The BAS degree is an approved degree, having received the approval of the Academic Vice President, the Council of Deans, and the faculty of the university in 1992.  Furthermore, the degree was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and School in 1993 and was reaffirmed in the spring of 2001.

The BAS program was designed to assist adults in the timely completion of a Bachelor's degree by providing opportunities to receive college credit by:

• Classes taken at ACU
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Challenge exams taken at ACU
• Transfer credit from other accredited institutions
• Military and civilian training as evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE)
• Assessment of prior learning submitted through the portfolio process