Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences: Concentrations

The purpose of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) is to offer students with formal training in a vocational-technical studies area the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree without the significant loss of credits that normally occurs when pursuing a traditional degree. This program is especially appropriate for graduates of an Associate of Applied Science program. The degree is designed to afford both academic and professional depth to individuals who possess recognized competence in an occupational or technical field. It is designed to offer flexibility that will permit tailoring the program to the student's background and educational objectives.

BAAS Degree Requirements

The student must complete a baccalaureate degree plan (120 semester hours minimum) consisting of 36 hours in residence and transfer credit which includes the following:

1. General Education, Prerequisites and Electives (Minimum of 42 semester hours)
   This component is made up of freshman and sophomore-level courses which meet each of the criteria identified by the university as important aspects of a general education listed in the General Education Requirements.
2. Area of Specialization (18-42 semester hours)
   Credits toward the area of specialization may be earned from regionally accredited junior or community colleges and vocational or technical schools; credits may also be earned through armed forces training when that work can be equated to college credit.Specialization hours must be completed prior to enrollment in a BAAS degree plan.
3. Professional Development (36 semester hours)
   The courses taken in this area are to be chosen to provide academic depth and breadth to the area of specialization and, in addition, afford substantive developmental knowledge in the student's professional career goals. The component focuses on areas of learning directly related to upward mobility and further extends a student's knowledge, skill and expertise. The professional development sequence of 36 semester hours will be selected from Business, Criminology, Early Childhood Education (non-certification), Fire and Emergency Services Administration, Healthcare Services Administration, Information Technology, Interdisciplinary Studies (non-certification), Psychology, or Sociology. The professional sequence will be tailored to each student's needs.

Candidates for the BAAS degree must complete a minimum of 36 hours in residence.

Students who choose the business emphasis of the BAAS degree must meet the same lower-division (field of study) course requirements as students pursing the BBA degree.

Peace Officers

Peace officers in the state of Texas wishing to pursue a BAAS degree and who do not have previous college vocational/technical training may use their T-COLE academic hours to qualify them for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degrees.  The hours utilized in the en bloc credits area of the degree will be determined by the number of T-COLE academic hours divided by 50, with the maximum allowable being 18 semester credit hours of en bloc credits.

Firefighters

Firefighters in the state of Texas wishing to pursue a BAAS degree and who hold Texas Commission of Fire Protection (TCFP) firefighter certification and/or State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association (SFFMA) master firefighter certification may use their TCFP/SFFMA/TEEX certification as en bloc credits to qualify them for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degrees.  The hours utilized in the en bloc credit are of the degree will be determined by the number of held certifications.  Determination of credit hours using certifications will follow the WECM guidelines, with the maximum allowable being 42 semester credit hours of en bloc credits.