Bachelor of Professional Studies Redesigned to Support a Changing Workforce

Few careers fit neatly into a single category anymore. A project manager could be asked to analyze data. A healthcare professional may rely on technology to do much of their job. A cybersecurity specialist might need leadership and communication skills to move projects forward.

According to Lightcast, more than 8.2 million jobs nationwide fall within occupations commonly associated with interdisciplinary and professional studies backgrounds. With more than 850,000 annual openings and a projected growth of 6.3% through 2035, employers will continue to seek workers with strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

The redesigned Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degree at the KU Edwards Campus (KUEC) is built to help meet these growing needs by connecting workforce demand to academic design.

The undergraduate degree combines career-ready skills with flexible academic pathways, helping students prepare for a wide range of careers while contributing to the region’s workforce and economic vitality.

Starting in fall 2026, the BPS degree will give students more ways to customize their academic and career paths.

Previously, students selected one of three concentrations: data analytics, project management or health sciences. Under the new structure, students instead can choose from a much broader range of minors, including cybersecurity, health sciences, project management, nutrition, criminal justice, information technology, professional performance and many more.

The new BPS curriculum builds on that approach, letting students shape their education around their career goals while developing the skills employers demand.

Broad skills support workforce development across Kansas City

Programs that combine specialized knowledge with professional skills can strengthen the talent pipeline serving Johnson County and the greater Kansas City region. The redesigned BPS program supports workforce development by helping students prepare for changing job needs and gain expertise in fields important to the region.

Many of the program’s minors connect with industries that play a significant role in the local economy, especially healthcare, skilled technology and cybersecurity. As demand for professionals in these fields continues to grow, employers will value graduates who bring multiple areas of expertise even more.

“The BPS as a degree is designed for the modern regional workforce, flexible enough to meet students where they are, practical enough to connect directly to employer needs and broad enough to prepare graduates to help strengthen the economic vitality of Johnson County and the greater Kansas City region,” said Professional Studies Program Director Jordan Atkinson.

Whether graduates pursue opportunities in healthcare, technology, business or emerging fields that don’t yet exist, they will possess the experience and agility to remain competitive.

“The redesign is less about changing the identity of the program and more about sharpening it,” Atkinson said. “We are making sure students can clearly see how each part of the degree helps them grow as professionals, prepare for advancement and communicate the value of their KU degree to employers.”

The redesigned program is intentionally built for adult learners, transfer students and working professionals who want flexibility while building practical skills they can immediately apply in the workplace. According to Atkinson, this change adds a stronger sense of structure, purpose and career alignment.

Building the skills employers value

The BPS curriculum incorporates the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career-readiness competencies for students:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Leadership
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
• Technology
• Career and self-development

The program also prepares students to work in modern environments by emphasizing practical professional skills and thoughtful use of emerging technologies, including AI.

More than 96% of employers recently surveyed by NACE identified communication and critical thinking as essential competencies for new graduates. These skills are integrated throughout the BPS courses and reinforced through applied learning experiences, including presentations, workplace scenarios and collaborative projects.

“Students do not just learn about communication, leadership, teamwork and professional development in the abstract,” Atkinson said. “They practice these skills through applied projects and career-focused experiences that help them prepare for today’s workplace. These core competencies, combined with the new minor options, position graduates to be competitive in a wide range of industries.”

Rather than focusing on single disciplines, KU Edwards Campus aims to help students graduate with practical skills that can transfer wherever they want to work.

Putting professional skills into practice

One example of the program’s real-world approach comes through the professional studies capstone experience. Students develop a workplace training program tailored to modern workforce needs. They create presentations, training manuals and other materials that could be used in an actual organizational setting.

By developing these practical tools, students demonstrate their proficiency in professional communication, leadership and critical thinking, while also applying a deep understanding of how adults learn and grow in the workplace.

“The School of Professional Studies is committed to meeting the evolving workforce needs of the Kansas City region,” said Stuart Day, vice provost of the KU Edwards Campus and dean of the school. “The redesigned Bachelor of Professional Studies program gives students greater flexibility to customize their degree and to tailor it to the career path they want to pursue.”

Preparing students for long-term success

As industries evolve, professionals need more than technical expertise alone. They need a foundation that allows them to adapt, communicate effectively and prepare for today’s jobs — and for careers that may continue to change throughout their lives.

“One of the strengths of the BPS degree is that it is not locked into one narrow career path,” Atkinson said. “It gives students a strong professional foundation while allowing them to shape the degree around their interests and career direction.”

KU Edwards Campus continues to provide workforce-relevant educational opportunities that help students build meaningful careers and lifelong success while supporting employers that drive economic growth across Johnson County and the greater Kansas City region.

Cutline: The flexible Professional Studies degree allows students to shape their education around career goals while developing the skills employers demand.