Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) Program

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) is designed to meet the unique needs of students, including the ability to design their own degree concentration. This program allows students to develop the knowledge and skills required to fulfill their life goals and career ambitions. The BAAS degree recognizes the power of an applied liberal arts education in providing students with strong communication skills, understanding of different cultures and perspectives, and the ability to apply their knowledge to nuanced, complex scenarios.

Overview of Degree Requirements

The BAAS degree requires 30 course units. The breakdown of these units is as follows:

• Foundational Requirements: 8 course units
• Concentrations: 12 course units
• Electives: 8 course units
• Penn Elective (Must be a Penn course): 1 course unit
• BAAS 4000: The Art of Work (Senior Portfolio Requirement): 1 course unit

Foundational Requirements

The foundational requirements reflect the core competencies and values of the program. These requirements include:

• Ethical Reasoning: Select 1 course (1 course unit)
• Qualitative Analysis: Select 2 courses (2 course units)
• Quantitative Analysis: Select 2 courses (2 course units)
• Scientific Process: Select 1 course (1 course unit)
• Writing: Select 1 course (1 course unit)
• Cross-cultural Interactions: Select 1 course (1 course unit)

Concentrations

Concentrations enable students to tailor their undergraduate education to specific personal and professional goals. The Individualized Studies concentration allows students to work with an academic advisor to develop their plan of study. Declaration of the Individualized Studies concentration is a two-step process:

1. 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 plus one Penn LPS online course and three transfer courses.
   • Option 2 and 3: Students without applicable transfer credits will choose either three 4-course blocks or two 6-course advanced course blocks/certificates.
2. Once the Individualized Studies program of study is approved by the advisor, the student submits the electronic program declaration form.

Available Course Blocks

Students can choose from the following course blocks:

• Applied Positive Psychology
• Cinema
• Classics
• Climate Change
• Creative Writing
• Data Analytics
• Dialogue, Ethics, and Social Good
• Digital Strategies
• English Literature
• Global and Regional Studies
• Leadership and Communication
• Mathematical Sciences
• Music Studies
• Neuroscience
• Organizational Culture and Collaboration
• Professional Writing
• Religion and Culture
• Social Sciences

Certificates

Students who complete the requirements for a certificate while enrolled in the BAAS degree are awarded the certificate upon completion of the degree. Available certificates include:

• Applied Positive Psychology Certificate
• Climate Change Certificate
• Creative Writing Certificate
• Data Analytics Certificate
• Digital Strategies Certificate
• Global and Regional Studies Certificate
• Leadership and Communication Certificate
• Neuroscience Certificate
• Organizational Culture and Collaboration Certificate
• Professional Writing Certificate
• Science Foundations Certificate
• Dialogue, Ethics, and Social Good Certificate
• Upskill Certificate

Electives

Electives are courses that do not apply toward foundational or degree concentration requirements. Students choose 8 electives from any of the program's areas of study and are required to complete 1 course unit of Penn elective that must be a Penn course.

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

This course exposes students to a scholarly understanding of the modern world of work, examining how work shapes identities, communities, and society. Students should plan to take BAAS 4000 during one of their final two terms in the program. The course is offered in Spring 1 and Fall 1 annually. Students must submit a request to register for the course to ensure eligibility.