The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is designed to build on the knowledge and skills that students have gained through vocational and/or technical studies at an accredited institution. The program consists of three component areas: first, the transfer of vocational/technical credit hours (from 3-42 hours), second, the completion of the Core Curriculum Program (42 hours) or the core of another accredited institution, and third, the completion of a professional track curriculum that provides both academic and professional depth to individuals who possess recognized competence in a vocational or technical field (24-27 hours). Students are required to earn a minimum of 120 hours for the Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Students can select one of eight tracks in the BAS program: Applied Leadership, Childhood Development/Early Childhood Education, Community and Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Environmental and Occupational Safety/Emergency Response, Information Technology, Legal Studies, or Technical Communication.