Bachelor of Applied Studies - Division of Continuing Education

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS)
External Degree Program

Our BAS program is designed for graduates of community college technical programs who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree, but who, due to family and/or employment responsibilities, cannot engage in traditional on-campus study.

An interdisciplinary approach to course work can reflect your interests as well as incorporate certificate programs into your studies: the Certificate in Public Health, offered by the College of Public Health; the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management, offered by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, Tippie College of Business; or the Certificate in Nonprofit Management offered by the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center.

Because the program does not have departmental major requirements, you work with an advisor to plan your area of emphasis. To participate in the BAS program, it is essential to have Internet access. The Bachelor of Applied Studies degree is awarded by University College. The BAS degree is not an on-campus degree option.

Approved by the Iowa Board of Regents in June 2005 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The University of Iowa BAS degree is quickly becoming a popular choice among persons wishing to complete their degrees at a distance.

BAS Admission Requirements

New applicants:

An AAS or AS degree
with a minimum of 60 semester hours (s.h.) of transferable credit
a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above for Iowa Community College graduates
a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above for applicants with a degree from a community college outside of Iowa
three years of work experience recommended

Applying for Admission

Download your application electronically from the Office of Admissions Web site, or, if you prefer, contact Distance Education, toll-free at 888-4-U of I-ED (888-486-3433), to request a BAS information packet which includes an application form.

The following are needed to complete your application for admission:

BAS application form
an official transcript showing completion of AAS or AS degree*
official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
documentation of military training, if applicable
$40 application fee

Letters of recommendation are no longer required as of July 1, 2009.

All application materials and official transcripts should be sent to the Office of Admissions, 107 Calvin Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester:              April 1
Spring Semester:         November 15
Summer Session:        April 1

Applications are processed as soon as possible after all transcripts and letters of recommendation are received. Typically, the application process takes from four to six weeks. All University of Iowa course work is semester based. While you may submit your application at any time, you can only begin course work at the start of the fall (August), spring (January), or summer (May) sessions.

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn a combined total of at least 120 semester hours from all sources. A maximum of 60 semester hours credit may be from two-year institutions. The 120 semester hours must include all of the following:

45 semester hours of upper-level course work
30 semester hours of credit earned from The University of Iowa after admission to the BAS program
Completion of Core Requirements

Rhetoric: 4-8 s.h. (includes 2 composition courses and a speech course)
Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: 3 s.h.
Social Sciences: 3 s.h.
Cultural Diversity: 3 s.h.
Business/Management electives: 6 s.h.

For additional information on how Distance Education course work can satisfy graduation requirements, please see Core Requirements.

Completion of BAS Distribution Area Requirements
- Students focus their plan of study by selecting a minimum of 3 of the 5 general thematic groupings, or Distribution Areas
- Distribution Areas for the BAS degree:

Humanities

Within each of the three selected areas, you are required to complete 12 semester hours of course work. At least six semester hours must be upper-level course work.
For additional information on how Distance Education course work can satisfy graduation requirements, please see Distribution Area Requirements.