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SFA Home / Bulletin / College of Liberal and Applied Arts

Applied Arts and Sciences

James O. Standley, Coordinator

Program Information

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree is designed for people who are pursuing a vocational-technical specialization and desire a bachelor’s degree. Normally, students admitted to this program will fall within one of the following categories:

1. Students who have completed part or all of a community college career and technical program.
2. Students who have been out of school for a number of years and have developed vocational-technical competencies equivalent to a community college program.
3. Beginning college students who need to complete a specialization during the first two years for employment.
4. Vocational-technical teachers who desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

The program provides for general education and professional development courses to be added to the area of specialization to provide a well-rounded sequence of studies. Semester hour credit for prior learning experience and/or exhibited competency is permissible in both Academic Foundations and Academic Specialization. Anyone interested in this degree should contact the dean, College of Liberal and Applied Arts.

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Typical Degree Program

1. General Education: 45-49 hrs.
2. Area of Specialization
   Vocational/Technical up to: 36-48 hrs.
3. Professional Development
   (Gerontology Example): 24-36 hrs.
   SOC 137, 305, 331, 363, 370, 400(6), 430, PSY 390
4. Electives: 0-15 hrs.
   Total for Degree 120 hrs.

No more than 30 hours total may come from courses in the College of Business.

Areas of Specialization

Areas of specialization that may be completed at a community college include, but are not limited to, the following:

Technical and Industrial Occupations

• Automotive Technology
• Drafting
• Engine Technology
• Machine Shop
• Petroleum Technology
• Printing Technology
• Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
• Technical Illustration
• Aviation Technology

Allied Health Occupations

• Dental Hygiene
• Respiratory Therapy
• Dental Technology
• Human Services
• Radiology
• Laboratory Technology
• Nursing

Areas of specialization that may be completed with a combination of courses at a community college and existing courses at SFA include, but are not limited to, the following:

Technical and Industrial Occupations

• Agriculture Technology
• Forest Technology
• Electricity
• Rehabilitation

Allied Health Occupations

• Nursing
• Speech and Hearing
• Health and Safety
• Rehabilitation

Public Service Occupations

• Criminal Justice
• Gerontology
• Public Administration
• Social Welfare

Courses in Applied Arts and Sciences (AAS)

101.	Beginning Keyboarding – Three semester hours. Development of typewriting skill for use in business and personal communication. Lab fee $10.
475.	Independent Study – 1-3 semester hours. Directed independent study including in-depth research, reading and writing on an approved topic. Prerequisites: Overall GPA of 2.5 or better and consent of the instructor. May be completed only once.
495.	Professional Internship – Three-six semester hours. Minimum of 20 hours per week for 15 weeks in an approved work setting utilizing professional development skills and knowledge. Work experience supervised by faculty adviser. Applies to Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree only.
496.	Occupational Internship – Three-six semester hours. Minimum of 20 hours per week for 15 weeks in work setting where student can utilize his/her academic specialization. Supervision by both employer and faculty adviser. May be approved for additional six hours. Applies to Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree only.

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