If you began work on a degree in the past but stopped because of other life events or you’ve decided that the time is right to pursue a four-year degree, our BLS and BAS external degree programs offer you a way to complete a degree from The University of Iowa without coming to campus. Click on each program heading for specific information regarding admissions, graduation requirements, and more.
The Bachelor of Applied Studies is designed for graduates of community college technical programs with at least three years of work experience.
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies is an option for graduates of Iowa community colleges, persons who wish to complete degree work begun in the past at the University of Iowa and others with sufficient credit hours who wish to complete their bachelor’s degree work.
As long as you earn the minimum number of hours required from The University of Iowa, you may take courses from other institutions as well. Credit may also be earned through military training, CLEP exams, and corporate programs recommended by the American Council on Education.
The following information applies to both programs:
Guided Independent Study (GIS) courses, available on the World Wide Web, offer students living anywhere the opportunity to earn college credit. Until June 15, 2007, enrollment in GIS courses allows students to complete the course work within nine months. After June 15, GIS registration will be open three times per year to coincide with The University's fall, spring, and summer registration periods.
Session-Based Distance Education Courses must be completed within the regular on-campus semester. Courses may be offered via World Wide Web, virtual classroom technology, extension, or Iowa Communication Network (ICN).
Saturday & Evening Classes (S&E) are an option for students who live in the Iowa City area. S&E courses are available from over 40 departments and are offered on The UI campus at times convenient for working students. Priority registration is given to working adults and part-time students.
Each year, 15 scholarships of $1000 are awarded through the Center for Credit Programs to qualified applicants in the BAS and BLS program.
BAS students—you are eligible to apply if you have graduated with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from any Iowa community college and if you have been formally admitted to The University of Iowa BAS program.
BLS students—you may apply if you have graduated with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from any Iowa community college and have been formally admitted to the BLS program.
Funds are made available during the fall semester and after recipients’ admissions to the programs are confirmed. Scholarships may be used for tuition only and not for books or supplies.
While you may apply for admission to the BAS or BLS programs any time during the year, scholarships are awarded prior to the fall semester. The scholarship application deadline is July 1.
Download a BAS/BLS Scholarship Application (pdf) and mail your completed information to the address listed on the form. For more information about the scholarships, phone the Center for Credit Programs, toll-free, at 1-800-272-6430.
Check with The Office of Student Financial Aid for other possible sources of tuition assistance and how to apply for them.
The BAS and BLS degrees have no specific major. Instead, you concentrate course work in three of five Distribution Areas.
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.
Distribution Areas for the BAS and BLS degrees:
Contact Us | Last Updated
9/12/07