UPenn LPS — Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences#

The University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) offers an online bachelor's degree called the BAAS — Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences. Let me walk you through what it is, what it is not, and who should consider it.

What Is UPenn LPS?#

LPS is part of Penn's School of Arts and Sciences. It serves working adults and non-traditional students through online courses, certificates, and degree programs. The BAAS is their undergraduate degree.

Penn discontinued enrollment in the traditional in-person LPS Bachelor of Arts program. The BAAS is now the main undergraduate offering, and it is delivered almost entirely online.

What Degree Do You Earn?#

A Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) from the University of Pennsylvania, conferred through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies.

Your diploma says University of Pennsylvania. But it clearly says "Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences" and "College of Liberal and Professional Studies" — this is a different degree from Penn's traditional B.A. from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Important Distinction#

• LPS Online courses do NOT count toward a B.A. at Penn
• LPS Online courses do NOT count toward Penn graduate programs
• You are NOT taking classes with traditional Penn undergraduates
• This is a separate curriculum designed for the BAAS program

That said, BAAS graduates have gone on to graduate programs at Yale, Brown, Cornell, Columbia, and Penn itself. The degree carries the Penn name, and that has real value.

Who Is Eligible?#

• You must not already have a bachelor's degree
• You need a high school diploma or equivalent
• There is no "break in education" requirement — unlike Columbia GS or the older student programs
• International applicants are welcome (with credential evaluations)

This is the most accessible of the four programs. Anyone without a bachelor's degree can apply.

How Admissions Works#

There are two paths into the BAAS:

Path 1: Standard Admission#

You apply with:

• Official transcripts (minimum 3.0 GPA from most recent coursework)
• Personal statement
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (for non-native English speakers)
• WES credential evaluation (for international transcripts)
• Application fee: $25-$50

Admissions is rolling — you can apply anytime and start in fall, spring, or summer.

Path 2: Gateway Program — "Prove Your Way In"#

If your academic record is not strong enough for standard admission, you can prove yourself through the Gateway Program:

1. Complete 4 designated Penn LPS Online courses
2. Earn a minimum 2.7 GPA with no grade below C
3. After completing the Gateway courses, you are admitted to the BAAS program

This is similar to Harvard Extension's prove-yourself model. You do not need a perfect past — you just need to show you can do the work.

Important: Gateway courses are NOT eligible for financial aid. You pay out of pocket for those 4 courses.

What Does the Degree Require?#

The BAAS requires 30 course units (approximately 120 semester credit hours):

• 8 course units of foundational requirements
• 8-12 course units in your concentration
• 8-10 course units of electives
• BAAS 4000 — The Art of Work (1 course unit)
• A senior portfolio

You can transfer up to 15 course units (50%) from other accredited institutions. With maximum transfer credits, you would need to complete at least 15 courses at Penn.

On-Campus vs. Online#

The BAAS is almost entirely online. You study from wherever you are — your home country, your apartment, anywhere with internet.

There are two limited on-campus professional experiences built into the program, but these are brief. This is fundamentally different from attending Penn as a traditional undergraduate. There is no campus life, no dorm experience, no walking through Penn's campus every day.

For some people, this is a feature — you can work full-time while earning your degree. For others, it is a drawback — you miss the full college experience.

Can International Students Get an F-1 Visa?#

No. The BAAS is an online program and does not qualify for F-1 visa sponsorship under US immigration law. Penn LPS will not issue an I-20 for the BAAS program.

You study from your home country. No US visa needed for the online coursework.

Tuition and Costs#

There are no room and board costs since you study from home. Compare this to Penn's traditional on-campus cost of about $92,000 per year.

The BAAS is the middle option cost-wise — more expensive than Harvard Extension ($30,000-$60,000) but far cheaper than Columbia GS (~$375,000).

Financial Aid for International Students#

Financial aid for international BAAS students is very limited and not well defined.

• BAAS students are NOT eligible for Penn's main all-grant financial aid program
• Some scholarships exist: Kay Scholarships, Community College of Philadelphia Scholarships, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships (each up to 6 course units of tuition per year)
• Gateway Program courses are NOT eligible for any financial aid
• International students who cannot file FAFSA can email lpsonline@sas.upenn.edu with the subject line "FAFSA Alternative" to explore options

Bottom line: Plan to pay for this largely out of pocket. The total cost ($43,000-$86,000 over several years) may be manageable if you are working while studying, but do not count on significant financial aid.

Pros and Cons#

Pros#

• University of Pennsylvania on your diploma — Ivy League name recognition
• Affordable — comparable to Cornell BPS, cheaper than Columbia GS
• Fully online — study from anywhere in the world while keeping your job
• Gateway "prove your way in" path — do not need a strong academic record to start
• Rolling admissions — apply anytime, flexible start dates
• No break-in-education requirement — anyone without a bachelor's degree can apply
• BAAS graduates go to top graduate schools — the degree has real value

Cons#

• "Applied Arts and Sciences" is a clearly different degree from Penn's traditional B.A.
• No F-1 visa — cannot use this to live in the US
• Very limited financial aid for international students
• Almost entirely online — no campus experience, no in-person networking
• NOT the same classes or professors as traditional Penn undergraduates
• "College of Liberal and Professional Studies" on the diploma signals continuing education
• Relatively new program — less established reputation than Harvard Extension or Columbia GS

Who Should Consider This?#

The UPenn BAAS is a strong option if:

• You want an Ivy League name on your resume
• You want to study online while working or managing other responsibilities
• You can afford $43,000-$86,000 spread over several years
• You do not need an F-1 visa to move to America
• You want rolling admissions and a flexible timeline
• Your academic record is not perfect but you are willing to prove yourself through the Gateway program

It is NOT the right option if you need a full scholarship, need an F-1 visa, or want the traditional on-campus college experience.

How It Compares#

Each program has its strengths. The right choice depends on what matters most to you — cost, campus experience, degree equivalence, visa status, or timeline. The next chapters will help you apply and figure out how to pay for whichever option you choose.