Leadership and Communication, BAAS
The Leadership and Communication concentration is an exciting skills-building and career-enhancing program designed by distinguished, award-winning Ivy League academic experts and researchers in consultation with top executives and leaders from the real worlds of business, government, and the nonprofit sector.
An Ivy League degree path to effective, ethical and career-boosting leadership
Drawing expertly on the social sciences, humanities, and data sciences, each of the twelve Leadership and Communication courses is scheduled especially for working adults and taught by dedicated and experienced Penn-affiliated scholars. Each Leadership and Communication course brings you one step closer to having the intellectual understanding and professional skills needed for effective, ethical, career-boosting leadership and communication. Each course meets for eight weeks in an accelerated semester format. The curriculum is divided into four parts: Leadership Foundations; Leading Across Sectors; Leading Positively; and Global Leadership.
For more information: https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/academics/bachelors-degree/baas-concentrations/leadership-and-communication
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
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.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Foundational Requirements | 8 | |
| Concentrations | 12 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Penn Elective (Must be a Penn course) | 1 | |
| BAAS 4000 | The Art of Work (Senior Portfolio Requirement) | 1 |
| Total Course Units | 30 | |
In addition to course requirements, BAAS students must complete 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.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Requirements | ||
| Ethical Reasoning | ||
| Select 1 Ethical Reasoning course | 1 | |
| Applications of Digital Culture | ||
| Ethics & Society | ||
| Qualitative Analysis | ||
| Select 2 Qualitative Analysis courses | 2 | |
| Modern and Contemporary US Poetry | ||
| Digital Literacy & Cultural Change | ||
| Greek and Roman Mythology | ||
or DIGC 1600 | A History of Digital Culture | |
or RELC 2000 | Gods, Ghosts, Monsters | |
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Select 2 Quantitative Analysis courses | 2 | |
| Mathematical Foundations for Data Analytics | ||
or MTHS 2000 | Mathematics All Around You | |
| Introduction to Data Analytics | ||
or MTHS 2200 | Introduction to Applied Statistics | |
| Scientific Process | ||
| Select 1 Scientific Process course | 1 | |
| Oceans and Climate | ||
| Introduction to Neuroscience | ||
| Foundations of Life Sciences | ||
or PHYL 1600 | Foundations of Physical & Chemical Sciences | |
| Writing | ||
| Select 1 Writing course * | 1 | |
| Fundamentals of Professional Writing | ||
| Introduction to College Writing | ||
| Cross-Cultural Interactions | ||
| Select 1 Cross-cultural Interactions course | 1 | |
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Total Course Units | 8 | |
- *
Must be taken online 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 in this concentration focus their studies by completing a total of 12 courses (12 c.u.*). Transfer credits cannot be used toward any of the 12 Leadership and Communication concentration courses.
- Students who pursue the Leadership and Communication concentration should begin with LEAD 1010: Leadership Theory
- The prerequisites for LEAD 4000 are LEAD 1010, LEAD 1040/3040, LEAD 2020, LEAD 2030, LEAD 3100, LEAD 3200, and LEAD 3300, plus one of the following: DATA 1010, MTHS 1000, MTHS 2000, or MTHS 2200
To be admitted to the Leadership and Communication concentration, you must have:
- Completed two Leadership and Communication courses (LEAD 1010 plus any one of the following LEAD courses: LEAD 2020, LEAD 2030, LEAD 3040, LEAD 3100, LEAD 3200 or LEAD 3300)
- Maintained an average of B or better, and received a grade of B+ or better in at least one of those two courses
Leadership Foundations
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership and Communication Concentration | ||
| Leadership Foundations | ||
| LEAD 1010 | Leadership Theory, Practice and Purpose (Required first LEAD course) | 1 |
| LEAD 1040 | Professional Communication and Personal Development | 1 |
| LEAD 2020 | Leadership Lessons from Social Sciences | 1 |
| LEAD 2030 | Leadership Lessons from Humanities | 1 |
| Plus, one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Data Analytics | ||
| Mathematical Foundations for Data Analytics | ||
| Mathematics All Around You | ||
| Introduction to Applied Statistics | ||
| Leading Across Sectors | ||
| LEAD 3100 | Leadership and Public Administration | 1 |
| LEAD 3200 | Leadership and Business Organization | 1 |
| LEAD 3300 | Leadership and Nonprofit Management | 1 |
| Leading Positively | ||
| APOP 1000 | Introduction to Positive Psychology | 1 |
| APOP 1200 | Human Flourishing: Strengths and Resilience | 1 |
| APOP 2000 | Positive Psychology at Work | 1 |
| Global Leadership | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Global Leadership and Problem-Solving (See required prerequisites) | 1 |
| Total Course Units | 12 | |
Electives (8 CUs + 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 and fall 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.
Plan of Study for Less Than Full-Time Attendance
This is only a sample plan of less than full-time study. This plan will take approximately six years with no transfer credits with each year looking like the plan below. Students with transfer credits will reduce their time to degree completion. Students who are seeking financial aid should contact Student Financial Services regarding the enrollment requirements for federal aid eligibility. This example plan of study is based on course availability. Note that some requirements are only offered in Fall, Spring, Summer and registration should be planned accordingly. Visit the Penn LPS Online course guide for the latest course offerings.
| Fall | Course Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Part of Term 1 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Fall Part of Term 2 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Part of Term 1 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Spring Part of Term 2 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer - 1 course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 1.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 5.00 | |
Plan of Study for Full-Time Attendance
This is only a sample plan of full-time study. Students who are seeking financial aid should contact Student Financial Services regarding the enrollment requirements for full-time federal aid. This plan will take approximately three years with each year looking like the plan below. This example plan of study is based on course availability. Note that some requirements are only offered in Fall, Spring, Summer and registration should be planned accordingly. Visit the Penn LPS Online course guide for the latest course offerings.
| Fall | Course Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Part of Term 1 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Fall Part of Term 2 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Part of Term 1 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Spring Part of Term 2 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
This plan would be repeated 3 times for each year.