Applied Arts and Sciences

You may know what you want to do, but you also may find yourself drawn to a collection of interests that doesn't fit neatly into a conventional academic program. RIT's BS in applied arts and sciences is an individualized studies degree, which means your education is designed by you. You are free to customize an academic program crafted around your interests, goals, and career aspirations. All in a place–the School of Individualized Study–dedicated to bringing your unique vision to life.

Create Your Own Individualized Studies Degree: On-Campus or Online

In the BS in applied arts and sciences, you'll create your own major by customizing your academic degree around your interests and career goals. With RIT's rich and diverse academic portfolio–which includes more than 100+ undergraduate programs, options, and concentrations–you can blend a range of courses to create concentrations that provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to accomplish your professional aspirations.

How Does Individualized Study Work?

Individualized study is all about you. It's focused on your interests, your passions, and your career goals. And, it's an opportunity for you to create a specialized degree that's tailored around the knowledge and skills you want to learn, and that fit your personal ambitions.

Students in the School of Individualized Study are unique. But they all share one common trait: their interests don't fit neatly into a traditional degree program. They have ideas about what they want to study, and where they want to go after they graduate. They need a roadmap on how to structure a degree program that gets them where they want to go.

Creating your own major sounds complicated. In reality, it more about identifying your interests, selecting the courses that fit what you want to do, and putting the plan in motion.

You'll start out by meeting with one of the academic advisors in the School of Individualized Study, who will spend time learning about you. They'll talk to you about topics of study that you like and don't like, and listen as you share your career goals and aspirations. Next, they'll talk to you about course selection, and identify what classes you need to take to gain the skills you're looking to acquire. Our advisors will connect you to faculty members so you can learn about exciting career options. As we work together to map out your individualized studies bachelor's degree, your advisors will help you select courses and guide you on extracurricular activities–from co-ops and internships, to research opportunities, study abroad, and more–that will help round out your education. And, as your interests change, or expand into new areas, advisors will work with you to adjust your plan of study to accommodate your evolving goals.

High-Touch, Hands-On Advising

An individualized studies degree needs more than traditional advising. Our academic advising process that's all about you. We want to get to know you and your interests. What are your career goals? What do you want out of your education? By getting to know who you are and what you want to do, we can help you craft an educational journey that's personalized to your aspirations.

Our advising process is continual, high-touch, and customized to your individual career goals. We'll help you:

• Design your own major comprised of hand-picked courses from RIT's dynamic academic portfolio
• Arrange introductions with RIT's faculty, staff, and alumni, Rochester community partners, and beyond
• Mentor you on your academic path
• Connect you to university resources
• Support you through program completion

RIT/Syracuse University College of Law 3+3 Option

RIT has partnered with Syracuse University's College of Law to offer an accelerated 3+3 BS/JD option for highly qualified students. This option provides a fast-track pathway to law school where you can earn a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctorate in six years. You may apply to the 3+3 option directly. Successful applicants are offered admission to RIT and given conditional acceptance into Syracuse University's College of Law.

RIT's applied arts and sciences BS degree is one of the approved majors for the 3+3 option. Learn more about the RIT/Syracuse University College of Law 3+3 Option, including admission requirements and frequently asked questions.

Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees

Today's careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT's Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

+1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway: Successful RIT applicants who are offered admission into the BS degree in applied arts and sciences as an incoming first-year student may also be offered conditional early acceptance into the +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway. This option enables you to earn both your BS degree and an MBA in as little as five years of study. Learn how the +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway can help you add a competitive advantage to your studies.

+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Typical Job Titles