College of Education and Professional Studies
Professional Studies
Bachelor of Applied Science | Major
Professional Studies, BAS
The Professional Studies Bachelor of Applied Science is designed for working professionals who want to finish their degree and advance their careers.
This flexible program builds on your prior education and experience with a curriculum focused on real-world skills. You’ll gain knowledge you can use right away and prepare for new opportunities in your field. Save time and money by turning what you already know into college credit.
Questions? Contact Us.
Professional Studies
At the Center of a Better Future
What You'll Study
Explore the specialization areas offered within the Professional Studies program.
General Specialization
Create a degree that fits your career goals with the Professional Studies core and two of the following certificates:
- Administrative Management
- Innovation through AI
- Insurance Management
- Project Management
- Public Health and Risk Management
Project Management Specialization
Gain skills to plan, budget, assess risk, and manage performance while strengthening leadership and communication.
- Complete the Management Certificate
- Choose either Administrative Management or Project Management Certificate
Leadership Specialization
Develop leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills to guide teams and manage change. Choose two of the following:
- Change Management and Quality Assurance
- Management Certificate
- Project Management Certificate
Risk, Insurance, and Safety Management Specialization
Learn workplace safety, risk assessment, and insurance principles to protect people and organizations. Choose two of the following:
- Risk Management
- Insurance Management
- Public Health and Risk Management
Occupational Safety and Health Management Specialization
Build skills in hazard recognition, incident investigation, and safety management systems to lead workplace programs. Complete both:
- Public Health and Risk Management Certificate
- Occupational Safety and Health Management Certificate
Real-World Skills
Gain practical experience through projects and work-based learning you can apply right away. Build confidence as you connect classroom learning to real workplace challenges.
Career Growth
Prepare to move up in your current job or start on a new professional path with confidence. Graduate with skills that employers seek across industries.
Flexible Options
Take courses on your schedule and turn work, military, or life experience into college credit. Save time and money by earning credit for what you already know.
Leadership and Communication
Develop the decision-making, collaboration, and problem-solving skills employers value most. Strengthen your ability to lead teams and drive positive change.
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Engagement Learning
Learn by doing with hands-on projects and work-based experiences that connect directly to your career. Apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges, build confidence, and prepare for immediate impact in your workplace.
Certificates
Customize your degree with certificates that focus on in-demand skills like project management, leadership, innovation through AI, and public health. These stackable options let you tailor your studies to your goals and add valuable credentials to your résumé.
Online
Take classes from anywhere with a program designed to fit your schedule. The fully online format makes it easy to balance school, work, and life while completing your degree.
What is Prior Learning?
Prior learning includes knowledge, skills, and competencies gained outside a traditional college classroom, such as:
- Life experience
- Work experience
- Corporate training
- Military training
- Professional certifications
- Licenses
- Self-study
- Volunteer work
These experiences are evaluated by discipline-specific faculty to determine if they are equivalent to college-level coursework.
Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL)
College credit may be awarded through assessments that evaluate learning gained outside the classroom, including:
- Life experience
- Work experience
- Corporate training
- Military training
- Professional certifications
- Licenses
- Self-study
- Volunteer work
Credit is granted for the learning gained from these experiences, not for the experience itself, and must be equivalent to college-level learning at the undergraduate or graduate level.