Transfer Articulation: Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Students who have majored in a career and technology / vocational / technical program at a community college or junior college and decide to seek a baccalaureate [4 year] degree at SHSU may review the requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree. To be eligible for the BAAS degree program, a student must have completed and received an AAS degree in a technical area, and at least 36 hours of coursework must be in the technical area to be eligible for full admissions into the BAAS degree program. Students may transfer up to 30 hours of core academic classes from an accredited community college and additional hours from a university. All Associates of Applied Science [AAS] , Associates of Occupational Studies [AOS], Associates of Applied Business [AAB], Associates of Specialized Technology [AST] degrees 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). degrees from Texas community colleges, and most from out-of-state community colleges, are eligible.  Approved AAS degree programs include (but are not limited to):

Accounting, Agricultural Engineering, Automotive, Biotechnology, Child Development & Family Studies, CNC, Computer Graphic Arts, Computer Information, Cosmetology, Diagnostic Culinary Arts, Medical Imaging, Diesel, Drafting, Early Childhood Development, Emergency Medical Services Professions, Engineering, Diesel Mechanics, General Business Administration, Geographical Information Systems, Health Information, Human Services, HVAC, Industrial, Interactive Media, Interior Design, Interpreter Training, Instrumentation, Management, Marine Mechanics, Marketing, Motorcycle Mechanics, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Paralegal Studies, Physical Therapist Assistant, Process Operating, Professional Office Technology, Respiratory Care, Vet Tech, Welding and many others.

In addition to AAS, AOS, AAB, and AST degrees the following will also be reviewed for acceptance into the BAAS degree program:

• A documented National Union apprenticeship and five years of documented work experience; or,
• A documented career portfolio of 2000 or more hours of national, state or business/industry professional development and ten years of documented work experience.

Contact the BAAS Coordinator for details.

Students may transfer to SHSU at any time as long as they meet SHSU's admission requirements. Students close to completing the requirements for the associate degree are encouraged to consider the potential advantages of completing the associate degree. One way to accomplish this is to transfer courses taken at SHSU back to the community college to complete degree requirements. Properly selected courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements at both institutions simultaneously. The applicant is encouraged to speak to an academic advisor familiar with the programs of all institutions involved to maximize the amount of transferable credit.

Department Contact: Dr. Doug Ullrich
Phone: (936) 294-1188
Email: dullrich@shsu.edu
Location: Pirkle Engineering Technology Building - Office 400

Most AAS, AOS, AAB, and AST degrees are acceptable.  Contact the BAAS Program Coordinator for clarification.

Transferability:

• 36 hours will be transferred in-block from the technical work-force course work
• 30 hours of core academic coursework are transferable into the SHSU core from community colleges and/or universities.
• All coursework completed at a university will transfer

To complete the BAAS degree program students must:

• complete the core of classes with at least 12 hours of core from SHSU or another university; and                                                           
• complete a minor area of study of at least 18 hours with at least 42 hours of advanced [3-4000 level] coursework; and 
• The advanced classes taken in the minor area of study also count as advanced classes to reach the 42 hours of required advanced courses.
• An internship or field experience is required for the BAAS degree; but, if an internship or field experience is required for the AAS. AOS, AAB or AST degree this may be waived; and 
• Students with a National Union apprenticeship or a career portfolio will not be required to complete a field experience, internship or mentorship

The most popular minor areas of study are: Accounting, Agricultural Business, Agricultural Engineering Technology, Animal Science, Construction Management, Criminal Justice, Early Care and Education, Equine Science, Design Graphics, Engineering Technology, General Business Administration, History, Management, Marketing, Plant & Soil Science [Horticulture], and Psychology. Many other minor areas of study are available.

BAAS students are recommended to be advised by the BAAS Coordinator each semester.

NOTE: The BAAS degree may be completed online if the minor area of study coursework is offered online.  Common online minor areas of study are: General Business, Psychology and Criminal Justice, but others are available. 

The Core Curriculum at Sam Houston State University (to be used by all incoming students as of fall 2014) contains 42 semester credit hours, encompassing nine component areas. Each component area has a minimum credit hour requirement and a selection of specific courses that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The Core Curriculum details Sam Houston State University courses and their Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) equivalents for college transfer students which comprise SHSU’s core curriculum.

Many SHSU disciplines including the sciences, business, and education require specific courses from the SHSU core as degree specific graduation requirements. To minimize cost and time to complete degree requirements always select SHSU/transfer core courses specified as degree requirements in your intended major.  If you have not decided on a major, select core courses supporting your intended area of academic concentration.

Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major. Selection of major-specified core courses reduces the total number of hours required for graduation.

If you do not see a Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) mapping a specific core course to your transfer institution, please go to Transfer Course Equivalency Guide and select your institution from the drop-down menu. The result will list all currently mapped transfer courses from your institution to SHSU courses.