New SU degree targets future work-force members

CNY Business Journal (1996+), May 11, 2001 by Allen, Paul

SYRACUSE - Syracuse University is offering a new Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degree in the fall that, according to Chancellor Kenneth Shaw, will further contribute to the region's economic development, as well as benefit the local work force.

The new degree will spur economic growth "by giving local employers the benefit of a broadly educated work force that is more prepared to adapt to the changes and challenges in our competitive world today," says Linda Kristensen, publicrelations director at SU. "It's a very much applied, competency-based degree. It's not an abstraction - it has its feet in the real world."

The 120-credit degree, which was designed for adult part-time students, will include two required 30-credit cores liberal arts and professional competencies. The liberal-arts curriculum encompasses Courses in writing, social science, and ethics, while the professional-competencies credits include courses in critical thinking, leadership, conflict resolution, and budget and resource management. The BPS degree has four specialized programs of study: applied computer technologies, legal studies, organizational leadership, and professional communication.

Shaw said the degree represents careeroriented programs of study, built on a liberal-arts foundation, that enable people in the work force to enhance their professional competencies.

The degree is designed specifically for working adults, says Kristensen, calling it ideal for graduates of two-year schools, transfer students, and those who want to earn a second degree to change careers.

Although the curriculum was created by Syracuse University faculty members, Kristensen says that more than 20 area business leaders played a role in its development. Interviews with the leaders made curriculum planners aware of what specific skills were needed at large companies in the area.

William Allyn, chief executive officer of Welch Allyn Ventures, and chairman of the Business Council of New York, participated in the curriculum development. "The BPS degree can help the business community by enabling technical people to broaden their skills and by enabling generalists to develop specialties," said Allyn. "Either way, the BPS enhances the proficiency of our existing work force and that will help us overcome the shortage of skilled labor in the right job market. It is good to know that SU seeks to collaborate to help us with this challenge."

The home college for the BPS degree is University College, SU's continuing-education division, where SU part-time undergraduate admissions applications are accepted throughout the year. The entire BPS degree can be completed by taking evening classes, or any combination of daytime classes or distance-learning courses. And although students can begin nonmatriculated BPS courses immediately, Kristensen says that admission to the degree program in the fall is required to qualify for financial aid.