress through a series of stackable credentials, earning Career and Technical Certificates (CTCs), Certificates of Technical Studies (CTS), Technical Diplomas (TDs), and ultimately the Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies. Along the way, students complete industry-based credentials (IBCs) recognized by employers statewide, ensuring every graduate leaves BPCC with verifiable, hands-on skills aligned with Louisiana’s workforce priorities.
“This program exemplifies BPCC’s mission to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Dr. Holly French-Hart, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness. “By integrating academic coursework with real-world, industry-driven training, we are helping our students move from classrooms to careers with confidence, credentials, and a clear path forward.”
The AAS in Technical Studies supports the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Louisiana Prospers plan and underscores BPCC’s role in expanding educational access across our service region.
“BPCC continues to align its programs with the needs of employers throughout Northwest Louisiana,” said Joseph Brownlee, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. “The Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies not only empowers students to earn more as they learn more, but also strengthens our region’s economy by producing a workforce-ready population equipped with the skills, certifications, and drive to lead Louisiana’s economic future.”
For more information or to apply, visit bpcc.edu/STEM.