Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, B.A.A.S.

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 B.A.A.S. 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 B.A.A.S. 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 B.A.A.S.

Eligibility and Documentation

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to be considered for admission to the B.A.A.S. 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 B.A.A.S. 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 B.A.A.S. program for you?

The B.A.A.S. 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 B.A.A.S.

The B.A.A.S. 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 B.A.A.S. program.

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

Degree Components (Total: 120 hours)

There are essentially three parts to the B.A.A.S. - the core curriculum, which provides academic foundations for all university students; the area of specialization, which is the equivalent of coursework in the major in a traditional degree program and is where non-academic credit is applied; and the professional development area, which takes the place of the minor in a traditional degree program and is intended to broaden the academic foundations of the student.