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Online Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies

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Earn Your Degree as Early As:
Admissions
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
35
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit (Term Based)
4 Years
Average Completion (Term Based)*
15 Hours/Week
Course Effort (Term Based)

Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies Overview

Take charge of your education and build your own customized degree. Use your past experience toward your Purdue Global bachelor’s and get the credit you deserve.

  • Gain skills employers in any field need — such as strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, analytical, and communication skills. Learn to work in and lead diverse teams.
  • Design your own open degree and Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) with curriculum from Purdue Global and beyond.
  • Apply transfer credits from past college courses, life experiences, open courses, examinations, military training, or other experiential learning toward your degree.
  • Select an optional concentration to further build your expertise and set yourself apart: industrial/organizational psychology, supply chain logistics, or leadership.

Choose a Pathway to Your Bachelor’s

Choose from two online pathways to your bachelor's in professional studies: term based or self-paced, independent study.

Traditional Term-Based Independent Self-Study
Take courses on a set pace on scheduled terms Go at your own pace until the last course
Earn credit by passing Purdue Global courses Earn credit by passing Assessments of Skills and Knowledge (ASKs)
Choose eligible instructor-led courses that align with your ILP Choose from the list of ASKs that align with your ILP
Tuition based on per-credit-hour pricing Monthly tuition fee, ASK fees, and tuition for the capstone course
Eligible for financial and military aid for those who qualify Self-pay
Outstanding loans may be deferred Outstanding loans cannot be deferred

First Step: Create Your ILP

Work with a Purdue Global faculty Advisor to custom design an ILP that meets your professional aspirations and interests:

  • Create your career goal statement.
  • Review your previously earned college credits.
  • Evaluate your prior experience for college credit.
  • Learn what you need to do to complete the degree program.
  • Identify potential course assessments and other ways to fulfill degree requirements.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Develop Your Professional Skills

Study topics like project management, problem solving, and strategic planning. Complete your final capstone class by creating a portfolio to showcase your learning.

Your Experience Counts at Purdue Global

Complete our credit for work and life experience online course to build an online portfolio of your past accomplishments. Get college credit for what you’ve already achieved and learned.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

Get Started

What Courses Will I Take?

In the bachelor’s degree program, you’ll complete the core and major requirements and choose electives that support the goals developed in your ILP. Each course is taught by an experienced professional with extensive real-world knowledge.

Sample Courses

  • Bachelor's Capstone in Professional Studies
  • Communication and Conflict
  • Communicating Professionalism
  • Arts and Humanities—Modern Creative Expressions
  • Discovering Science—Current Issues in a Changing World
  • Engagement—Civic- and Citizen-Driven Public Policy
See Professional Studies Degree Plan

Program Requirements

9
Core Courses
13
Major Courses
13
Elective Courses
35
Total Courses
180
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

3-Week Trial

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

How It Works

Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.

Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

Program Outcomes

  • Knowledge and Skills: Investigate issues and solutions to improve professional practice.
  • Problem Solving: Analyze information from multiple sources to provide solutions to problems in diverse professional contexts.
  • Strategic Thinking: Develop long- and short-term plans for success in the workplace.
  • Continuous Improvement: Synthesize data-driven approaches to making decisions and improving professional practice.
  • Career Outcome: Recommend a program-based solution to address an issue in a professional career field.

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Professional Studies Concentrations

Focus your degree in one of three optional concentrations.

  • Leadership

    Build foundational knowledge of leadership by learning the importance of communication, organizational behavior, and how to manage team dynamics as you learn how these skills fit into the big picture of an organization.

  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology

    Learn how principles of psychology can improve the effectiveness of a business organization. You will develop an understanding of how to manage and motivate talent, develop your leadership potential, and how to accurately assess improvements needed for organizational behaviors.

  • Supply Chain Logistics

    Gain an understanding of the planning and management activities in the complex world of supply chain logistics. You will learn the principles of source, conversion, and logistics while learning how to apply necessary qualitative and quantitative methodologies related to supply chain management.

Get a Head Start on Your Master's Degree

Complete your master’s degree sooner with a graduate program pathway. It weaves graduate-level courses into your bachelor’s program, giving you a jump on your master’s degree requirements. You’ll save on time and tuition compared with finishing both programs separately.

Plus, your degrees don’t have to be in the same fields. You can customize your academic journey to support your career goals and interests. To learn more, view the University Catalog or connect with an Advisor.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Tuition Case Study: From Small Business Professional to Purdue Global Student

One student was awarded more than $45,000 toward tuition for work experience and prior learning. What would your unique experience save you?

After several roles in small businesses, this student accumulated a wealth of knowledge — and it was worth college credit at Purdue Global. After submitting an experiential learning portfolio, they were awarded credit for 8 courses in their degree plan. Combined with transfer credits, they were already 70% of the way to graduation.

Estimated Remaining Classes: 10

Estimated Remaining Terms to Graduation: 5

Tuition Quarter Credits
BS in Professional Studies
 $66,780 180
 Purdue Global Portfolio Credits -$14,824* -44
 Sophia Learning Credits -$9,275 -25
 Anthem Institute Credits -$21,147 -57
Total Savings/Credits Awarded $45,246 126
Remaining Tuition/Credits $21,534 54

*Includes a $1,500 portfolio review fee.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Free Credit Evaluation

You could be closer to your degree than you think. Contact an Advisor for a free evaluation of your prior learning, work experience, military training, and other life experiences.

Career Opportunities

Earning your bachelor's in professional studies from Purdue Global can prepare you for a wide variety of career outcomes, depending on your interests, background, and previous work experience. Begin a new career or prepare to pursue opportunities in a number of rewarding fields.

Average Salary

Range

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take a Career Assessment

Discover your work interests, and use them to chart your ideal career path.

Take an Assessment

Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our associate's and bachelor's degrees in professional studies and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

View Brochure

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

54%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

484

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

More Than 40,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Credit for Prior Learning: Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit from any of these sources. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is based on U.S. Department of Education criteria and is determined from data submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may also be required to submit supporting documentation as part of a verification process to determine eligibility for financial aid. Subscription-based program models are not eligible for Title IV federal financial aid.

Graduate Program Pathways: To start a Graduate Program Pathway, students should consult with their Student Advisor to confirm eligibility. Not all Graduate Program Pathways are available on all tracks, and some may require students to meet academic standards to continue taking graduate courses in their bachelor’s degree program. Visit the University Catalog for more information.

Three-Week Trial: Students who inform Purdue Global they do not wish to pursue the program during the 3-week trial will not be charged. Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial, and will need to meet other specific requirements. Classes will be applied toward a degree if satisfactorily completed and students select to continue their studies at Purdue Global. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Graduate programs and BS in Professional Flight not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.

Tuition Case Study: Source: Purdue Global Office of the Registrar, September 2023. Totals paid to Purdue Global for the degree do not include amounts paid to other institutions. Individual experiences and savings will vary. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.