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Bachelor of Professional Studies
Nearly 1 in 10 Rhode Islanders didn’t finish their degree — are you one of them?
RIC's adult degree completion program can help you finally cross the finish line!
With our Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) program you don't have to wait any longer. We understand that adult students are balancing work, family, finances, and countless responsibilities—so we designed the BPS with that in mind. Finish your degree your way, with the support, built-in flexibility, and affordability that you need!
Why Earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies at Rhode Island College?
- 100% online and fully asynchronous – no live classes, no commuting, no schedule conflicts.
- Just $370 per credit, a flexible and manageable course load built for working adults, and the chance to earn credit for your work and life experience.
- In-demand areas of study – choose from two concentrations, each paired with a Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUS)
- Our Organizational Leadership concentration students earn a CUS in Management and our Social Services concentration students earn a CUS in Nonprofit Studies.
- Accelerated structure – fall and spring semesters are divided into two 7-week sessions, and you'll take two courses per session
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Apply Today for Free
We're waiving the application fee for BPS applicants planning to begin their studies this spring. Simply enter waiver code GOBPS2026 when completing your application for Spring 2026. Take the next step in advancing your career with a program that understands the needs of adult learners.
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More than a dozen offices provide supports to students, including those w/ disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+, low-income & first-gen students.
Hear from a Student
Jonathan Menard
“I instantly knew that this was my time, and if I was going to finish my degree this would be the best way to do it. I refused to fail....Don’t hesitate. Just do it. If you have the desire, make it happen.”
- BPS Graduate
Program Flexibility Made it Possible
Trio of BPS graduates bonded over class projects and diversity.
Program Details
Admissions Requirements
- 24 years or older at time of application
- 5 years of documented comprehensive work experience and/or military training
- a minimum of 24 earned college credits from a regionally accredited college or university (Your transcripts must come directly from the college or university in an official, electronic format. Paper copies or unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.)
- a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher
- no prior bachelor’s degree earned
Please Note: Current RIC students (still active as degree students) who wish to change their major to the BPS need to submit a Change of Major Request to BPS Form.
General Program Requirements
- completing a minimum of 120 college credits (including up to 75 transfer credits)
- completing a concentration: 36–39 credits
- completing required general education courses: 40 credits (some of which may be from prior earned credit)
- prior learning portfolio and/or elective credits may be used, if needed, to reach the 120 credits for graduation
Required General Education Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BPS 100 | Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio Development |
| FYW 100 | Introduction to Academic Writing |
| ENGL 230W or ENGL 231W or ENGL 232W | Workplace Writing, Multimodal Writing, or Public and Community Writing |
| MATH 139 | Contemporary Mathematics or any math course numbered 177 or higher |
| PHIL 206 | Ethics |
| Arts & Humanities | One 100-level or higher course in art, dance, film, English (literature), history, modern languages, theatre |
| PSCI 250 | Science as a Way of Knowing (or any college level science course) |
| SOC 208 | The Sociology of Race & Ethnicity |
| SOC 306 | Work & Organization |
Please Note: Organizational Leadership students may count ECON 200 and Social Services students may count SWRK 325 towards four of the remaining general education credits. Prior earned college credit will be evaluated to see which may be used to fulfill remaining credits to reach the minimum of 40 required General Education credits.
Concentration Requirements
You will choose either the Social Services Concentration or the Organizational Leadership Concentration
Social Services Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BPS 461B | Seminar in Social Services |
| COMM 333B | Intercultural Communication |
| HPE 410B | Managing Stress and Mental/Emotional Health |
| NPST 300B | Institute in Nonprofit Studies |
| NPST 301B | Financial Management for Nonprofits |
| NPST 402B | Staff and Volunteer Management for Nonprofits |
| NPST 404B | Communications and Resource Development for Nonprofits |
| SWRK 325B | Diversity & Oppression II |
| SWRK 326B | Generalist Social Work Practice |
| SPED 461B | Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders |
Total Credits: 35
Organizational Leadership Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ACCT 201B | Principles of Accounting I: Financial |
| BPS 460B | Seminar in Organizational Leadership |
| CSCI 102, CSCI 141, CSCI 157, or CIS 252 | Computer Science Elective |
| ECON 214B | Principles of Microeconomics |
| FIN 301B | Financial Management |
| MGT 201B | Foundations of Management |
| MGT 320B | Human Resource Management |
| MGT 335B | Process Management |
| MKT 201B | Introduction to Marketing |
Total Credits: 34
Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition + Fees Per Semester (2025-2026)
- $370/credit
- $14/credit ($109 max) technology fee
- $8/credit ($55 max) library fee
- $24/credit ($286 max) BPS student fee
