BAS Degree Requirements
Earning a University of Iowa Bachelor of Applied Studies degree allows students the opportunity to select a variety of courses in thematic areas called Distribution Areas, instead of earning a major or minor. Optional pre-designed Emphasis Areas and Certificates are also available for students who want additional focus within their BAS degree.
In order to graduate from the University of Iowa with your Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) you must have at least 120 semester hours from all sources with a maximum of 60 semester hours, including career-technical course work, from your associate degree or two-year institution.
Your 120 semester hours must include:
- Completion of the BAS core general education requirements
- Completion of the Distribution Area requirements
- 45 semester hours of upper-level course work
- After admission to the University of Iowa, one of the following residence requirements must be met—at least 90 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa, or 45 of the final 60 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa, or the final 30 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa.
You must also have a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 in the following calculations:
- Overall GPA (combined transfer and UI work)
- University of Iowa GPA
- Upper-Level GPA
BAS students admitted prior to Fall 2019 must also have a Post-BAS Admission minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA.
Focus your studies with an Emphasis Area or Certificate
The BAS offers four optional Emphasis Areas for students wishing to focus their studies:
BAS students also have the option to supplement their degree with a certificate program which provides for a more targeted course of study:
- Certificate in Aging and Longevity Studies
- Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management
- Certificate in Leadership Studies
- Certificate in Museum Studies
- Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership & Philanthropy (Effective Fall 2019)
- Certificate in Nonprofit Management (Declared prior to Fall 2019)
- Certificate in Writing