Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies
Complete your bachelor’s degree on your terms with the online Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies (BPS) from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS), delivered through UC Online.
This flexible program is built specifically for working adults, career changers, and degree completers in Cincinnati, Ohio, and across the country. Turn your real-world experience into college credit, customize your coursework around your goals, and accelerate your path to graduation—often in as little as 2 years.
Watch this short video to see how UC transforms professional experience into a respected University of Cincinnati bachelor’s degree.
The BA in Professional Studies is a 100% online bachelor’s completion program that blends your existing professional background with practical, employer-valued skills in areas like leadership, communication, data literacy, HR, management, and technology.
Unlike traditional degrees, the UC BPS program prioritizes credit for prior learning and personalized pathways so you don’t waste time retaking what you already know.
Key benefits include:
- Earn up to 18 credits for prior work experience, co-ops, military service, or volunteer roles.
- Transfer-friendly — bring in existing college credits.
- Customizable curriculum tailored to your career goals.
- Total program: 120 credit hours, with many students finishing faster through experience credits.
This program is ideal if you:
- Have some college credits but never finished your bachelor’s degree.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED and at least 4 years of professional or life experience.
- Want a flexible, 100% online format that fits around your job and family responsibilities.
- Live in Ohio (including Cincinnati or surrounding areas) or anywhere with internet access.
Whether you’re in Greater Cincinnati looking for local university prestige or searching for the best online bachelor’s degree completion programs for adult learners, UC’s Professional Studies degree offers a practical solution.
One of the biggest advantages of the University of Cincinnati’s online Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies is the generous credit for prior learning policy.
You can receive up to 18 credits toward the 120-credit degree by documenting your professional achievements. This can significantly reduce both time and cost, helping many students graduate in as little as 2 years instead of 4.
The program also features a dedicated Professional Studies Foundation Course that helps you map your experience to academic credit and build a personalized degree plan from day one.
The curriculum focuses on real-world, career-ready skills while allowing you to tailor electives to your interests (examples include HR, organizational leadership, digital competencies, and management).
Core outcomes include improved abilities in:
- Leadership and critical thinking
- Professional communication
- Data-informed decision making
- Problem-solving in diverse workplace settings
Every student works closely with faculty and advisors to create a track that aligns with their professional goals.
- Prestige and Flexibility: A University of Cincinnati degree, fully online and designed for busy adults.
- Fast-Track Options: Finish quicker with experience credits and transfer-friendly policies.
- Dedicated Support: Personalized advising, financial aid guidance, and student success resources.
- Strong Outcomes: UC programs emphasize skills employers demand in today’s job market.
Most students can finish in 2–4 years, depending on transferred credits and experience evaluation. The flexible scheduling and 100% online format let you study at your own pace while working full-time.
Ready to turn your experience into a University of Cincinnati Bachelor’s Degree?
Don’t let unfinished credits hold you back. Start your journey with the online Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies at the University of Cincinnati today.