Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)
Applied Business Technology - Legal Studies
A Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) - Applied Business Technology - Legal Studies degree completion program is offered online by the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. A student obtains this degree 100% online. The BAAS degree is for students with technical education and/or training from accredited academic schools, colleges, institutes, service schools or equivalent entities. The BAAS-APBT is an inverted degree program building on an associate’s degree. Students complete their general education core for their bachelor's along with a professional development sequence and legal studies sequence that enhances their associate’s degree along with electives that complement their degree in Legal Studies.
Students interested in pursuing a career in the legal field will find this program prepares them for work as a paralegal and/or legal office administrator, supervisor or manager. The program teaches advanced legal drafting and legal research skills designed to prepare a student to work in a supporting role in the legal field.
Link to the degree plan for the program.
COURSES
Link to a listing of the courses available online. To find out when the courses will be offered, refer to the course catalog, select the program and click search. Catalog search results will return the schedules for at least two semesters, but not all programs are scheduled that far in advance.
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION AND ADVISOR
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
College of Applied Technology and General Studies
80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520
Advisor: Hilda Flores
Phone: (956) 882-8211
Email: BAAS_LegalStudies@utb.edu
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What associate’s degree(s) does a student need to have?
It is recommended that students have an Associate's of Applied Science degree from a Legal Studies Program. Those AAS degrees are commonly termed as Associate's Degrees in Paralegal Studies, Legal Office Administration, Legal Office Management, etc. Additionally, students with AAS or AA degrees in Government, Criminal Justice, Business or Office Administration will qualify if their work experience is in the legal field. Finally, any AAS or AA degree student will be considered if the student has an extensive work background in the legal field. -
How many maximum hours can transfer with approved credits?
Students can transfer a maximum of 81 hours. Students can transfer up to 33 hours from their AAS degree or its equivalent and up to 48 hours of general education. In the case of undergraduate degree programs, the student must earn at least 25 percent of credits from the participating institution with at least 15 semester credit hours of advanced course work (level 3000, 4000) in the major field of study. -
Does this program train someone to be a paralegal in addition to the bachelor’s credential?
Yes, the program teaches advanced legal drafting and legal research skills designed to prepare a student to work in a supporting role in the legal field. The coursework parallels the trend in the legal community for advanced legal drafting skills. -
How much will it cost?
Students are billed by UTB/TSC for courses. Links to campus tuition and fee information can be found on the cost & financial information page of the UTTC website or link to UTB. Textbooks, supplemental readings and required software are additional costs. -
How can I find more information?
Contact us at BAAS_LegalStudies@utb.edu or (956)882-8211 for additional information about the program. -
How will this degree benefit a student already working in the legal profession?
The current trend in law firm support personal is to hire individuals with bachelor’s degrees who have superior writing and critical thinking skills. This degree completion program works for those students who want to promote within the field and for those who want to enhance their legal drafting and critical thinking skills through the hands-on coursework offered in this program. -
If I am interested in the law, but do not want to enter a degree completion program, May I still take these courses?
Yes, anyone interested in the law and/or a legal career may take these courses as long as they fulfill the pre-requisite courses. Student interested in a career in government, criminal justice, business or law will find the courses beneficial. -
What are the pre-requisites for the courses?
Courses within the degree completion program which require extensive writing require completion of ENGL 1301.
GETTING STARTED
To participate in the program, students must apply to and be accepted by UT Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. Complete an application for admissions to UTB/TSC by mail or online and request official college transcripts be sent and evaluated by the admissions office.
When students begin the BAAS program, they will be assigned a departmental advisor. The advisor will assist in finalizing the appropriate degree plan for additional academic and nonacademic coursework.
For additional information on registration and course access, please link to Enrollment Services.