In this issue: Advice from alums and other news from Penn LPS Online
Want another reason to go back to school in 2026?
You may at this moment be weighing the costs and benefits of enrolling in a certificate or degree program next year—or perhaps you just want to try one course, like BAAS alum Ernesto. For Ernesto and many others in our community, one class leads to another: Certificate and degree alumni continue on to advanced professional degrees in business or law, pursue graduate-level work at top-tier universities, and explore their creativity in fine arts programs. Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences alumni in particular pursue graduate studies at prestigious academic institutions around the world.
If you think graduate school might be an important step in your plan for the future, read up on what Penn LPS Online alumni say about their advanced academic journeys, or get specific details from those who went to business school and law school.
Dates and Deadlines
December 1 – Deadline for Gateway students planning a spring 2 start
December 15 – Deadline for new certificate students to enroll for a spring 1 start
January 14 – Spring 1 courses begin
February 1 – Deadline for new BAAS students to apply for a spring 2 start
February 15 – Deadline for Gateway students planning a spring 2 start; deadline for new certificate students to enroll for a spring 2 start
View the academic calendar for additional dates and deadlines.
Course Spotlight
PROW 1000: Fundamentals of Professional Writing
- 8-week course, offered in spring 1
- May be taken as an individual course
- May be applied to the Certificate in Professional Writing and Upskill Certificate
- May be applied to the BAAS concentration in Individualized Studies
- May be applied to the BAAS foundational degree requirement for Writing
Sharpen your communication skills to a fine point in this immersive introductory writing course. A collaborative, hands-on approach provides experience for a broad range of professional scenarios. Ready to unlock the power of persuasion?
Student Voices
“Getting my bachelor’s degree is something I’ve been working on since I graduated high school. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be going to law school…. I never thought I would graduate with 4.0 from Penn. But the more classes I took, the more I believed in myself.”
— Erica Adhikary, Linda Bowen Santoro Award winner and Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences ’25
Learn how Erica forged her pathway to law school, or visit the Student Voices page to hear from more Penn LPS Online students and alumni.
Upcoming Events
Penn LPS Online Certificates: Meet Us Mondays
Every other Monday, 12:30 p.m. ET
BAAS Virtual Information Sessions
Every other Tuesday, various times
Virtual Application Completion Session
Every other Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET
