Michael J. Frasciello, Dean
700 University Ave.
professionalstudies.syracuse.edu
About the College
The College of Professional Studies is the home of part-time and professional studies at Syracuse University. The College offers market-sensitive and professionally focused online and on campus undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, credit certificates, and work-force ready alternative credentials, such as badges, micro-credentials, non-credit certificates, and executive education. The College also offers unique and innovative pre-college programs for high school students, and language and cultural development programs for matriculated and non-matriculated international students. Part-time commuter undergraduate, visiting students, and non-matriculated students and graduate students attending Syracuse University schools and colleges are supported by the College of Professional Studies’ commuter Part-time Studies advising team.
The College of Professional Studies provides part-time students with personalized academic advising, financial aid, registration, and bursar services. To find out how you can earn an SU degree part-time or to begin by taking a course, attend an Information Session, call for an appointment with an academic advisor (315-443-3261), or e-mail parttime@syr.edu.
Undergraduate Programs
Degrees
College of Professional Studies’ Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degrees are innovative, market-sensitive, career-focused programs available online.
All part-time Syracuse University students earning an associate or bachelor’s degree may enroll for 11 or fewer credits each semester. Part-time students have the option of taking day, evening, online, or flexible format classes. Click here for a complete listing of all degree programs available to part-time students.
Certificates
College of Professional Studies undergraduate and graduate credit certificate programs are available online. All credit certificates are designed as an interim stackable credentials toward degree completion and as stand-alone certificates.
General Regulations
For academic rules and regulations applying to all University students, see the Academic Rules section of this catalog, which also contains special regulations that apply to College of Professional Studies students. The regulations below apply to all students matriculated through the College of Professional Studies for the Bachelor of Professional Studies degrees, certificates and minors.
Minimum Requirements for Degree, Certificates and Minors
At least 120 credits of coursework are required for the BPS degrees. To be eligible for graduation, BPS students must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses taken at Syracuse University. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 2.0 in courses counted toward completion of their program of study.
Minimum Requirements for Certificate
At least 15 credits of coursework are required for the certificates. To be eligible for graduation, certificate students must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses taken at Syracuse University. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 2.0 in courses counted toward completion of their certificate.
Minimum Requirements for Minors
College of Professional Studies minors are open to all Syracuse University undergraduate students in good standing. Minors require a minimum of 18 credit hours, 12 of which must be in 300- to 400-level coursework. No courses may be taken as pass/fail. Students must declare the minor no later than the first semester of junior year. At least 12 upper division credits must be uniquely counted toward the minor. The remaining 6 credits may be shared with the major.
Declaring a Program of Study
BPS students must declare a program of study by the time they have reached junior standing.
Prior Learning Assessment for Bachelor of Professional Studies
Under the guidelines of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), The College of Professional Studies recognizes that adult students may bring with them transfer credits from accredited American colleges and universities, credits from approved institutions in other countries, performance in college-level or proficiency examinations and/or prior college-level learning gained from work and life experiences.
A maximum of 30 credits from the combination of advanced credit, prior learning assessment and/or credits earned through nontraditional programs may be applied toward the number of credits required for graduation. These credits may not be applied to the 30-credit residency requirement. A maximum of 12 transfer or other credits may be applied in the program of study.
Students must be matriculated in a BPS program to apply for prior learning assessment by developing a portfolio of prior college-level learning that identifies and documents the learning and how it applies to the individual’s degree program. Further information is available from Office of Online Student Success, 315-443-3256.
Transfer Credit Policy
A maximum of 90 transfer credits will be accepted. No more than three credit hours earned in another college or university may be accepted to the credit certificate program requirements.
Bachelor of Professional Studies
Associate dean: Ryan O. Williams, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of Practice, College of Professional Studies, rywillia@syr.edu
Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degrees are flexible undergraduate degree designed to bridge practical skills with academic learning. All Syracuse University BPS degrees require professionally focused “major” courses, core professional competency course, and core liberal arts courses.
BPS programs provide the specific skills and credentials employers seek when hiring and promoting employees, equipping graduates with competencies needed to keep pace with evolving workplace demands. The emphasis on professional coursework means students spend more time learning directly applicable workplace skills.
Contact the College of Professional Studies at 315-443-9378, or email parttime@syr.edu
Office of Microcredentials
Arthur Thomas, Executive Director, Professor of Practice, College of Professional Studies, apthomas@syr.edu
The Office of Microcredentials offers non-credit, executive education and continuing education programs that meet the growing demand for non-credit education opportunities as “professionals strive to stay competitive in their fields. For lifelong learning and career advancement, these programs build skills and knowledge in demand by top employers and graduate schools. Microcredential programs are smaller than a full degree program and allow students to meet personalized learning needs by gaining knowledge and skills relevant to academic or professional goals. The Office also administers Syracuse University digital badges, which are representation of specific skills, achievements, or competencies earned and verified, displayed as an image with embedded metadata that proves its authenticity as a Syracuse University credential.
Office of Pre-College Programs
Chris Cofer, Executive Director, clcofer@syr.edu
High school students can explore college majors and potential careers in college-level courses at Syracuse University. In the Accelerated Semester Online program, high school students can take 3-credit 8-week online courses during the academic year. In the Summer College program, high school students are immersed in the full college experience and can choose from 100+ credit and noncredit courses in ten of Syracuse University’s schools and colleges. For more information, contact the Office of Pre-College Programs at 315-443-5000 or precollege@syr.edu, and visit https://precollege.syr.edu/.
Office of International Programs
David Lind, Director, dtlind@syr.edu
English Language Institute
English Language Institute (ELI) courses are designed for international students and professionals who are interested in short-term or long-term study to improve their English skills. This full-time intensive program is offered through the College of Professional Studies. Five levels of Academic English courses are offered. Many of the students have been conditionally admitted to Syracuse University and need to increase their English proficiency before enrolling in a degree program. Completion of the level 4 (high intermediate) course will waive the university’s TOEFL requirement for most undergraduate and some graduate programs.
Highly qualified instructors, a great deal of personal attention and intensive exposure to English language instruction enable students to make the necessary progress. Enrollment is limited and admission is by application only. For more information about the ELI, call 315-443-8571, email elimail@syr.edu, or visit the website at eli.syr.edu.
Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program
The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) for part-time students, administered by the College of Professional Studies, is designed for first-time college students and transfer students from other opportunity programs. It provides academic and financial support for people of all ages who, because of educational and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend college. This is the only HEOP program for students who can study on a part-time basis in New York State.
For more information on the HEOP program, call 315-443-3261 or visit the web site.
Major
- •
AI in Business Process Automation, BPS
- •
Applied Data and Predictive Analytics, BPS
- •
Business Management, BPS
- •
Cybersecurity Administration, BPS
- •
Healthcare Administration, BPS
- •
Interdisciplinary Studies, BPS
- •
Knowledge Management, BPS (No Longer Admitting Students as of Fall 2025)
- •
Liberal Arts, AA
- •
Liberal Studies, BA
- •
Organizational Development and Leadership, BPS
- •
Policy Studies, BPS
- •
Project Management, BPS
- •
Studies in Computer Programming, BPS
Minor
Certificate