The Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) is designed for undergraduate students with a strong interest in practical training in professional management career pathways. The B.P.S. degree is a professional track baccalaureate completion degree for students transferring to KU with an associate degree or equivalent hours and who are looking to complete the last two years necessary for a bachelor’s degree. The B.P.S. is unique because it draws upon coursework from multiple programs and disciplines.
The flexible curriculum of this degree program allows students to transfer in credit from a community college or other accredited institution and create a baccalaureate degree pathway to demonstrate their ability to succeed in courses with content relevant to their anticipated profession. Students in the B.P.S. program choose a minor that aligns with their professional goals.
Courses in the B.P.S. are offered online with some courses being offered in the synchronous format and some courses being offered in the asynchronous format. Delivery format for courses in the minor varies depending on the minor.
The Bachelor of Professional Studies follows university admission requirements for transfer students. First-year students apply for admission through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
This program offers flexible pathways for students to complete their degree. Students can take foundational courses at community colleges or the KU Lawrence Campus, and complete upper-level coursework through the School of Professional Studies.
Upper-level course requirements for the major are offered online with a select few offered in-person at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, KS.
The School of Professional Studies strongly encourages students to contact a School representative prior to applying for admission to develop a personalized degree completion plan. To schedule an appointment, please email professionalstudies@ku.edu.
Transfer students with an associate’s degree or equivalent:
- Students with an associate's degree or equivalent, after meeting with an advisor and developing a degree completion plan, can typically begin taking junior and senior-level courses in their major.
Transfer students with 24-59 credit hours:
- Students with 24-59 credits, after meeting with an advisor and developing their plan, may still need to complete prerequisite and lower-level courses.
- Please note that online lower-level courses are limited, and no lower-level courses are offered at the Edwards Campus.
- Students may find more lower-level course availability in-person at the Lawrence campus or at a community college.
- Schedule an appointment with an advisor and create a personalized plan, contact 913-897-8539.
First-year students:
Incoming first-year students wanting to pursue this major apply through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. An academic advisor will guide you through lower-level course selections and help you declare the B.P.S. as your academic major when you are ready to begin junior and senior level courses.
First-year students should select the following options on the KU admission application:
Program: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Plan: Deciding
Subplan: Communication and Leadership
Degree Plan
Example Plan of Study: Please consult with an academic success coach for a personalized plan.
Junior and senior courses are offered face-to-face or online at the KU Edwards Campus.
| Freshman |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| MATH 107 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | Elective | 3 |
| | 15 | | 15 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE)050 | 3 | Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE)050 | 3 |
| Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| | 15 | | 15 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| PFS 301 | 3 | PFS 303 | 3 |
| Minor Course 1 | 3 | Minor Course 3 | 3 |
| Minor Course 2 | 3 | Professional Studies Elective | 3 |
| Professional Studies Elective | 3 | Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| | 15 | | 15 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| PFS 302 | 3 | PFS 599 (Capstone) | 3 |
| Minor Course 4 | 3 | Minor Course 6 | 3 |
| Minor Course 5 | 3 | Minor Course 7 or Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| Professional Studies Elective | 3 | Professional Studies Elective | 3 |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| | 15 | | 15 |
| Total Hours 120 |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Analyze and synthesize the relationship among multiple disciplines of study.
- Identify and recognize cultural differences and the impact of an educated citizen and responsible member in global society.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate ideas using a variety of different media (oral, written, visual).
- Develop an understanding of ethical behavior and decision-making in the workplace.
- Develop knowledge of a specific area of professional emphasis of activity.
