Applied Arts & Sciences

Career potential

The bachelor of applied arts and sciences degree at the University of North Texas will develop your interdisciplinary interest in social sciences for use in business, industry, technology or public service. A major in applied arts and sciences combines vocational, technical or applied specialized course work with general education courses for a degree individually oriented to your career goals. The program's flexibility appeals to transfer students, returning students and older students who have accrued a significant number of credit hours.

A bachelor's degree may help you advance in your career after receiving an associate's degree or training at a community college in aviation technology, electronics, nursing, paralegal work, paramedic work, police science, respiratory therapy, social welfare or other professional or technical fields.

By majoring in applied arts and sciences, you may apply some of the credit hours you receive for your associate's degree or training toward your bachelor's degree.

Alumni of the program have careers in business, industry and public service. One graduate combined paramedic training with courses in business, criminal justice, and emergency administration and planning to prepare for a career in law enforcement. Another graduate, who combined business and marketing courses with courses in applied economics and criminal justice, was selected for managerial training with a major retailer and now heads an entire department.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in applied arts and sciences

As an applied arts and sciences major, you will take courses from at least two areas in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. You may choose from anthropology, applied economics, behavior analysis, criminal justice, emergency administration and planning, gerontology, public administration, rehabilitation studies, social work, sociology and volunteer management. Some courses are offered evenings, weekends and online.

You will need to have an occupational specialization. If you have not completed an occupational specialization through a community college, you can create one by completing at least 21 hours of course work in one area of study at UNT.

The faculty members in the departments of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service are respected professionals in their fields and excellent teachers. Many conduct research and service activities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

You may be eligible for scholarships through your specific areas of study. Check with your advisor for details.

Getting hands-on experience

Internships in your intended career will be available to you through departments in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. For example, if you are taking courses in rehabilitation studies, you may intern with an alcohol and drug treatment center or a community mental health agency. If you want a career in law enforcement, you may be placed in a probation office.

You also may gain hands-on experience through departments or centers at UNT, including the Department for Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions; the Center for Public Service; and the University Center for Economic Development and Research.

UNT's office of Cooperative Education and Internships can also be a valuable resource when seeking an internship.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

You may declare a major in applied arts and sciences upon enrolling at UNT. The applied arts and sciences program's staff works closely with many community and junior colleges in Texas, particularly those in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The collaboration will help ensure that the credit students receive for their occupational training can be used for the major.

Charting your path with academic advising

If you are interested in majoring in applied arts and sciences, you should schedule an appointment with the program advisor. Once you declare applied arts and sciences as your major, the advisor will help you select courses necessary to achieve your degree. The advising office is in Chilton Hall, Room 289.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.