9

Specializations
$330

Per Credit Hr (subject to change)
1/13

Next Start Date

About the B.A.A.S

The University of North Texas (UNT) has partnered with Coursera to bring the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) undergraduate degree completion program fully online. The program courses are taught by UNT faculty and delivered on the Canvas learning management system.

Students must fulfill the university core curriculum requirements, complete the B.A.A.S unifying courses, and select three specializations to earn their bachelor’s degree. 

Is the B.A.A.S. right for you?

This unique degree-completion program was developed to help students with diverse backgrounds, including those who have prior college or military credit, earn an accredited bachelor’s degree in the most streamlined way possible. An estimated 35% of jobs in the U.S. require at least a bachelor’s degree, yet 36 million Americans have attended some college, but never completed their degree. The B.A.A.S. is an attainable and affordable option for transfer students from community colleges and technical institutions, veterans or active-duty military personnel, and other non-traditional students with college credit to complete their bachelor’s degree. Up to 84 hours of the 120 hours required for the BAAS degree may be transferred from other approved institutions*. At $330 per credit hour, the B.A.A.S. has one of the most affordable tuition rates among comparable programs.

*At least 30 hours must be taken from UNT. The degree also requires that 36 of the 120 hours are advanced level (from courses with a 3000 or 4000 prefix) and that at least 24 of these are taken from UNT. BAAS 3020 and 3000 are PREREQUISITE Courses for BAAS 4100. You must take BAAS 4100 in final semester. Academic Advisors will evaluate transfer credit for program completion.

Unifying Courses

Three B.A.A.S Unifying Courses are mandatory for all B.A.A.S students.
BAAS 3000 - Pathways to Civic Engagement

Promotes understanding of self in relation to theory and practice of civic engagement. Topics include the history of civic engagement and civil society, earning and spending social capital, voluntary sector engagement, trends in civic engagement in the U.S., and social issues. This course has a service learning requirement.

BAAS 3020 - Fundamentals of Inquiry and Discovery

Focuses on how to evaluate information and apply some of the methods commonly used by social scientists from a variety of disciplines to answer questions about social life. Topics include measuring concepts, determining the most appropriate method of data collection, constructing a survey instrument, selecting a sample, conducting basic data analysis, presenting findings and addressing the ethical and political issues associated with formal research.

BAAS 4100 - Managing a 21st Century Career
In this capstone experience, students will integrate knowledge gained through their core courses, technical backgrounds, and advanced focus areas as they develop a plan for engaging as professionals and citizens in a rapidly changing world. Skills in teamwork, social awareness, personal awareness, and critical thinking will be further honed as students make connections between knowledge areas and learn to match their skills to careers, now and in the future. They will work with challenging social and business issues, applying decision-making strategies as they develop effective recommendations for action. Students will explore personal branding as they develop their professional identity. Serves as the capstone course for the B.A.A.S. degree.
Outline of Major Requirements
Credit Hours Requirements (78 hrs) 
B.A.A.S. Unifying Courses (9 hrs) (Must earn C or better to receive credit)
3 BAAS 3020 Discovery & Inquiry*
3 BAAS 3000 Pathways to Civic Engagement*
3 BAAS 4100 Managing 21st Century Career* - Must Take in Final Semester
Professional Development Specialization (3 options / 12 Hrs each)
3 Varies with Specialization
3 Varies with Specialization
3 Varies with  Specialization
3 Varies with Specialization
Occupational Area (21 Hrs)
3 Varies with Occupational Area
3 Varies with Occupational Area
3 Varies with Occupational Area
3 Varies with Occupational Area
3 Varies with Occupational Area
3 Varies with Specialization
3 Varies with Specialization

Specializations

Students must select 3 specilizations for their degree plan.
Information Technology Specialization (12 hrs)

The IT Concentration prepares students for dynamic careers in the ever-evolving field of information technology. Through a mix of industry-recognized certifications and advanced coursework, graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in various IT roles and contribute to the success of their organizations.

Courses:

TEC 3260 - Web Authoring

Creation of web-based materials incorporating text, graphics, and multimedia elements. Emphasis on use of standards-based technologies for creating content for web-based delivery.

LTEC 4060 - Project Management and Applied Technology Performance Improvement

Explores the life cycle of defining, planning, executing and delivering a project. Students learn and apply the processes and methods of project planning, management and evaluation through a simulation activity. The use of technology applications is addressed to improve human performance.

INFO 4710 - Information Technology Management

Basic concepts of information and its role in an information society. Includes mechanisms of information processing, information transfer, and applications of computers and other information tools in various disciplines and fields.

Google IT Support Certificate through UNT Career Academy

Contact your Academic Advisor for more information.

Administration Specialization (12 hrs)

Study in how organizations are designed and properly managed in the 21st Century. Students will be well-versed in themes such as common organizational behavior, ethical practices, and management philosophy as they apply to both large (publicly traded corporations) and small businesses.

View the Administration Specialization Webinar Recording

Courses:

MGMT 3720 - Organizational Behavior

Individual behavior in formal organizations. Cases, lectures and experiential exercises in organizational culture, motivation, leadership, dynamics of power, perception and attribution, communication, decision making and performance, and individual differences.

MGMT 3820 - Management Concepts

Management philosophy; planning, organizing and controlling; entrepreneurial processes; organizational performance; structure and design. Includes an overview of organization theory and strategic management.

MGMT 3880 - Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

A study of ethical behaviors crucial to personal and corporate success in organizations. Codes of ethics, theoretical models and managerial behavior serve as the foundation to investigate ethics and, in turn, social responsibility associated with firm theory. Various stakeholder interest and demands are analyzed as an important theme during the course.

MGMT 4470 - Leadership

In-depth course on leadership. Students are provided practical tools and methods of leadership that apply to a variety of organizational structures. Students gain insights about their own personalities, skills, ethics, values and beliefs as they relate to leading others, and have the opportunity to discuss and debate a number of leadership topics.

Consumer Behavior Specialization (12 hrs)

Study in consumer behavior in connection with the purchasing, utilization, and arrangement of goods and services. Students will be well-versed in foundations of marketing practice, consumer behavior in a global context, and user consumption in retail hospitality, and entertainment industries.

Courses:

MDSE 2750 - Consumers in a Global Market

Cross-cultural comparisons using systems, human needs, and consumer behavior frameworks are integrated with critical, empirical and creative thinking processes to develop a global perspective that is sensitive to diverse consumers’ needs and preferences for products and services in a global market. This class helps students gather the tools necessary for full engagement in the undergraduate experience by having them examine their own value systems and compare and contrast them with other cultures’ in a consumption context. Requires students to think critically, articulate views, cultivate self-awareness, balance and an openness to change, and engage with others in thoughtful and well-crafted communication.

MKTG 3651 - Foundations of Marketing Practice

Survey of marketing concepts and practices and overview of the range of activities performed by marketing managers. Topics include the identification of market opportunities, strategic marketing planning, product/service development and management, price setting and management, establishing and managing distribution channels, and structuring promotional programs.

CMHT 3950 - Creating Consumer Experiences

Exploration of the dynamic merging of retail merchandising, hospitality, and entertainment industries to create total consumer experiences. Topics include evolution of consumption, symbolic consumption, ritual consumption, sensory consumption, consumer efficiency; entertainment, thematic, lifestyle and value experiences; branding, brand extension and strategic alliance; and global experiential retailing.

MKTG 4120 - Consumer Behavior

A survey of individual and organizational decision making in the acquisition, consumption and disposition of goods and services, with selected applications in market segmentation, marketing communications and marketing management. Topics include consumer and organizational behavior models and decision processes; internal influencing forces of motivation, perception, learning, personality, lifestyle and attitudes; external influencing forces of culture, subculture, demographic, social class, reference group and household.

Data Analytics Specialization (12 hrs)

Courses in the specialization provide an understanding of the underlying fundamental concepts of contemporary data analytics methods, as well as experience in obtaining, wrangling and learning from big data through machine learning and deep learning tools. Courses emphasize applications of theory and tools to solving real-world business and industry problems.

View the Data Analytics Specialization Webinar Recording

Courses:

ADTA 4130 - Data Analytics and Computational Statistics 1

Provides an overview of quantitative methods essential for analyzing data, with an emphasis on science and industry applications. Topics include identification of appropriate metrics and measurement methods, descriptive and inferential statistics, experimental design, parametric and non-parametric tests, simulation, and linear and logistic regression, categorical data analysis, and select unsupervised learning techniques. Standard and open source statistical packages are used to apply techniques to real-world problems.

ADTA 4230 - Data Analytics and Computational Statistics 2

Contemporary techniques of multivariate analysis, including association rules, classification methods, time series, text analysis and machine learning methods with an emphasis on applications in science and industry. Introduction to state-of-practice computational statistical and data analysis methods and tools.

ADTA 4240 - Principles of Data Structures, Harvesting and Wrangling

Introduction to collecting, wrangling, storing, managing, retrieving and processing datasets. Topics include fundamental concepts and techniques of data engineering, large-scale data harvesting, data wrangling methodologies, and storage and process architectures. Emphasizes applications and includes many hands-on projects.

ADTA 4340 - Methods for Discovery and Learning from Data

Introduction to contemporary methods for discovery and learning from data sets. Emphasizes applications of predictive and pattern recognition techniques in deriving insights and making decisions in business and science contexts. Topics complemented by hands-on projects using data discovery and statistical learning software.

Hospitality Specialization (12 hrs)

Students will examine service-driven management foundations including conflict mediation, ethics, event planning, budgeting, marketing, and workforce diversity.

Courses:

EDEM 3240 - Convention and Event Management

Analysis of the factors to be considered in the successful management of corporate and association meetings, conferences, conventions and special events. Topics include special event planning, budgeting, marketing, arrangements, international considerations and ethics.

HMGT 3860 - Foundations in Leading Hospitality Organizations & Talent

Introduction to motivation, leadership, communications, decision making, and leading people through effective management of human resources, ethics, social responsibility, and managing consumer experiences in the hospitality industry by examining service-driven management foundations.

PADM 4050 - Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

Introduces the fundamentals of non-litigation strategies for a variety of business, professional and personal settings. Learning and skills are developed through lecture, role playing, out-of-class assignments, case studies and negotiation simulations.

CMHT 4750 - Managing a Diverse Workforce

Workforce diversity provides strength in the current global business environment. Investigates the concepts, policies and practices facing professionals in the global workplace. Effective workplace interactions result when personnel hold a global perspective that incorporates an appreciation and understanding of human diversity. Personnel who perceive themselves as global employees are a critical element in business success. Managing a diverse workforce requires working effectively with people who vary by nationality, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, language, age, abilities and unique personal characteristics. This diverse workforce may be employed in one locale, region or nation, or it may span several countries or the world.

Media Innovation Specialization (12 hrs)

Addresses strategic communications, media management, public relations practices and journalism in an ever changing media industry. Students will study trends and implications that have helped propel and halt media innovation throughout history.

Courses:

JOUR 3200- Mass Communication Research Methods

Introduction to quantitative and qualitative methods used to study audiences, contents and effects of mass media, especially focusing on advertising and public relations communication and utilizing social science research skills and statistical analysis. Approaches include content analysis, survey research, focus groups and other experimental studies.

JOUR 3270 - Media Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Course provides an overview of the current and future state of media and what it takes to become an entrepreneur. Students will learn how to start a business in media, find customers and pitch a business idea.  

JOUR 4270 - Strategic Social Media

In a collaborative atmosphere, students explore strategic applications of a variety of social media platforms used for strategic communications and journalism. Students are challenged to bring new ideas to the classroom while adapting social media tools to traditional communications planning and measurement methods. Students with specific expertise/interests are encouraged to present to class.

JOUR 4280 - Media Management

Course introduces media management issues including leadership, management, marketing and budget. Students gain analytical tools to help understand the current state of media and to help develop new models for the future. Students read, discuss, listen, observe, analyze and make recommendations about how media has changed, what’s going on now and how it can be changed for the future. Students will also meet and discuss current issues and trends with media executives.

Organizational Supervision Specialization (12 hrs)

Study in how organizations are designed and properly supervised in the 21st Century. Students will be well-versed in organizational design and change, commonly accepted ethical behavior in business, production management, and mediation.

Courses:

PADM 3100 - Workplace Conflict

Review of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to address sources of conflict in the workplace. Examines procedures and benefits of arbitration, mediation, ombudspersons, minitrials, neutral fact-finding, and other alternatives to litigation-based conflict resolution. Trends in use and ethical/professional considerations are considered.

OPSM 3830 - Operations Management

Management of production emphasizing industrial enterprises; production objectives; design and improvement of processes, work methods, and physical facilities; use of measurements and standards; production planning and control; quality control; budgetary and cost control; materials management.

PADM 4050 - Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

Introduces the fundamentals of non-litigation strategies for a variety of business, professional and personal settings. Learning and skills are developed through lecture, role playing, out-of-class assignments, case studies and negotiation simulations.

MGMT 4860 - Organizational Design and Change

Organizational design is a primary management tool for organizing business processes and developing organizational capabilities. The course focuses on developing an understanding of the basics of organizational design, how to utilize organizational design principles to manage change, and how to keep the design aligned with the needs of the firm and the demands to which it must respond. The design and development effort includes study of organizational structures, the basic work patterns of the organization, organizational cultures, managerial roles, and the use of teams.

Social Wellness and Community Specialization (12 hrs)

Addresses societal concerns and the well-being of people to ensure they have equal access to resources, services and opportunities. Students will learn cause and effect of social problems in modern society, how social bases affect human behavior, and cross-cultural and historical patterns of different social institutions.

View the Social Wellness and Community Specialization Webinar Recording

Courses:

SOCI 1520 - Contemporary Social Problems

Conditions disruptive to society today, both those seen as problematic as a whole and those that violate the norms of special groups in society; includes population, poverty, minorities, crime, drugs, sexual deviance, mental illness, changing family patterns and violence.

SOCI 3000 - Sociology of Marriage and Family

Interpersonal dynamics of marriage and family life; role and influence of the family as both a powerful primary group and as a social institution in society; current status of families in the United States plus cross-cultural and historical patterns.

SOCI 3700 - Sociology of Religion

Review of the common sociological dimensions of all religions such as moral definitions, group membership and dynamics, prescribed ritual practices and definitions of the sacred. An examination of sociologists contributing to the field such as Durkheim and Weber. Includes a sociological analysis of selected major world religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.

SOCI 4540 - Race and Ethnic Minorities

Conditions and distribution of race and ethnic minorities; socio-psychological and cultural factors in race and ethnic relations; pattern of relations in the United States with emphasis on the Southwest and on social services.

Lean Distribution Processes Specialization (12 hrs)

Designed for aspiring professionals and forward-thinking leaders, this specialized program offers a deep dive into the core components that drive success in today's global businesses: Operations Management, Logistics, Purchasing, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies. The specialization in Lean Distribution Processes is not just an education—it's a career accelerator. Graduates will possess a unique blend of skills and knowledge, making them highly sought after in industries where efficiency, quality, and sustainability are paramount. Embrace the future of business with us and gain the skills to lead the charge in optimizing operational efficiencies.

View the Lean Distribution Processes Specialization Webinar Recording

Courses:

LSCM 3960- Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Analysis and design of domestic and international logistics systems. Topics include transportation, warehousing, inventory control, materials handling and packaging, and plant and warehouse locations within and between firms. Emphasis on concepts and practices that provide firms with a competitive advantage.

OPSM 3830- Operations Management

Management of production emphasizing industrial enterprises; production objectives; design and improvement of processes, work methods and physical facilities; use of measurements and standards; production planning and control; quality control; budgetary and cost control; materials management.

OPSM 4810-Purchasing and Materials Management

From original planning through delivery of finished products; purchasing, inventory control, receiving, storage, production control, traffic and materials handling.

OPSM 4850-Lean Manufacturing

Involves the study and application of Lean principles. Emphasis is placed on material flow analysis, process and continuous improvement techniques, along with employee development and empowerment as integral aspects of Lean manufacturing. Addresses not only Lean manufacturing techniques as applied throughout production processes, but also the application of Lean extending upstream in coordination with suppliers. The associated integrative concepts of Lean provide the framework for the course. 

 

Finish Your Degree at UNT

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from UNT creates a unique degree pathway for community college students, veterans, international learners, and other non-traditional students.

 

“At UNT, we recognize that not everyone can take the traditional path to a bachelor’s degree and strive to help students of all backgrounds and experiences succeed. We’re excited to bring our successful B.A.A.S. program to Coursera and offer students around the world the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and take advantage of the vast career opportunities this credential offers.”

Dr. Adam Fein, Vice President of Digital Strategy and Innovation & Chief Digital Officer at UNT