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Build Professional Skills, Soar in the Workplace

Become a strong employee with the professional skills employers want most. American College of Education’s (ACE) Bachelor of Professional Studies program equips you with expertise in time management, self-directed action, communication, project management, collaboration and more. Plus, you can customize your program with a three-course focus of study in either Education or Management.

You’ll develop relevant, innovative practices that immediately apply to your work. A professional studies degree demonstrates your commitment to contributing to a healthy and positive work culture while accomplishing personal and professional goals.

All undergraduate programs at ACE are considered bachelor’s degree completion programs, which means they are designed for students with existing college credits. To complete the program, you must have an associate degree or a minimum of 60 credits to be admitted. ACE allows a maximum of 90 credits for transfer consideration – satisfiable through an approved educational institution, an ACE partner or completion of a proficiency exam.

Ready to see how close you are to finishing your degree? Get a free Rapid Review to find out how many of your previous credits can transfer.

Career Opportunities

Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.

Paraeducator

Creating an inclusive classroom environment is one of the most important components of K-12 and early childhood education in both private and public schools. Paraeducators stand at the frontlines of these efforts, supporting educators and the students whom they selflessly serve.

Expected Growth: 161,900 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $35,240

Business Manager

Business management is a wholistic leadership effort that encompasses overseeing organizational business activities from start to finish. This involves strategic planning, allocating resources to meet goals and supervising team members to execute vision-centric tasks and projects. Effective business management is critical to organizational growth and optimum operation. If you have a passion for business and a knack for efficiency, becoming a business manager may be a great fit.

Expected Growth: 1,200,000 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $116,880

Digital Marketer

Whether it’s an engaging blog, a unique web experience or a fun social post, a digital marketer is the behind-the-scenes expert looking to strategize, execute and assess marketing content performance. A digital marketer specializes in the data-driven components of marketing, most of which are designed to generate and convert potential customers into loyal brand ambassadors.

Expected Growth: 8%

Estimated Annual Wage: $156,580

Business Operations Manager

Effective businesses have streamlined processes and structures that allow them to operate smoothly, often resulting in successful revenue and lead generation. Behind such productivity is a business operations manager – sometimes referred to as a business ops manager – who is working behind the scenes to ensure operational functions perform optimally.

Expected Growth: 1,200,000 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $102,950

Operations Manager

Have you ever been to a doctor’s office or restaurant where your experience is efficient, smooth and organized? This kind of experience is led by effective operations management, where intentional processes, procedures and practices ensure efficiency. Whether it’s in a business serving customers or developing products behind the scenes, operations management is vital for quality, customer satisfaction and profitability.

Expected Growth: 6%

Estimated Annual Wage: $105,350

Client Success Manager

Customers are at the heart of every successful business, which elevates their satisfaction to a top priority. Whether it’s meeting a need or solving a problem, creating meaningful and effective customer relationships can catapult a business into a household brand with loyal followers.

Expected Growth: 6%

Estimated Annual Wage: $138,060

Corporate Trainer

Explore the role of a corporate trainer in enhancing employee performance and adapting to modern business challenges.

Expected Growth: 43,900 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $65,850

Grant Writer

Explore the grant writer career guide and learn how to secure funding for initiatives that make a real-world impact.

Expected Growth: 4,500 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $91,670

Program Details

The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies is a transfer-friendly degree completion program with a focus of study in either education or management. The program allows students to enhance their professional skills in a variety of areas such as collaboration, cultural awareness, organization, reflection, and self-efficacy.

Program Outcomes

Utilize digital tools and skills to improve time-management and efficiency. (A04)
Demonstrate skills including reflection and using appropriate judgement in professional environments to facilitate experiences addressing social awareness, and cultural sensitivity. (A03)
Select approaches which exercise multiple perspectives to engage team members as they consider evidence for generating new options which also help establish and maintain a climate of mutual respect. (A02)
Demonstrate self-control, endurance, and capacity to complete tasks while adjusting to changing situations and responsibilities. (A05)
Examine the appropriate essential employability skills necessary for effective communication, decision-making, initiative and problem solving. (A01)

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of

30 credits

Core Courses

GE4003 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Critical Reflection and Self-Assessment

This course focuses on helping students learn to analyze their strengths and weaknesses with a discerning eye. Through a series of exercises, students assess their strengths and how to harness them. Students also assess their challenge areas and determine ways to resolve them. Students will leave the course with a better understanding of how to utilize the best parts of their personality and skills for a force of good in society.

GE4013 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Collaboration and Teamwork

In an era of increasing collaboration, people entering the workforce now more than ever before need to understand the value of working with others. This course offers insight on how to be flexible when working with individuals and provides tips on how to exercise interpersonal sensitivity and take feedback gracefully without offense. Learners learn to recognize when it’s necessary to stand up for their ideas or compromise for the good of a team. The concept of synergy is discussed along with the different modes of persuasion and negotiation. Students also learn about the various jobs involving teamwork, including virtual opportunities.

GE4033 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Planning and Organizational Skills: Time Management

his course is designed to teach students the basic principles of planning and organization with a focus on time management. From keeping a day planner to using a digital organizer, students will learn about tools they can use to gain control of their busy lives. The concepts of to-do lists, prioritizing commitments, filing things away, and filtering out digital and physical clutter as strategies for improving efficiency are explored. Students address the challenges associated with procrastination and how to overcome it. Practical advice is provided on how to complete tasks in a timely manner, ways to approach seemingly difficult projects, and how to make commitments in line with personal and professional values and goals.

GE4073 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Self-Efficacy and Self-Directed Action

This course focuses on helping students learn how to independently structure their lives to better meet academic, personal, and professional goals. The concepts of self-efficacy, self-directed action, and self-awareness serve as the focal point as students learn to build confidence in their skills and take initiative toward attaining their aspirations. Emphasis is placed on developing lifelong habits that lead to greater productivity. Through a series of application-based exercises and reflective work, learners gain knowledge on how to take more control of their futures. Additionally, goal setting, resilience, and the drive to get things done are explored.

GE4083 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Professionalism and Leadership

This course focuses on leadership styles and the attributes necessary to lead with poise, confidence, and kindness. Students learn what professionalism is and how to apply it not just in leading others but in all their interactions. The importance and benefits of taking pride in one’s work is explored. Techniques to win over followers and others are examined along with attributes of professional interactions. Creating an environment and workspace that embodies professionalism is discussed. Students will leave the course with skills they can use to be more confident in leading and interacting with others.

PS4093 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Senior Capstone Experience in Professional Studies

No description available.

SOSC4003 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Global Skills and Cultural Awareness

This course is designed to help students learn to communicate effectively across borders, navigate cultural differences, and hone skills that will help them succeed globally. They will learn what it means to be culturally competent and culturally responsible. Hallmarks of cross-cultural communication are considered. Additionally, ways to harness the power of a workforce, along with suggestions on how to develop a global mindset, are presented. Ethnocentrism and the challenges associated with it are examined. Students will leave the course with a better understanding of where they fit in the world on a global scale and practical steps they can take to improve their chances for success in the global economy.

LEAD4003 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Collaborative Business Communication

The use of communication strategies is effective when messages are tailored for internal and external business audiences, as well as for interpersonal and intrapersonal purposes. Effective uses of social media and technology are also explored. Students will determine ways to lead difficult conversations as a leader, such as through conflict resolution and reviewing basic mediation concepts.

LEAD4033 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Project Management

Planning, organizing, controlling, and leading are crucial phases in managing projects. Emphasis is placed on resource allocation and balancing competing priorities related to human resources, time management, and technological resources. Students will identify ways to manage and develop a team to successfully complete a project.

LEAD4043 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Social Entrepreneurship in Business

Social entrepreneurship has an impact on national and international economies. Topics include the role of entrepreneurs as they attempt to advance and sustain social and economic change and legal structures for operating as a small business. Innovation, invention, discovery, and creativity are themes throughout the coursework. Students explore business models and outline their own entrepreneurial business plan.

College Catalog

Related Programs

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it's best for you.

July 13, 2026 Term

Jul 10, 2026

Application Due

Jul 10, 2026

Payment Due

Jul 13, 2026

Term Start

Jul 17, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Aug 16, 2026

Term End

August 24, 2026 Term

Aug 21, 2026

Application Due

Aug 21, 2026

Payment Due

Aug 24, 2026

Term Start

Aug 28, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Sep 27, 2026

Term End

October 05, 2026 Term

Oct 02, 2026

Application Due

Oct 02, 2026

Payment Due

Oct 05, 2026

Term Start

Oct 09, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Nov 08, 2026

Term End

November 16, 2026 Term

Nov 13, 2026

Application Due

Nov 13, 2026

Payment Due

Nov 16, 2026

Term Start

Nov 20, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Dec 20, 2026

Term End

Tuition

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Total Cost of B.A. in Professional Studies

Total Tuition

semester credit x $ per credit

Fees

Total Program Cost

Find a plan that fits your budget.

View Payment Options

Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.¹

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.² Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515

Average competitor total cost²

$9,655

Average ACE total cost^*

When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000^*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI

$1.2M

in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 85% graduation rate.³ Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories

85%

graduation
rate³

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services

24/7

student support
services

View Our Accreditations

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates with No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders from Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%

31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher²

86%

82%

Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,³ while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.³

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

See how we're different

Admission Requirements

ACE General Admission Requirements

Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
Submit the nonrefundable application fee. *
Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program. **
Secure electronic transcripts can be mailed to [email protected].

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.

**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

Minimum level of education required: Associates degree or 60 undergraduate semester hour credits
Minimum grade point average 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for full admission
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 1.75 on a 4.0 scale for provisional admission

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES-recommended agency.
Texas applicants for licensure programs may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.
Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening and Writing.
The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C).

¹Lightcast Study

²Internal research conducted November 2025

³Student Right to Know

⁴Education Data Initiative accessed on January 28, 2026

Let's Get Started

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