Career and Technology Program: Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Coordinator: Dr. Douglas R. Ullrich, (936) 294-1188

1. Present evidence of the development of an area of technical specialty with an Associate of Applied Sciences [AAS] or an Associates of Occupational Studies [AOS], or an Associates of Applied Business [AAB], or an Associates of Specialized Technology [AST] degree from Texas community colleges, junior colleges and trade schools, and most from out-of-state community colleges, junior colleges and trade schools are eligible.  Approved transferrable AAS, AOS, AAB, and AST degrees programs must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and/or the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE);  - OR - 
   1. Sixty-six semester hours (plus four semester hours of activity physical education) may be transferred from another educational institution.
      1. A maximum of 30 hours of academic courses will transfer from a community or junior college; and,
      2. 36 hours of technical work-force class will transfer in-block.
   2. The specialty title of the AAS, AOS, AAB or AST degree must be posted to the transcript for approval for entry into the BAAS program.
   3. Students MUST be advised by the program coordinator to have transcripts reviewed and a declaration of major/minor submitted before full acceptance into the BAAS program is finalized.
2. Present evidence of completing a documented National Union apprenticeship and five years of documented work experience; - OR -
   1. The student will prepare a portfolio including;
      1. National Union apprenticeship documentation; and.
      2. Proof of five years of documented work experience in the trades; and,
      3. Three letters of recommendation from former employers or supervisors verifying prior work experiences in the trades.
3. Present evidence of completion of 2000 or more hours of national, state or business/industry professional development and ten years of documented work experiences.
   1. The student will prepare a career portfolio including;
      1. Proof of professional development from national, state or business/industry; and,
      2. Proof of ten years of documented work experience in the trades; and,
      3. Three letters of recommendation from former employers or supervisors verifying prior work experiences in the trades; and,
      4. Three letters of recommendation or confirmation that professional development experiences are factual and valid.
4. Complete a baccalaureate degree plan from residence and transfer credit which contains a minimum of 120 semester credit hours and includes the following:
   1. Forty-two semester hours of advanced level credits (courses taken at the junior-senior [3-4000] level at a senior institution).
   2. A minor area of study in a field related to the student's technical specialty or meeting a career goal must be selected. Most any minor offered may be selected but if the selected minor does not require twenty-one advanced hours the student must take extra advanced electives to reach the required 42 advanced hours.
   3. A nine hour internship is required if some type of field experience was not required within the technical program. If the minor department does not offer an internship, the Career and Technology Program will administer an internship or mentorship. This internship or mentorship will be part of the 42 advanced hour requirement.
   4. A total of 42 advanced hours (3000-4000 level classes) must be taken. These hours may come in part from the minor and required internship or mentorship. Additional elective hours will be required to complete this requirement.
   5. Complete 42 hours in general education [core], at least 12 hours of core must be taken at Sam Houston State University.  Refer to section on core requirements (may include up to 30 hours of core academics from community college courses - see program coordinator for clarification).

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.)

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The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Conservation Biology, Minor in Early Childhood Education and Minor in Wildlife Ecology. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

This degree program is administered by the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the College of Science and Engineering Technology.

Internships or Work-Based Mentorship

An internship or work-based mentorship in career and technology is intended to provide experience-based learning opportunities for students in their respective discipline of study. These internships are limited to students seeking a BAAS degree or for students with special approval. Students generally seek an internship or work-based mentorship experience at the end of their sophomore or junior year. The course identified for internship or work-based mentorship is CATM 4360 (or minor field internship) and may be arranged through student contact with providers or through departmental faculty, staff announcements, or career services postings. All internships or work-based mentorships must receive prior departmental approval. Maximum credit for internship or work-based mentorship is nine (9) credit hours, with no more than 3 hours to be taken per semester.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BAAS is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Apply independent and team-working skills to accomplish objectives and meet deadlines in a variety of business settings.
• Demonstrate a work ethic and soft skills that are desirable of an employee. 
• Analyze situational aspects and engage in critical thinking skills to formulate and implement problem-solving techniques in agricultural management.
• Organize human, physical, and financial resources.
• Effectively communicate factual information, logically and concisely, orally as well as in written professional formats.[