Discover DAUS: The Division of Applied Undergraduate Study at SPS

DAUS welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds and at different stages in their academic journey. Many are transfer students finishing a bachelor’s degree, while others are adult learners balancing work and family. DAUS also serves students who prefer online or hybrid learning as well as those who live outside of New York City. Additionally, military members, veterans, and their families can find tailored steps to success.

“For students needing flexibility and a pathway to a full bachelor’s, DAUS offers a practical, accessible route,” says Garfield Benjamin, administrative director. Students can complete many programs online, attend on-campus classes in or near New York City, enroll full-time or part-time, and even start in the spring. Evening courses and other scheduling options help fit education into even the busiest lives.

At DAUS, Loris van Vlodrop has found the perfect balance between academics and opportunity. A lifelong soccer player, Loris began his career playing in New York before spending two years in Spain. There, he attended community college online while playing professionally. When he returned to join Brooklyn Football Club, he wanted a university that would let him do it all.

“It was really a no-brainer. It was NYU—and specifically SPS—because they’re the only school where I could compete, have a job full-time, and get my degree done,” he says. Now majoring in Leadership and Management Studies with a concentration in international business, Loris is transitioning from the soccer field to the business world, working at a start-up and pursuing his passion for entrepreneurship. He credits DAUS for providing both flexibility and community: “It’s been the perfect place for me. I’ve met such amazing people.”

Approximately 900 students are currently enrolled in DAUS, which offers over 200 undergraduate courses each semester.

Bachelor’s Degrees

• Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Management
• Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences

Associate’s Degrees

• Associate of Applied Science in Business
• Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems and Technology
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
• Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management
• Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Management

All associate’s degrees can feed into bachelor’s pathways, allowing students to continue their education without interruption. At the same time, bachelor’s students can further tailor their studies by specializing in areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship, data analytics, network and cybersecurity, and UX design.

Practical experience is a cornerstone of DAUS. Students can earn academic credit through internships, co-ops, work-study, and paid opportunities that complement their coursework. Many have interned with prominent organizations such as Bank of America, CNN, Goldman Sachs, and the United Nations. This emphasis on experience extends beyond the classroom, too.

DAUS recognizes the value of what students have already accomplished. You can transfer up to 80 previously earned college credits toward a bachelor’s degree (or 30 toward an associate’s) and even earn credit for professional experience, military training, or exams such as AP and CLEP. Students may also submit portfolios that showcase past learning, helping them accelerate their studies and reduce overall costs.

For Maung Sawyeddollah, a Social Sciences major concentrating in international studies, DAUS represents “both a personal milestone and a responsibility.” A member of the Rohingya community, Maung was raised in Rakhine State, Myanmar, where systemic discrimination long denied his people access to higher education. “At 16, I fled the genocide and ended up in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh,” he recalls.

Life in the camps was difficult, but he founded the Rohingya Student Network to support other displaced youth. When he discovered DAUS, its inclusive mission resonated deeply. “It welcomes students with different life experiences and gives us a real pathway to higher education,” he says. Now based in New York City, Maung balances his studies with global advocacy and working with human rights organizations. “Every step I take here isn’t just for me,” he says. “It’s for my family and the young people in the camps who look up to this journey.”

Because DAUS students often balance school with careers, families, and other responsibilities, the program prioritizes both support and community. Students receive personalized advising to transfer credits, manage scheduling, and plan their degree paths. Moreover, SPS offers tutoring, writing assistance, and peer mentorship through programs like the Career Pathways Bridge Program.

Beyond academics, DAUS fosters connection through collaboration and shared experiences. Even in online and hybrid courses, students engage in group projects and interactive learning, with small class sizes encouraging meaningful relationships with faculty and classmates. In-person events, workshops, and access to the broader NYU network further strengthen this sense of community, ensuring every student at DAUS feels like they belong.