KU Edwards Campus Redesigns Bachelor of Professional Studies to Support a Changing Workforce

Few careers fit neatly into a single category anymore. A project manager could be asked to analyze data. Healthcare professionals may be required to rely on technology to perform many of their job functions. A cybersecurity specialist might need leadership and communication skills to move projects forward.

According to Lightcast, data shows more than 8.2 million jobs nationwide in 2025 were commonly associated with interdisciplinary and professional studies backgrounds. With more than 850,000 annual job openings and a projected employment growth of 6.3% from 2025 through 2035, companies will continue to seek workers with strong industry acumen coupled with communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

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

Supported by JCERT, 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.

The new BPS curriculum builds on that approach, letting students shape their education around their career goals while developing the skills employers demand. Starting in fall 2026, the BPS degree will offer 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 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.

Broad skills support regional workforce development
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 reflects JCERT’s workforce development mission by helping students prepare for changing job needs and gain expertise in fields important to the region.

Many of the degree’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 increasingly value graduates who bring expertise across multiple areas.

“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. We are ensuring 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.

Teaching the skills employers value
Rather than focusing on single disciplines, KU Edwards Campus aims to help students graduate with practical skills that can transfer to many careers.

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

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

It 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.”

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 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 degrees and tailor them to their chosen career paths.”

Preparing students for long-term success
As industries evolve, professionals need more than technical expertise alone. They need an education and experience that allows them to adapt, communicate effectively and prepare for jobs and careers that will change throughout their lives.

“One of the strengths of the new BPS degree is that it expands students’ career path options,” 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 achieve lifelong success, while supporting employers who drive economic growth across Johnson County and the greater Kansas City region.