Individualized Studies, BAAS

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences is designed to meet your unique needs—including the ability to design your own degree concentration to develop the knowledge and skills you need to fulfill your life goals and career ambitions. While most BAAS degree concentrations are interdisciplinary, combining areas of study to encourage greater complexity and flexibility as you explore your interests, the Individualized Studies concentration goes a step further. With input from your academic advisor, you can combine courses from any three certificates or course blocks for a highly personalized learning experience.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) recognizes the power of an applied liberal arts education to provide students with strong communication skills, understanding of different cultures and perspectives, and the ability to apply their knowledge to nuanced, complex scenarios with insight, perspective, and empathy.

Overview of degree requirements

30 course units are required for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree.

Requirements
Foundational Requirements8
Concentrations12
Electives8
Penn Elective (Must be a Penn course)1
BAAS 4000The Art of Work (Senior Portfolio Requirement)1
Total Course Units30

In addition to course requirements, BAAS students must complete the BAAS 4000: The Art of Work course.

Foundational requirements 

The foundational requirements of the BAAS degree reflect the core competencies and values of Penn LPS Online: the skills and knowledge needed to understand and solve complex problems, the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences and an appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. Students can transfer a maximum of 4 course units of foundational courses from a regionally accredited institution. Our program team can also give a preliminary evaluation of transfer credits before students officially apply. Visit the Transfer Preparation & Policies page for more details.

Foundational Requirements
Ethical Reasoning
Select 1 Ethical Reasoning course1
Qualitative Analysis
Select 2 Qualitative Analysis courses2
Quantitative Analysis
Select 2 Quantitative Analysis course2
Scientific Process
Select 1 Scientific Process course1
Writing
Select 1 Writing Course *1
Cross-cultural Interactions
Select 1 Cross-cultural Interactions course1
Total Course Units8

*  Must be taken at Penn

Concentrations

Just as a college major serves to focus your studies during a four-year degree, the BAAS concentrations enable students to tailor their undergraduate education to specific personal and professional goals. Concentrations progress from introductory-level courses to higher-level courses so that students develop skills and knowledge with greater complexity as they move through the curriculum. Many concentrations are interdisciplinary, to provide students with opportunities to explore their areas of interest from multiple perspectives and develop a flexible approach to solving complex problems in professional as well as academic contexts.

Students exploring the Individualized Studies degree concentration work with an academic advisor to develop their plan of study. 

Declaration of the Individualized Studies concentration is a two-step process.

Step 1. Work with your academic advisor to select one of 3 options available for the individualized studies concentration.

Option 1. Students with applicable transfer credits can select: 

Two, 4-course blocks or certificates + 1 Penn LPS online course and 3 transfer courses=12 courses

for their individualized studies concentration proposal for a total of 12 courses (12 C.U.*).

Option 2 and 3. Students without applicable transfer credits will choose either:

Three, 4-course blocks for their concentration=12 courses

or

Two, 6 course advanced course block/certificates=12 courses

The proposed concentration must be significantly different than a concentration that currently exists. 

Step 2. Once the Individualized Studies program of study is approved by the advisor, the student submits the electronic program declaration form via Path@Penn and selects Individualized Studies.

Choose from the following course blocks (not all blocks have 6 available courses):

Students who complete the requirements for a certificate while enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree are awarded the certificate upon completion of the degree.

Any course with Attribute = BBIS

Electives (8 CU's + 1 Penn CU)

Electives are courses that do not apply toward your foundational or degree concentration requirements. You may choose to deepen your field of study by taking additional classes within your concentration, develop a new skill by completing all of the courses within a course block outside of your degree concentration, or discover new interests and abilities by taking individual courses that appeal to your interests. Students choose 8 electives from any of Penn LPS Online's areas of study. Students are required to complete 1 CU of Penn elective that must be a Penn course. Transfer students can apply a maximum of 8 course units from a regionally accredited institution toward this requirement.

BAAS 4000: The Art of Work (Senior Portfolio Requirement)(1CU)

This course is designed to expose students to a scholarly understanding of the modern world of work, examining the many ways that work shapes our identities, communities, and society. BAAS students should plan to take BAAS 4000: The Art of Work during one of their final two terms in the program. The course will be offered in Spring 1 and Fall 1 annually.  Students must submit a request via Path@Penn to register for the course to ensure eligibility. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation. Email lpsonline@sas.upenn.edu if you have any questions. 

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.