The University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies has launched a new accelerated Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS), creating a faster pathway for adult learners to complete their bachelor’s degree.

The program is the first and only reduced-credit bachelor’s degree of its kind in Colorado. Applications are open now and the program officially starts in Fall 2026.

A Faster Path to Finishing a Bachelor’s Degree

The online program is designed specifically for students who have already earned some college credit but never finished a degree. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it offers a more efficient route to graduation while still providing the top-quality educational experience expected from DU.

“We recognize that for many people, a bachelor’s degree is necessary for unlocking career success,” said Dr. Bobbie Kite, dean of DU’s College of Professional Studies. “This program is designed to remove that barrier as quickly and efficiently as possible, respecting students’ existing knowledge and experience.”

The Accelerated Bachelor of Professional Studies requires 136 quarter credits, compared to the traditional 180 credits required for most bachelor’s degrees. Students must have completed at least 24 quarter hours (or 16 semester hours) to be eligible for admission to the program. By reducing overall credit requirements and focusing on applied, career-relevant coursework, the program helps students earn their bachelor’s degree more quickly and affordably.

The first BPS major offered will be Information Technology, with plans to introduce additional majors beginning in 2027.

Built for Working Adults, Focused on Career-Ready Skills

The accelerated bachelor’s degree emphasizes practical skills and real-world application, valuing the experience nontraditional students bring to the table. The degree responds directly to the who have prior coursework and industry experience, but are limited without a completed degree.

“We are incredibly proud to offer this innovative degree in Colorado,” said Kite. “Our aim is always to make a University of Denver education as accessible as possible. This degree opens doors for more people than ever.”

The BPS credential can be listed as a bachelor’s on a resume or LinkedIn, the same as any other bachelor’s degree. Graduates of DU’s bachelor’s completion programs are sought-after in their industries.

Interested learners can apply anytime to start in the fall or start this summer as a non-degree seeking student. For a free transcript review to see how many credits you’re able to transfer in, contact the program’s Enrollment Advisor.

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by Nika Anschuetz, University of Denver Writer
First published on the

EUCAST CEO Jaehyeong Kim boarded a plane from South Korea to Denver in March. He came to meet his first American interns — University of Denver students.

His company is a leader in advanced wireless telecommunications access. In Colorado, it hopes to expand wireless broadband access to rural and remote communities and businesses.  

“I decided to establish the company in the U.S. I’m not going to bring Korean people to America. I’m going to hire 100% in America,” Kim says.

DU students from University College and the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science will help with marketing, communications, media relations and product testing.  

Ana Loor Mendoza, a student of organizational leadership, was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. Following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, who started a hardware company in Ecuador, Mendoza will serve as EUCAST’s project manager and product marketer.

“It’s great to see so much business headquartered in Denver. I think it says a lot about the opportunities not just in Denver, but also at the University,” Mendoza says.

The partnership was facilitated by Jim Ducay an adjunct professor in the Daniels College of Business and co-founder of the Colorado Universities Innovation Council (CUIC).

“They’re coming to the U.S. to say, ‘We have technology. There are more opportunities. Let’s understand what you’re doing and understand the U.S. market,’” Ducay says.

So far, EUCAST envisions use of its technology on Native American reservations, rural municipalities, the Colorado Department of Transportation and even industrial markets such as oil and gas.

EUCAST takes existing technology and creates a private network, using the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS).

In 2020, the FCC authorized full use of the CBRS for wireless provider commercialization, allowing providers to deploy 5G networks without licenses. EUCAST is not interested in becoming the next AT&T or Verizon, however. Instead, it’s leveraging its technology to deploy in areas without reliable broadband.

“The goal is to provide those municipalities with a network they can operate on their own. They aren’t in business to be like, this is a $50/month plan. This is for private deployment in the public,” Ducay says.

DU’s partnership with EUCAST highlights a larger collaboration with CUIC. The nonprofit sees the whole as greater than the sum of its parts. By putting collaboration first, it multiplies opportunities for students across Colorado.  

“It’s not to take away from the academics. We fully believe we need the best engineers, the best marketing people and the best finance people,” Ducay says.

The current work is only beginning, though — a 30-week opportunity made possible by Kim’s dream to launch in America.

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U.S. News & World Report has ranked multiple online programs at the University of Denver among the top 100 in the nation. Today, the publication unveiled its 2022 Best Online Programs rankings.

Three online programs within University College are ranked by the publication. �ճ����bachelor of arts completion program��is now ranked No. 47, up 20 spots from last year. This program allows students to receive a fresh academic start by transferring up to three years of previous college credit towards a bachelor’s degree from DU. The online bachelor’s business program is ranked No. 51 by U.S. News. This is the first year this program has made the rankings.

�ճ����master’s degree in information and communication technology��is ranked No. 47 by U.S. News. Students in this program focus on bridging the gap between business requirements and technical solutions.

“These rankings are helpful for prospective students making a decision about their education and for current students in the program to reinforce their decision to attend the University of Denver,” says Michael McGuire, dean of University College. “Our high-engagement model and curriculum continue to evolve in response to current and future educational and professional needs to ensure students are prepared to advance in their careers.”

U.S. News has been creating school rankings for online degree programs since 2013. The publication evaluates both undergraduate and graduate programs based on several general categories — engagement, services and technology, faculty credentials and training, expert opinions, and student excellence. To view the complete rankings, please��.

Article first printed by the DU Newsroom and author Jon Stone. To learn about other university-wide online program rankings, read the full .

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Key Takeaways

• The bachelor’s completion program at the College of Professional Studies is designed for adults with some college credit who are ready to finish their degree on a flexible schedule.
• Students benefit from career-focused courses that align with industry needs, allowing them to apply new skills immediately in the workforce.
• Online delivery and supportive advising make the program accessible to working professionals balancing multiple responsibilities.
• Returning to school as an adult is a transformative experience that can unlock career advancement, salary growth, and personal fulfillment.

Do you have previous college credit, but have yet to finish your bachelor’s degree? Get a fresh academic start and finish the undergraduate degree you started years ago through the Bachelor’s of Arts Completion Program at University College.

Is this program right for you? We truly have built our program around adults who are seeking flexibility in completing their degree. Bachelor’s completion program by the numbers:

• Students can transfer up to three years of previous college credit
• 20 percent of our students are from out of state
• 10 percent of our students are in the military
• 35 is the average age of our students

You can complete your bachelor’s degree in communication, global commerce and trade, global studies, healthcare administration, Information Technology, and Leadership and Organization Studies entirely online from wherever you are.

We also have more options to help you further achieve your education goals.

Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Degree Options

Looking to accelerate your time to degree completion while reducing the cost of pursuing both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree? The combined degree option through the University of Denver’s University College offers you the opportunity to just that!

Geared for adults who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree simultaneously, the combined degree option at University College offers a unique dual experience. By substituting two graduate courses for two undergraduate courses, you can reduce the total number of courses and overall cost of your programs.

One in 10 of our bachelor’s students pursue the combined master’s program. You can visit our website to view all of the combined degree options, including two brand new combinations.

“We’re pleased to announce two new pathways within the combined degree option,” said Michelle Kruse-Crocker, Bachelor’s of Arts Completion Program academic director. “For your bachelor’s degree, if you major in Leadership and Organization Studies, you can now combine with the Nonprofit Leadership master’s degree program. If you major in Healthcare Administration, you can now combine with the Healthcare Management master’s degree program.”

To qualify for the combined degree, you must earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA in your bachelor’s completion courses at the University of Denver. Interested in learning more? Connect with academic advisor,��, to explore your options.

A bachelor’s completion degree can pay off in more ways than one. DU graduates report stronger career mobility, higher earning potential, and new opportunities after finishing their degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

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