Skip to content

Online Bachelor of General Professional Studies

Students in classroom with faculty

Apply Credits to Your Bachelor’s Degree in General Professional Studies

100% Online

18 Months

39 Major Credit Hours

$450 per Semester Credit Hour

Request More Information

Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.

Gain a Bachelor’s Degree and a Professional Portfolio in 18 Months

Complete your bachelor’s degree while preparing for today’s fast-paced careers. Benedictine University’s online bachelor’s in general professional studies features asynchronous courses that hone your skills in emotional intelligence, change management, relationship development, problem solving, decision making and more. As you study, you’ll build professional competencies that apply to every career.

Program Highlights

Request Info

Professional Studies Degree Program Highlights

Curriculum

Discover Engaging, Fully Online Professional Studies Courses

39 Major Credit Hours

120 Total Credit Hours

In your online general professional studies degree, you’ll learn from videos, podcasts, personalized content and other interactive media. Each course helps you develop targeted professional competencies. Then, your instructors will help you put together a comprehensive portfolio that showcases resilience, adaptability and readiness to thrive.

Course Highlights
  • GPS 3400 Cognitive Flexibility & Problem Solving I
  • GPS 3700 Cognitive Flexibility & Problem Solving II
  • GPS 4000 Emotional Intelligence, Collaboration & Success
  • GPS 4100 Language and Culture: Navigating Differences
  • GPS 3200 Sustainability & Citizenship
Curriculum Details

Admissions Requirements

Apply for the General Professional Studies Degree Quickly and Easily

Application Deadline August 25, 2025

Start Date August 25, 2025

From application to graduation, we want your experience at Benedictine to be great. When you’re ready to apply to your program, complete a free online application and provide the required documents. You’ll need official transcripts showing at least a 2.0 GPA to apply for the bachelor’s degree in general professional studies.

Call us at (866) 295-3104 or request information to speak with an admissions counselor who can guide you through the decision and admissions process.

Online Application FormApply Now
DegreeAssociate degree preferred but not required.
TranscriptsSubmit official transcripts from your previous regionally accredited institution(s) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 based on a 4.0 system.
Transfer Credits

Awarding of credit is determined through the process of transfer credit evaluation and/or program/departmental approval.


Students pursuing this major will need to complete general electives to fulfill the University requirement for 120 credit hours toward graduation.

Credit for Work/Life ExperienceStudents can submit Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) portfolios for a maximum of 12 general elective credit hours.
  • Students must complete all requirements of the PLA program within one year of starting their degree program.
  • Only portfolios that demonstrate sufficient mastery of a course’s learning outcomes can earn credit.
International Students

We welcome international students into the B.A. in General Professional Studies program. For admission, prospective international students must submit proof of English proficiency. Visit the Undergraduate International Admission page for more information about application materials, procedures and requirements.

Undergraduate TOEFL/IELTS RequirementsUndergraduate international students must meet the following TOEFL or IELTS requirements:
  • TOEFL Internet-Based Test: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
Under certain circumstances, the English Proficiency requirement may be met without the official TOEFL or IELTS. Click here to review all requirements for undergraduate international admission.

Get Support for Your Journey to an Online Degree

At Benedictine University, we’re dedicated to assisting you throughout the admissions process. From the time you apply to your first week of class, an admissions counselor will work closely with you to aid your success. Visit our Admissions Hub to learn the steps you’ll complete to begin your online program, along with opportunities for students with transfer credits and military experience.

Admissions

Tuition & Aid

Explore Tuition for the Online Bachelor’s in General Professional Studies

Calculate your cost for attending BenU Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.  

Benedictine University’s online bachelor’s degree in general professional studies is an affordable way to position yourself for advancement. We make it possible to invest in your education so you can complete your bachelor’s degree, elevate your salary potential and pursue rewarding new career opportunities.

Cost per Credit Hour$450
Total Number of Credit Hours39 major credit hours
Total Estimated Tuition$17,550
Additional Fees$40 per semester credit hour
Other Costs to Budget ForTextbooks, course supplies and loan fees are not included in the tuition estimate.

Proud to Support Our Military Students

Benedictine University is grateful for the service of the men and women of the U.S. military. We participate in the Yellow Ribbon program and offer a Military Scholarship to active-duty and veteran service members. Additionally, our admissions team can help you make the most of the education benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Learn About Tuition and Financial Aid

We strive to provide valuable returns as you progress through your online program and career. To make your program cost-effective, we can help you explore financial aid options, scholarships, military benefits and more. Plus, learn how tuition reimbursement programs help you save money while earning a career-aligned degree.

Tuition Details

“I was extremely impressed with how much the professors invested in their curriculums as they were all curated for the program – they were easy to navigate with an appropriately challenging workload.”

–Phil Coote, GPS Major, BA – Benedictine University, Class of 2022
Professional studies student shaking hands with professor

Boost Your Career Prospects and Salary Potential

The competencies you acquire during your online bachelor’s degree in general professional studies can transfer to diverse industries and fields, such as business, communications, education, government, health care, social services and more.

Your bachelor’s degree leads to a higher salary potential in nearly any career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with an associate degree made $1,058 per week in 2023, while those with a bachelor’s degree made $1,493.1

Explore Careers

Potential Jobs for General Professional Studies Graduates

Project Management Specialist $100,750 2023 median annual wage2

Human Resources Specialist $72,910 2023 median annual wage3

What You’ll Learn

Because each professional studies course is structured around competencies, you’ll focus on building specific capabilities. You’ll be able to create tangible artifacts showing mastery of those competencies and collect them in a portfolio.

Program Outcomes

Benedictine’s online B.A. in General Professional Studies helps you achieve the following competencies for each course.

“The fully online program was fantastic! It allowed me to work, stay connected with my family, and complete the program at my own pace. I never thought I could achieve what I did, but it was an incredible experience.”

–Tanya Barrett, GPS Major, BA – Benedictine University, Class of 2023

Follow Our Faculty to the Forefront of In-Demand Fields

Benedictine University’s faculty members bring tremendous professional experience to the classroom. As distinguished instructors and industry leaders, they commit to publishing new findings and pioneering new possibilities in their fields. Thanks to our small student-to-faculty ratio, you will receive personal support throughout your online program.

Martin Tracey

Martin Tracey, Ph.D., Director of General Professional Studies; Board Member, International Albertus Magnus Society; Member, American Philosophical Association; Member, Association for Core Texts and Courses

Faculty Spotlight: Martin Tracey, Ph.D.

Martin Tracey, PhD, is Director of General Professional Studies and Professor of Philosophy at Benedictine University. His scholarly research concerns the moral thought of medieval Latin intellectuals such as Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas. A veteran teacher and administrator, Dr. Tracey teaches courses on a range of subjects including business ethics, environmental ethics, and ancient Greek philosophy. His recent teaching includes the courses “Anti-Misinformation” and “Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.

Education

  • Ph.D. (medieval philosophy), University of Notre Dame
  • M.A. (medieval studies), University of Notre Dame
  • M.A. (religious studies), University of Chicago
  • B.A. (theology), University of Notre Dame

Flexible Online Courses That Foster Success

Benedictine University strives to provide a highly engaging experience to online students. We deliver courses via an easy-to-use learning management system that incorporates innovative instruction and helps students remain productive. Thanks to the asynchronous format of our courses, you can study when and where you prefer while getting the flexibility needed to meet your personal and professional responsibilities.

  • Take online courses of the same quality as our on-campus programs
  • Benefit from curricula rooted in the latest research and continuous improvement
  • Network with your instructors and classmates around the world
Discover Benedictine Online

Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Employment Projections: Education Pays.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Project Management Specialists.” April 18, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Human Resources Specialists.” April 18, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm.