Bachelor of Professional Studies

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Apply by 10/17/22 | Start Class 10/24/22

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Program Overview

Would a bachelor’s degree change your career path? Are you a working adult, military veteran, or active-duty service member with career goals that include a college degree?

Offered by the College of Liberal Arts at USI, the 100% online Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) offers a flexible, affordable path to a college degree. We will personalize a program that integrates your previously earned college credits, technical education, military service, and professional training.

The Individual Studies is the most flexible pathway, focused on meeting graduation requirements and career goals. The Applied Studies pathway has a common core of 21 credit hours and six concentration areas.

Gain a degree that matters, no matter your age.

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Are you an adult over the age of 25 living in Indiana, interested in pursuing higher education? You may qualify for up to $2,000 with the Adult Student Grant offered by the state! See below to read more on how you can utilize this grant in our BPS program, or visit the website directly.

Adult Student Grant Article

Adult Student Grant Website

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The Bachelor of Professional Studies program is offered to adult learners with prior college experience, technical training and/or military experience who wish to complete a bachelor's degree that can enhance their career opportunities.

Before you begin, we'll analyze your previous college credits, professional training, military service and other educational experience. We'll help you devise a personalized degree plan, progressing you toward the Professional Studies degree track that best fits your career goals. All BPS degree options are individualized programs and specific degree requirements for each should be discussed with the academic advisor.

Applied Studies Major

The Applied Studies Major must complete 33 hours of coursework, including the 21 hours in the BPS Applied Studies Core and an additional 12 hours from one of six concentrations.

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Applied Studies Core Curriculum

The BPS Core includes the following three (3) credit hour courses:

BCOM 231 - Business Communication
BCOM 331 - Corporate & Managerial Communication OR CMST 318 - Conflict Resolution
POLS 351 - Leadership in Bureaucratic Organizations US
PRFS 301 - The Ethics of Global Engagement
PRFS 401 - Teams, Diversity, & Leadership
PRFS 490 - Professional Studies Internship
PRFS 498 - Personal & Professional Development

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Crime and Justice Concentration

For the adult learner working in law enforcement or criminal justice careers in probation or corrections, etc.

The remaining 12 hours of Criminal Justice (CRIM) courses are listed below.

CRIM 234 - Introductions to Corrections
CRIM 244 - Police & Society
CRIM 301 - Criminal Justice Administration
CRIM 315 - Crime Control Strategies

Some requirements may be substituted with directed electives approved by the BPS Program Advisor.

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Cybersecurity Concentration

For the adult learner working in information technology, database management, software or programming careers.

The remaining 12 hours of Computer Information Systems (CIS) courses are listed below.

CIS 367 - Data Communications*
CIS 345 - Information Security and Risk Management
CIS 346 - Cybersecurity Assessment and Network Defense
CIS 349 - Special Topics in Cybersecurity

Some requirements may be substituted with directed electives approved by the BPS Program Advisor.

*CIS 201 - Business Processes and Information Systems is a pre-requisite for 300-400 level CIS courses.

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Early Childhood Education Concentration

For the adult learner working in a preschool or child care setting.

The remaining 12 hours of Education (EDUC) courses are listed below.

Please note: This program does not lead to licensure as a teacher. Please work with the USI Teacher Education Department to pursue teacher licensure.

EDUC 241 - Early Childhood Education
EDUC 255 - Growth & Development of Infants and Toddlers
EDUC 344 - Family, Schools & Community Partnerships
EDUC 437 - Classroom Mngt-Data Based Decisions

*Some requirements may be substituted with directed electives approved by the BPS Program Advisor.

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Organizational Leadership Concentration

For the adult learner working in business and industry and interested in expanding opportunities for leadership.

The remaining 12 hours of Communications Studies (CMST) courses are listed below.

CMST 314 - Organizational Communication
CMST 318 - Conflict, Mediation & Negotiation
CMST 321 - Communication & Workplace Relationships
CMST 323 - Communicating to Manage and Lead

*Some requirements may be substituted with directed electives approved by the BPS Program Advisor.

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Public Service Concentration

For the adult learner working in a human service agency, non-profit organization, or government agency and aspires to increased abilities to drive public policy, advocacy, and organizational effectiveness.

The remaining 6 hours in Political Science (POLS) and 6 hours in English (ENG) courses are listed below.

POLS 104 - Introduction to Public Administration
ENG 210 - Technical Writing
ENG 319 - Fundamentals of Grant Writing
POLS 363 - Public Organizational Behavior

*Some requirements may be substituted with directed electives approved by the BPS Program Advisor.

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Health Services Concentration

For the adult learner working in a healthcare setting and aspiring to career opportunities in management and leadership.

The remaining 12 hours in health services subjects are listed below.

HP 211 - The Healthcare Delivery Systems and Healthcare Policy
PH 284 - Public Health
HP 498 - Current Concepts in the Health Professions
HP 377 - Foundations for Health Promotion

*Some requirements may be substituted with directed electives approved by the BPS Program Advisor.

Individual Studies Major

For the student with unique educational and career goals and the desire to complete a customized plan of study.

This major requires 9 hours of courses in Professional Studies (PRFS), including:

PRFS 301
PRFS 401
PRFS 498

The Individual Studies major allows BPS students to develop a course of studies that meets unique educational and career goals. Students who choose this major work with the program advisor to create a list of USI courses that fulfills these goals and meets all remaining graduation requirements. This proposed plan of study is reviewed by the BPS program advisor for approval.

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Delivery & Technology Requirements

Courses within the BPS Program are offered entirely online using a learning management system. Access to a reliable computer with internet access is required.

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Program Goal & Student Learning Objectives

Bachelor of Professional Studies Program Goal

Students will develop analytical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills applied to diverse topics that will equip them to be flexible and effective problem-solvers and advance their careers.

Bachelor of Professional Studies Student Learning Objectives

All Students will demonstrate proficiency in these skills:

Demonstrate effective communication skills in a variety of settings
Identify and assess the meaning and impact of diverse perspectives, conditions, and situations
Analyze and integrate knowledge to effectively solve problems or answer questions

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Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Professional Studies students must meet the following degree requirements:

CORE 39 - This is the newest version of the Core Curriculum adopted for students admitted or readmitted Fall 2014 or after. Students must choose the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science pathway through the CORE 39.
Minimum GPA of 2.00/4.00.
Minimum of 30 credit hours completed at USI.
Minimum of 39 credit hours from courses listed at the 300-400 level.
Minimum of 120 total credit hours.