May 21, 2025  
2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
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2025-2026 University Catalog

Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.A.S.

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The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences program is a post-professional degree completion program designed to allow individuals who have received an Associate of Applied Arts (A.A.A.) or Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degree at another institution to complete a bachelor-level degree, while transferring certain credits obtained to Texas Wesleyan University to fulfill specified requirements for this degree plan. Applied coursework transferred to Texas Wesleyan as a part of this program may not be applicable to any other degree program offered by the University.

Eligible students with an A.A.A. or A.A.S. from U.S. community colleges and universities, or with equivalent two or three-year degrees from a non-US institution, can complete the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree at Texas Wesleyan University. The degree completion program is designed so that candidates may successfully complete the 120 credit hour program on a full-time basis in approximately two years or on a part-time basis in approximately three to four years, depending upon the pace at which the student chooses to take required courses. The time limit for the completion of the degree is ten years.

Students who do not complete the B.A.A.S. program, and wish to pursue another degree at Texas Wesleyan University, must meet all academic requirements for the degree being sought. Applied course credits transferred to the University, which were taken as a part of an A.A.A. or A.A.S. degree curriculum and applied to meet requirements of the B.A.A.S. degree, may be used to meet requirements of another degree plan only if they meet existing University standards and requirements for the transferability of credits from another institution. The determination of the transferability of any course credit will be made by the University Registrar.

In order to be eligible for admission to the B.A.A.S. program, students must hold an A.A.A. or A.A.S. degree or an equivalent minimum of a terminal two-year degree or the equivalent of two years’ transferrable coursework from a non-US institution of higher education in a specific field of study (55 hours’ minimum credit). Students holding an Associate of Applied Arts or Applied Sciences degree or international students with a focus in any of the following areas will not be deemed eligible to participate in the B.A.A.S. degree program: Airframe Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive Mechanics, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Heating and Air Conditioning, or Welding.

Enrollment in this program is limited to space availability. Qualifying students will be enrolled in the program based upon a first-come, first-served basis.

Total Hours (120)

General Education Curriculum Course Requirements

General Education Curriculum (36 Hours)

The General Education Core (GEC) is divided into two categories: Foundational Courses (18 Hours) and Pillar Courses (18 Hours minimum).

  • A student must complete a minimum of 36 hours between foundational courses and pillar courses.

  • Students must complete at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics.

  • Foundational courses are meant to be 1000-level courses that provide the student with college-level skills in communication, wellness, and analytical and quantitative reasoning.

  • Pillar courses are meant to provide a student with flexibility to explore different interests prior to the beginning the major program.

Foundational Courses (18 Hours)

English Composition (6 Hours)
Speech (3 Hours)
Wellness (3 Hours)
Mathematics (3 Hours)

Choose one (1) of the following courses:

Note:
  • MAT 1304  is acceptable for all programs in the School of Arts and Sciences except for the programs in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics. 
  • MAT 1304   is acceptable for all programs in the School of Education.
  • MAT 1304   is not acceptable for any program in the School of Business and Professional Programs.
Science (4 Hours)

Pillar Courses (18 Hours)

In addition to the Foundational Courses, the student completes at least two courses in each pillar.

  • A student must complete a minimum of 36 hours between foundational courses and pillar courses.

  • Students must complete at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics across the GEC.

  • Since each course applies to two pillars, it is possible for the student to begin to focus on aquiring skills and content that prepare them for their major. It will also be possible for a student to use the remaining GEC courses to explore areas of interest that lie outside their major pathway. This provides the student with opportunities to consider a minor or second major.

Pillar One: Communication and Interpersonal Skills

In addition to the 18 hours required for the Foundation courses, students must complete additional courses within the Pillars requirements.

These courses should be chosen outside of those that have already been taken to fulfill the Foundation requirement.

Pillar Two: Technology and Problem Solving

In addition to the 18 hours required for the Foundation courses, students must complete additional courses within the Pillars requirements. 

These courses should be chosen outside of those that have already been taken to fulfill the Foundation requirement.

Pillar Three: Ethical Leadership

In addition to the 18 hours required for the Foundation courses, students must complete additional courses within the Pillars requirements. 

These courses should be chosen outside of those that have already been taken to fulfill the Foundation requirement.

Pillar Four: Democratic Citizenship and Wellness in a Diverse Society

In addition to the 18 hours required for the Foundation courses, students must complete additional courses within the Pillars requirements. 

These courses should be chosen outside of those that have already been taken to fulfill the Foundation requirement.

Major Requirements

Courses completed for each Discipline Focus must be in any one prefix (for example, REL, SOC, ENG, etc.) at the 3000-4000 level. Students must complete 15 hours of general education curriculum courses prior to enrolling in upper level courses. All existing University prerequisites apply to all courses. The credential awarded under this program is a “Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences in Interdisciplinary Studies,” but student transcripts will indicate the areas of Focus pursued.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 hours in the focus areas.

Subtotal (12-18)

Discipline Focus I

  • All courses at 3000-4000 level*, in a single prefix, and completed at Texas Wesleyan University.

Subtotal (12-18)

Discipline Focus II

  • All courses at 3000-4000 level*, in a single prefix, and completed at Texas Wesleyan University.

Advanced Electives

If a student is unable to complete 18 hours in each discipline focus, she/he may complete advanced electives. All elective courses must be at the 3000-4000 level*, except with special permission from an academic division Dean and the Chair of the Department offering the course sought to be included as an elective, but in no instance will courses taken at any institution other than Texas Wesleyan University be used to meet requirements of this Elective category.

*Prerequisites for upper-level courses must be met prior to enrollment in courses.

Applied Elective (Transfer Coursework)

Any deficiency in the number of transferable Applied Elective credits may be made up by a student admitted into the B.A.A.S. program through taking general elective courses at Texas Wesleyan University. Course credits classified as general elective credits may not also be used to meet GEC or other requirements under this degree plan.

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