We are no longer accepting new applications for the Bachelor of Professional Studies program.

Within the BPS program, students will complete 30 core credits, and 30 credits related to their respective major.

Core Courses

Introduction to Professional Studies.
This core BPS course introduces students to the professional environment, the skills and attributes that are required for success in that environment, and interpersonal, organizational, and professional framework that each leader must navigate (3 cr.)

Digital and Professional Communication.
This course provides the profession with knowledge of the importance of communication in the workplace; with skills in digital, written, oral, and interpersonal communication; and with the ability to apply those skills to successfully accomplish the work of the organization (3 cr.)

Critical Thinking, Research, & Presentation
The ability to analyze problems, to conduct and use research for decision-making, and to share those decisions with others in the organization are all important in the career success of the professional. This course emphasizes the process of collecting, analyzing, and using information to document and solve a problem or challenge in the workplace (3).

Technology for Information-Based Organizations
Technology is a critical component for any organization or business. This course focuses on network technology, common professional software programs, technology requirements and supports, and information management in the workplace (3 cr.).

Ethics in Professional Life
This course provides a broad overview of ethical behavior in professional life, and addresses corporate culture and expectations, workplace behavior and interpersonal interactions, and parameters for ethical decision-making (3 cr.).

The Legal Environment
Positive work environments, mutual respect, appropriate behavior, and compliance/regulations are all factors that influence life at work and within any organization. The Legal Environment is a survey course that addresses legal requirements for managers, workers, and clients; codes, regulations, and laws; and processes to maintain a safe and productive work culture that is safe and responsive for all staff and employees (3 cr.).

Leadership in the Workplace
This course explores the role of the leader at work, covers the different leadership styles, and encourages students to identify and actively use their own leadership style. Hands-on opportunities for leadership will be available throughout the course (3 cr).

Human Diversity in Social Contexts.
Diversity is one of the highlights of life in American society, and this course provides opportunities for students to read about, discuss, analyze, and write about the ways in which diversity enhances, but also challenges, the workplace. Application of theory to practice is a main focus for this course (3 cr.).

Public Advocacy and Negotiation.
This course addresses ways in which the professional in the workplace can advocate for key constituent groups, and negotiate a pathway to consensus even in the most challenging situations. Tools such as arbitration, mediation, facilitation, and presentation will be covered in this course as students learn the basic tenets and applications of these key skills (3 cr.).

The Professional Internship.
The BPS Internship is a capstone for the BPS degree, occurring at the end of the student’s course of study, and requiring hands on application of key theories and practices learned through the degree. May be completed in the student’s current place of employment, if appropriate (150 hours, 3 cr.).

 

Early Childhood Education Courses

Home, School, and Community.
This course provides the foundation for the ECE program by introducing students to the relationships and intersections that make up the home-school-community partnership, which comes together to support and facilitate student success (3 cr.).

Individualized Skill-Based Assessment.
This cornerstone course emphasizes the program’s focus on special education at the earliest levels, and provides early childhood teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach and work with young children who require special education services (3 cr.).

Interventions in Early Childhood.
Early intervention is a well-recognized approach to educating young children. This course provides a review of theories and best practice for early intervention in the ECE classroom (3 cr.).

Social, Emotional, and Physical Development.
This courses provides an overview of theory and practice associated with learning through play, art, music, action, and physical activity, and prepares the student for the active learning classroom (3 cr).

Behavior Management within the Classroom.
An overview of the tools, methods, and measures used in the early childhood setting to assess student performance and abilities, and to design and implement early interventions is presented through the content and delivery of this course (3 cr.).

Differentiating Instruction.
Educators have long understood the importance of teaching students according to level, need, and ability, while simultaneously ensuring that all relevant content is covered and mastered. This course emphasizes a variety of methods to successfully differentiate instruction for early childhood learners (3 cr.).

Accommodations and Interventions in Special Education.
This survey courses focuses on applications and tools for technology use in and outside of the early childhood classroom, emphasizing both software and hardware applications as well as collection and management of information (3 cr.).

Cognition and Language Development.
Early language assessment and teaching provide the most effective foundation for growth as an English Language Learner. Students in this course learn the techniques and theory that support ELLs in the ESOL or inclusion classroom (3 cr.).

Center Management, Leadership, and Supervision.
A classroom or center is only as effective as a teacher’s ability to successfully manage it. This course covers the key concepts, theories, and practices associated with positive leadership both in/out of the classroom, and at the center or unit level (3 cr.).

Observation and Supervised Teaching in Early Childhood Education.
Students will apply their learning of theories, concepts and best practices to a supervised observation within the ECE classroom or center. This observation will be in preparation for the final professional internship of this program (3 cr.).