Professional MBA student walking in the city
Adult & Continuing Studies Programs

Professional Studies (AS/BS)

An online associate's or bachelor's in professional studies will give you the interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in today's competitive job market.

Apply Now
Request Info
  1. Academics
  2. Adult & Continuing Studies Education Programs
  3. Professional Studies (AS/BS)

At a Glance

Click to Open
Offered as

Associate's & Bachelor's

Format

100% Online

Part-Time

Credits

Associate's: 61

Bachelor's: 121

Transfer up to 90 credits for Bachelor's

College/School

On This Page

Explore the Professional Studies Programs

Earn a dynamic degree that reflects your personal interests and professional goals. The 100% online part-time professional studies AS and BS programs allow you the flexibility to explore new topics while earning a powerful and portable degree.

The associate's degree in professional studies will help you structure an academic course of study with the guidance of a dedicated faculty advisor. This degree can be easily transitioned into the bachelor's.

The bachelor's degree is open to those holding an associate's degree in applied science from a regionally accredited institution. You can apply credits in your area of expertise through professional licensure or prior college coursework. With the option to customize your degree with the selection of a minor or fast track to a master's degree, you'll deepen your studies and develop meaningful professional skills.

When you graduate, you'll be on the inside track to achieving your professional goals and thriving in a career that makes you happy.

Professional Studies Program Options

You have the power to choose your path and customize your education with the associate's in professional studies. After taking core courses in writing, civic engagement, and effective communication, you'll be able to study what interests you most. Taking a variety of classes from history, math, science, humanities, and social sciences will give you the well-rounded, flexible skills you need to succeed.

Students must meet all requirements for graduation including:

  • Minimum of 30 credits at Widener
  • A GPA of 2.0 in the major
  • An overall GPA of 2.0 or better
  • The required writing enriched courses
  • A score of 5 on the writing sample within 18 months of graduation
  • Completion of MATH 111 or higher
  • Successfully complete all courses and requirements

Visit the academic catalog to view curriculum and coursework requirements for the Loading.... 

A bachelor's of science in professional studies will open you up to a world of career and life possibilities.

Your basic studies will consist of foundational courses in civic engagement, writing, information systems, effective communication, humanities, and social science studies. After that, you'll have the freedom to choose the courses that interest you most. You'll complete your education by creating a transformation capstone project to showcase all you've learned.

Students must meet all requirements for graduation including:

  • A minor must be selected with the bachelor degree
  • Minimum of 30 credits at Widener including 15 credits within the minor
  • A GPA of 2.0 in the major
  • An overall GPA of 2.0 or better
  • The required writing enriched courses
  • A score of 5 on the writing sample within 18 months of graduation
  • Completion of MATH 111 or higher
  • Successfully complete all courses and requirements

Visit the academic catalog to view curriculum and coursework requirements for the bachelor's degree

If you’ve ever thought about earning your master’s degree, take advantage of our accelerated graduate program options. Once admitted into the program, you will take up to 9 credits of graduate-level courses that will count towards both your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Complete your master’s degree in as little one year in one of the following areas: 

You may apply once you reach 90 credits in your bachelor’s program or upon Associate Dean approval. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to apply. 
 

Career Outlook & Outcomes for Professional Studies Students

Avg. Salary

$73,000

Median annual salary of a professional studies graduate.

Source: PayScale

Potential Careers

  • Operations manager
  • Systems administrator
  • Project manager
  • Paralegal
  • Countless others

Industry Growth

Employment of management occupations is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations by 2032, creating over 1 million job openings per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Why Choose Professional Studies at Widener?

extended learning woman studying

Fuel Career Growth at Your Own Pace

With 100% online courses, the professional studies programs are designed to meet the needs of busy working adults. Choose to start with the associate's, transfer up to 90 credits to your bachelor's degree, pick a minor, or level up to your master's degree with just one additional year of study.

No matter your schedule, you can complete coursework at your pace by learning in a flexible, online format that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

extended learning personalized experience

Build a Supportive Network of Industry Insiders

Your education will stretch beyond the online classroom as you build relationships with driven classmates, engaged alumni, and powerhouse faculty who take the time to get to know you personally in small, engaging classes. Along with your dedicated faculty advisor, you'll meet many industry insiders, creating a meaningful network of connections that will follow you long after graduation.

Professional Studies Program Highlights

Top Online College in PA

Ranked a top online college in Pennsylvania

Source: Guide to Online Schools

Our Faculty

Charlene M Brown headshot
Charlene M. Brown
Adjunct Faculty

Widener offers the opportunity to get a well-rounded perspective on a variety of excellent fields of study. In a thorough and engaging manner, Widener provides students a solid foundation for the next (or first) step in their careers and beyond.

View All Faculty Explore Faculty Research Interests

Admissions & Aid

Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!

Admissions Information

The professional studies programs accept students on a rolling basis; there is no deadline for application.

Here, you can transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree—more than most universities accept. You can also receive credit for prior learning—such as certificates, CLEP exams, military service, and more.

Students who have completed an approved allied health program and have an active certification can turn their certification into course credits by receiving transfer credit towards their associate's or bachelor's degree. 

Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.

Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator. 

Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there! 

Learn more about applying as a transfer student

Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world.

Want to know what it's like to be an international student or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. 

This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey.

Learn more about applying as an international student

*Visa and financial aid not available for international undergraduate students in 100% online programs

Financial Aid

Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

You might be surprised how much we are able to offer.

Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources. Our school code is 003313.

In order to receive a financial aid offer, students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the general eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs:

  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Be enrolled or admitted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program

Learn more about applying for financial aid as an adult and continuing studies student

Paths to Savings

Widener Scholarships for Adult Learners

Widener is proud to offer several endowed scholarship opportunities to currently enrolled adult and continuing studies students. These scholarships are awarded by the Center for Graduate & Continuing Studies and made possible through generous donor gifts. And the best part? Unlike loans, scholarship awards are yours to keep without the need to pay them back. Students are also welcome to reapply every year.

Learn more about scholarship and grant opportunities

4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition

In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.

Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement

Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.

Explore Our Employer Partnerships

20% Discount for Widener Alumni

(some restrictions apply)

If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.

Learn more about qualifying for an alumni discount

Program Cost

Associate's Degree in Professional Studies

$689 per credit 61 total credits $42,029 total cost

Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies

$689 per credit 121 total credits $83,369 total cost

Tuition rates are subject to change. Official costs for your first year will be determined at time of enrollment.

Take the Next Steps

Visit Us

To visit Widener is, often, to fall in love with the place. To fit your timeline and schedule, we offer a variety of ways to get to know us.​

View Admissions Events

We offer a variety of virtual events to get to know Widener and meet with faculty and admissions staff.

Request Information

Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!​

Apply

Applying online is easy—and it's free! Have questions about your individual requirements? Request an in-person or virtual meeting with an admissions advisor for guidance prior to submitting your application.