Bachelor’s Degree in
Professional Studies
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- On Campus
- Online
- Hybrid
You’ve been out in the world; you have a job; you may even have some college under your belt.
Now all you need is a degree. At Monroe’s School of Business and Accounting, you can finish what you’ve started with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies.
We designed the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Professional Studies specifically for adult learners: students can earn prior learning credits not only for their previous college experience, but for work experience, military experience, and more. Adult learners have adult responsibilities, which is why we’ve also created a degree-completion program that offers unparalleled flexibility.
We also know that you’re going back to college because you have a clear picture of what you want from life. That’s why the BS in Professional Studies is customizable. You can focus on the specialization of your choice — so you can prepare for the career you want.
Find Out About Our Online Professional Studies Bachelor's Degree
Why a Major in Professional Studies?
You won’t be surprised to hear that a bachelor’s degree can greatly increase your ability to advance professionally. Adults who finish their bachelor’s degree are 43% more likely to find employment than high school graduates; and 36% more likely than people who’ve completed some college without earning an undergraduate degree. As an adult learner, you've already achieved a lot in life; with a degree in Professional Studies, you can go even farther.
Curriculum
Professional Studies majors know what they want to accomplish. It’s our job to help them do it, with a career-focused curriculum that teaches real-world skills. That’s why, in addition to 30 credits of core courses and 30 credits of general education courses, students take 30 credits of open electives and 30 credits in a specialization of their choice. Students can choose to concentrate in:
- Accounting and Business Management
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Information Technology Management
- Health Services Administration
- Hospitality Management
- Human Services Administration
- Public Health Management
Your advisor will help you tailor a professionally-focused curriculum that meets your specific goals. Whatever those may be, the Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies will help you develop the leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills employers are always looking for.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Professional Studies Degree?
The BS in Professional Studies is a fully-accredited, 120-credit undergraduate degree program. Students must complete 60 credits of specialization courses and open electives, and 60 credits of general education and related courses. How long it takes can depend on how many prior learning and transfer credits you can apply toward your degree.
Professional Studies majors can transfer up to 90 credits toward their degrees. Prior learning credits are determined by the relevance, substance, and extent of each student’s practical work experience. You won’t have to figure it out on your own, either: our dedicated support team will help you to compile a Prior Learning Portfolio by assessing your history of:
- Prior college courses
- Professional work experience
- Workforce and military training
- Specialized professional certifications
- Recognized college-level examinations (e.g., CLEP)
- Prior independent research or study
- Volunteer work
- Community activities
Professional Studies majors must complete a minimum of 30 credits at Monroe University — the equivalent of two (2) semesters of study.
The School of Business and Accounting also offers online and hybrid programs that offer even greater flexibility. Learn more about applying to Monroe as an adult learner.
Professional Studies Integrative Capstone Project
In their final semester, Professional Studies majors combine everything they’ve learned from both their coursework and their real-world experience to design, execute, and present a career-focused research project centered around their chosen specialization. As they develop their project, students will refine their oral and written communication skills; gather and analyze data; and develop their project management skills in collaboration with others. Students will also develop an ePortfolio of their work that they can then present to potential employers.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Professional Studies program must submit:
- Either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
- A completed application for admission, as well as a personal statement or essay.
Applicants may also participate in an optional pre-admission interview.
Tuition and Financial Aid
How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Professional Studies Cost?
Going back to school is a big decision; it means you’re invested in your success. So are we. That’s why we do everything we can to maximize that investment — by providing a quality education that’s affordable, too.
We offer competitive tuition and fees, manageable payment plans, and comprehensive financial aid services that are second to none. From the moment you apply, you’ll work with a dedicated financial aid counselor who will help you find every grant, scholarship, and loan for which you qualify. We even offer Corporate Partnership Grants to eligible students who work for one of our more than 400 partner organizations.
For years, Monroe has made U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Best Value Schools among Regional Universities North. We’ve worked hard to earn our spot on that list; and we’ll continue to do so for years to come.
Your Professional Studies Career
Our Professional Studies program lets you focus on what you need to achieve your specific career goals. It’s an extremely flexible, extremely customizable degree; every Professional Studies major works with an advisor to determine a curriculum that best fits their individual needs.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies, you’ll have the professional skills you’ll need to embark on a new career. Depending on your concentration, you’ll be ready to take on administrative and management positions in accounting, business, criminal justice, IT, health and human services, or public health.
Professional Opportunities
At Monroe University, we believe real-world learning is just as important as what you learn in the classroom. That’s why Professional Studies students have the opportunity to take an internship in their area of specialization as a part of their curriculum.
As a Professional Studies major, you’ll also have the opportunity to join some of the many clubs and organizations related to your area of interest, including:
- The Allied Health Club — Join students from the School of Allied Health Professions to launch health education programs both on campus and in the surrounding community.
- The Criminal Justice Club — Along with students from the School of Criminal and Social Justice, you can learn from visiting experts in the field, then apply what you learn to community initiatives you develop together.
- The Human Services Club — Members develop projects that strengthen ties between the Monroe community and various New York City human services organizations.
- The Information Technology Student Association (ITSA) — Along with students from the School of Information Technology, you can use your combined skills to help support businesses in the surrounding community.
There are also several other organizations for students in the Schools of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts and Business and Accounting. No matter which direction your career takes, you’ll find ways to earn valuable experience before you graduate.
Discover What You Can Achieve
If the only thing standing between you and your goals is an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor’s in Professional Studies can make all the difference. You don’t have to start from scratch; you can build on all the hard work you’ve already done.
When you finish your degree at Monroe, you open yourself to a world of new career options — and all that hard work will pay off.