Post-Baccalaureate Studies

Post-Baccalaureate Studies

Go beyond your bachelor's degree with Penn: your goals, your courses, your schedule

Enter the inspiring academic atmosphere of the Ivy League with the Post-Baccalaureate Studies (Post-Bacc) program at the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS). If you have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, the Post-Bacc program welcomes students at all stages in life to take courses for graduate school preparation, career development, continuing education, or personal enrichment. With full- and part-time options as well as day, evening, and online courses, you can experience the best of Penn on your schedule. Connect with a thriving intellectual community and benefit from personalized advising as you handpick the courses you need to meet your goals: 

Prepare to excel in graduate school
Complete prerequisite courses and demonstrate academic excellence at an esteemed research university.

Unlock your career potential
Stay current in your field, augment your earning power with new skills, or position yourself to pivot to a new career.

Open doors to new interests
Test the waters in exciting subjects across the University and learn more about the topics that excite or inspire you.

If you’re interested in graduate-level courses, you can apply to the LPS Nontraditional Graduate Studies Program.

If you’re looking for post-baccalaureate studies designed to prepare you for health professional school, you can apply to the Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Programs.

Choose your own adventure

In the Post-Baccalaureate Studies program, you customize your curriculum to learn what you want or need to know. Hear from students who took courses to stay ahead of the curve, enhance their academic transcripts, prepare for graduate studies, and explore new subjects. Director Jaime Kelly is here to help you find your path to success.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

Fast facts

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29
Average age of the current Post-Bacc student
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95%
Percentage of students studying part time
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113
Number of subjects available to study
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15
Number of libraries on Penn’s campus

Tailor your curriculum to your ambition

In this customizable program, Post-Bacc students can enroll in undergraduate-level courses in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, Penn LPS Online courses and certificates, and courses in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as other select schools at Penn. Whether you’re preparing for a graduate degree, expanding your professional knowledge, or learning for personal enrichment, our expert advisors can help connect you to the courses you need on a schedule that works for you. Learn a language, immerse yourself in cultural studies, explore the arts of literature or cinema, unravel the mysteries of human cognition and behavior, or brush up on biology and other sciences.

Browse more than 50 areas of study >

Stand out from the crowd in any field

Post-Baccalaureate Studies students come from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds, and there are as many pathways to success as there are students in the program. Do you need to earn college credit to polish up your academic transcript and get accepted into the graduate program of your dreams? Are you trying to stay ahead of the curve in fast-evolving fields such as computer science or behavioral studies? Do you want to reignite your love of learning and explore Penn’s libraries, museum collections, and learning resources?

Learn more about alumni accomplishments >

Upcoming application deadline

The application deadline for summer 2025 is May 1, 2025.

Post-Baccalaureate Studies information session

Meet the program staff as they explore this unique and customizable program, and review details around how to apply.

Get ready for next semester!

Find the classes you need and start getting ahead for the semester. 

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