Applied Studies
Applied Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program designed specifically for the modern adult learner that focuses on complex relationships between human behavior, society, health, and the broader global context.
Program Overview
- Accelerated Program
The Applied Studies program is a flexible 120-credit interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree designed specifically for today’s busy adult learner. Ideal for working professionals, students with previously earned college credits, and individuals seeking a flexible online pathway to degree completion, the program provides an efficient and personalized approach to earning your bachelor’s degree while balancing career, family, and personal commitments. Whether you are looking to advance in your current career, prepare for a new professional opportunity, or finally complete a degree you started years ago, Applied Studies offers the support and flexibility to help you reach your goals.
Designed to honor and build upon your existing life and work experience, the program allows you to work one-on-one with an academic advisor to combine coursework from areas such as art, political science, psychology, English, sociology, philosophy, religion, science, and health into a customized academic plan aligned with your career aspirations and personal interests.
Using a “learn, apply, and personalize” model, students gain a strong academic foundation while tailoring their studies to real-world needs. Coursework is intentionally designed to connect directly to professional and personal growth, allowing students to immediately apply what they learn to their current role, future career goals, or broader life experiences.
Program Details
The curriculum is built on a "learn, apply, and personalize" model, blending a rigorous core curriculum with a high degree of customization. The program's foundation is a comprehensive 45-credit General Education Core, ensuring a broad base of knowledge and opportunity for acquisition and refinement of skills associated with the core values of the Holy Family Experience.
Program Requirements
- 45 credits from the General Education curriculum
- 72 credits of interdisciplinary curriculum from any of the Guided Concentration Areas*
- 3 credit culminating experience course (APLS 400: Applied Studies Capstone), taken in the final semester
*At least 21 credits (7 courses) must be upper level electives (300 or 400 level)
Guided Concentration Areas
Concentration 1: Professional and Personal Enrichment
- Ideal for the modern adult learners who want to combine intellectual growth with practical skills
Concentration 2: Social-Cultural Approaches to Society and Ethics
- Explores the complex interactions between culture, society, and ethical decision-making in a diverse and interconnected world
Concentration 3: Science, Health, and Wellness
- Offers a series of interdisciplinary courses focused on the holistic understanding of human well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social health
Program Objectives
- Analyze interdisciplinary problems by integrating core concepts from multiple fields, demonstrating critical thinking and the ability to make informed decisions about real-world issues.
- Apply learned skills and theoretical frameworks through practical projects, case studies, or workplace-based experiences relevant to students’ career goals and intellectual interests.
- Evaluate ethical dilemmas using established reasoning strategies, reflecting on personal and societal impacts while demonstrating the values of Holy Family University.
- Synthesize knowledge from core and concentration areas to create innovative solutions and well-reasoned arguments in diverse contexts.
Credit for Prior Learning
We recognize that learning happens everywhere—which is why we help you apply your professional expertise and previous academic achievements toward your degree, saving you both time and tuition. Please see our Transfer Student page for more information.
Questions?
For more information or questions, please contact adult@holyfamily.edu or call 267-341-3327.
Program Information
- Degree Awarded
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- Bachelor of Arts
- Program Type
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- Major
- Program Location
-
- Blended
- Required Credit Hours
- 120
FAQs
Holy Family University’s Bachelor of Arts in Applied Studies is a flexible, interdisciplinary degree designed for adult learners, working professionals, and students who have previously earned college credits. Students can create a personalized academic plan that combines coursework from multiple areas of study and aligns with their professional and personal goals.
Yes. Holy Family University’s Applied Studies program is designed to help students build upon previously earned college credits and prior learning. This can be especially valuable for veterans and service members who may have eligible military training and education that can be applied toward their degree. Previous coursework and eligible credits will be evaluated to determine how they may apply, potentially reducing the time and cost required to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Yes. The Applied Studies program was created specifically with busy adult learners in mind. Its flexible format allows students to balance their education with work, family, and other responsibilities while progressing toward a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Holy Family University recognizes that valuable learning can take place outside of a traditional classroom. Students may be able to receive credit for eligible prior learning, professional experience, previous college coursework, and other educational experiences. For veterans and service members, eligible military education and training may also provide an opportunity to build upon experience gained during military service.
The time required depends on how many previous credits and prior learning experiences can be applied toward your degree and the number of courses you take. Students with eligible transfer credits may be able to significantly reduce the time required to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Adults in the Philadelphia area who have previous college credits can consider degree completion programs designed around the needs of working students. Holy Family University’s Applied Studies B.A. offers a flexible, interdisciplinary path that allows adult learners to build upon previous education and experience while creating an academic plan aligned with their career and personal goals.
Philadelphia-area students who started college but did not complete their bachelor’s degree have options for returning to school. Holy Family University’s Applied Studies B.A. provides a flexible degree-completion pathway for adult learners, including working professionals, veterans, service members, and students with previously earned college credits.
For adults returning to college, a flexible degree that makes use of previously earned credits and accommodates work and family responsibilities can be a good option. This can also be valuable for veterans and service members looking to apply eligible military education, training, and prior learning toward a bachelor’s degree. Holy Family University’s Applied Studies B.A. allows students to personalize their studies across multiple subject areas while developing skills they can apply to their current careers or future professional goals.
Military education, training, and prior college coursework may be eligible to count toward a bachelor’s degree, depending on how those experiences are evaluated. Holy Family University’s Applied Studies program provides a flexible pathway for veterans and service members to build upon eligible prior learning and college credits as they work toward completing their bachelor’s degree.