Bachelors
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Summer
Online
About the Bachelor of Applied Studies Program at Loyola
A program grounded in the University Core Curriculum, the Applied Studies degree provides a strong foundation in communication and business. The Applied Studies major can allow you to make the most of your prior credit in a particular subject and accelerate your path to graduation.
Program Structure
The Bachelor of Applied Studies degree can be pursued full time or part time. Classes are held fully online. Ranked in the top 5 best private online bachelor’s programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (2025), you will have access to innovative and impactful virtual learning experiences at Loyola.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Applied Studies Degree?
At Loyola, you will benefit from a versatile, affordable applied studies program that is tailored specifically to adult learners. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning opportunities so you can apply what you have learned to real-world situations.
- A flexible, convenient format
- Customizable to your interests and goals
- A respected and well-known institution
- Supportive and inclusive learning environment
- Widely applicable skills and coursework
- Experienced faculty
Our unique program allows you to balance your studies with your professional and family life. The applied studies program is designed for working professionals like you with online courses.
Gain knowledge and skills in an emphasis area that fits your interests and career goals. You will complete a concentration that can be satisfied with existing certificate options or by selecting coursework under a common theme. The coursework you choose can draw from prior academic experience and reduce your time to degree completion.
Hone the business skills you have and gain new ones with a degree from a widely respected institution. Loyola’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies is well-known for providing a transformative education for adult learners like you.
Learn from faculty who are well-practiced in online and hybrid teaching and learning. They also understand the unique challenges and commitments adult learners face and work hard to create an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all.
Learn theoretical concepts and develop practical skills that you can apply to any number of careers. From economics to communication, the BA in Applied Studies at Loyola University Chicago provides a solid foundation for your next step.
Learn from professionals who will bring their expertise and experience in the real world to the classroom. Our BA in Applied Studies faculty have worked or are working in organizational development, business consulting, technology, accounting, and more.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Continuing and Professional Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Applied Studies BA program.
Faculty and StaffApplied Studies: Career Connections
An applied studies degree offers a strong foundation in several disciplines, preparing you for leadership roles in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Graduates of our applied studies BA program work in many sectors such as business, marketing, technology, and corporate settings. Your certificate emphasis will also expand your career possibilities.
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Applied Studies BA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Applied Studies BA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogBA in Applied Studies: Results and Skills
The BA in Applied Studies cultivates numerous skills that will help you excel professionally and personally:
- Executive leadership
- Public speaker
- Communications specialist
- Researcher
- Problem solver
- Critical thinker
- Technology expert
- Technical writer
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your return to school a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
Tuition and Costs
Students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies will likely have the ability to influence their total cost through the use of transfer credit and non-traditional credit. Please keep that in mind when reviewing the variety of estimated total cost options for the Applied Studies BA below.
On average, students in the Applied Studies BA program transfer 60 credit hours to Loyola and 11 hours of non-traditional credit. We can accept and apply up to 36 credit hours of non-traditional credit (CLEP, DSST, and American Council on Education).
Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
| Credit Hours | Cost Per Credit Hour | Estimated Total Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 45 (Minimum number of credit hours completed at Loyola.) | $825.00 | $37,125.00 |
| 71 (Average number of credit hours completed at Loyola.) | $825.00 | $58,575.00 |
| 120 (Maximum number of credit hours completed at Loyola. Please note that this number does not include any potential transfer credit or non-traditional credit.) | $825.00 | $99,000.00 |
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Applied Studies BA Scholarships
Degree-seeking students in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (SCPS) who have completed the scholarship application will be considered for the many scholarship opportunities available to students each semester.
Achieve the Degree Scholarships include both merit and need-based scholarships. Newly-admitted undergraduate degree-seeking students can expect to receive $2,000 in their first semester while awards for current students range from $1,100 to $3,000 per semester.
Students receiving tuition reimbursement from their employer should also consider seeking admission to the SCPS Fellow Scholarship program that will match up to $5,250 per academic year the reimbursement total you're eligible to receive from your employer.
For detailed information about tuition, costs, and aid, please visit the SCPS Tuition & Financial Aid page.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Applied Studies BA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, & Summer: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Applied Studies BA include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2.0 Minimum GPA
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Applied Studies BA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY