Division of Multidisciplinary Programs

Joyce Johnston, director and associate dean
Ferguson Building, Room 273AA
Phone: (936) 468-6537
Fax: (936) 468-8240
P.O. Box 6082, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Email: mdp@sfasu.edu
Web: sfasu.edu/oidp

Faculty

Professors
Joyce Johnston, Anne Collins Smith, Owen Smith

Associate Professor
Ben Dixon

Assistant Professor
Kelly Salsbery

Lecturer
Paul Shockley

Objectives

The Division of Multidisciplinary Programs is home to a number of academic programs that encourage students to enrich their education through interdisciplinary research and exploration. The programs housed here, all linked below, allow students the opportunity to broaden their undergraduate education and develop the ability to address complex social and cultural issues from a multifaceted perspective.

Writing-enhanced criteria: Students enrolled in the BAAS, BS in general studies, liberal studies or philosophy programs will be required to complete a set number of writing-enhanced contact hours. The required hours for each of the different degrees can be found in the degree description in the following pages. The general expectations of a writing enhanced course are as follows:

• Students will understand that the writing process is recursive and, consequently, focuses on active revision throughout the process. To evidence the revision process for the purpose of course evaluation, students may expect to submit pre-writing exercises and/or completed, revised assignments.
• Pre-writing assignments may include annotated bibliographies, abstracts or peer-response sessions, among other activities.
• Students will be expected to utilize the citation style required by their program (e.g. Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).

Pre-Professional Programs in Liberal and Applied Arts

Since the various professional schools have different requirements for entrance, pre-professional students should familiarize themselves with such requirements as quickly as possible. The pre-professional programs offered by the College of Liberal and Applied Arts are pre-law and pre-ministry.

Pre-Seminary Study
Kelly Salsbery, advisor
Boynton Building, Room 208D

The American Association of Theological Schools has issued a guide for those students planning to enter a graduate seminary. The association suggests that students take 90 semester hours, or approximately three-fourths of their college work, in the following areas: English, history, philosophy, natural sciences, social sciences, foreign language and religion. Suggested majors and minors are English, history and philosophy.

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

William Harris, coordinator
Ferguson Building, Room 273AA
Phone: (936) 468-6537
Fax: (936) 468-8240
E-mail: baas@sfasu.edu
Web: sfasu.edu/oidp

The BAAS is unique among all other degrees at SFA in that it allows students to apply non-academic credit to the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Credits earned through community college vocational or technical programs, military training, and occupational licensure or certification are generally not accepted as college credit hours in traditional bachelor’s degree programs. However, after evaluating appropriate documentation (see Eligibility and Documentation below), a BAAS advisor may apply these credits to the degree, providing a shorter route to completing a bachelor’s degree than many traditional programs. Students who hold an associate degree in a technical field are particularly well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the BAAS.

Eligibility and Documentation

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to be considered for admission to the BAAS program. Normally, students admitted to this program will fall within one of the following categories:

1. Those students who have earned all or a substantial part of an associate degree that included technical credit, such as courses in respiratory therapy, graphic arts, welding, etc. Transcripts from the junior or community college will provide sufficient documentation to verify eligibility.
2. Those students who have been out of school for a number of years and have developed vocational-technical competencies equivalent to a community college program. Documentation necessary to determine eligibility for BAAS credit may include, but is not limited to, a certificate of completion, a letter from a supervisor certifying training hours completed toward certification or licensure, and a description of training sessions with hours required to complete each. If the learning experience occurred outside of a training program related to professional licensure or certification, the student must submit an occupational portfolio.
3. Those students who are veterans or are currently serving in the military and have acquired specialized training as part of their service. (Military transcripts will need to be submitted to the Office of Admissions for evaluation.)

Is the BAAS program for you?

The BAAS is NOT designed to accommodate students seeking teacher certification while completing the bachelor’s degree. Coursework in elementary or secondary education is not normally used in the BAAS.

The BAAS is NOT normally intended to prepare students for graduate or professional school. Students who plan to apply to law school, medical school or graduate programs in academic disciplines should consult with an SFA advisor before applying for the BAAS program.

Many BAAS applicants also are eligible for the SFA Community College Transfer Scholarship program. Contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

To Apply to the BAAS program

f you think you meet eligibility criteria for the BAAS, the following steps are necessary to be admitted to the program.

• Apply for admission to SFA.
• Upon being admitted to the university, you must submit a BAAS application for admission and documentation of eligibility to the BAAS program director. BAAS applications are available online at sfasu.edu/oidp/100.asp.
• Allow four to six weeks for your materials to be reviewed and eligibility determined. If you are accepted into the BAAS program, you will be contacted to arrange an appointment for advising and degree planning.
• Deadlines for admission into the BAAS program are July 31 for fall semesters, Dec. 1 for spring semesters and April 1 for summer semesters.

Send all BAAS materials to:
Division of Multidisciplinary Programs
P.O. Box 6082, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Phone: (936) 468-6537
Fax: (936) 468-8240
Email: baas@sfasu.edu

Programs

• Applied Arts and Sciences, BAAS
• General Studies, BS
• Liberal Studies, BA
• Medical Humanities, BA
• Medical Humanities, BS
• Philosophy, BA

• Philosophy, Major

• Philosophy Concentration
• Religious Studies Concentration

• Film Studies Minor
• International Studies, Minor
• Latin American Studies, Minor
• Leadership, Minor
• Philosophy Minor
• Religious Studies Minor
• Social Sciences, Minor
• Women’s and Gender Studies, Minor

• Applied Ethics Certificate
• Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate