In a major expansion of its commitment to access and lifelong learning, Cornell will launch a part-time, fully online Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degree program in August 2027.

Offered by the School of Continuing Education (SCE), the BPS degree will provide a flexible, career-focused pathway for adults to earn a Cornell undergraduate degree. The first BPS major, organizations, markets and society, will integrate business, economics, policy and social sciences. Applications will open in January 2027, with the inaugural cohort beginning coursework in fall 2027.

“Cornell was founded to be an institution for ‘any person,’ and accessibility is a central commitment that is key to our mission,” said President Michael I. Kotlikoff. “The online Bachelor of Professional Studies program will expand access to a Cornell education in entirely new ways, bringing a Cornell undergraduate degree within reach for working adults in many different life circumstances.”

Mary Loeffelholz, Cornell SCE dean, said the program reflects a growing demand. “Adult learners bring deep professional experience, perspective and motivation to the classroom,” Loeffelholz said. “This program is designed to honor that experience while providing the academic rigor, support and community that define a Cornell education.”

The program is built for working professionals and adults with some college experience but no undergraduate degree. Most courses will be asynchronous, with optional live sessions for discussion, collaboration and networking. Students may begin in either the fall or spring semester and are expected to complete the degree within five years.

Faculty from across Cornell’s schools and colleges will teach in the program, collaborating with Cornell SCE and eCornell to develop high-quality, engaging online learning experiences.

“The design of the program represents a forward-looking approach to education because it expands access beyond traditional student populations,” said Donna Haeger, BPS academic director, professor of practice in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and an expert in business analytics, who will teach Spreadsheet Modeling, where students will develop practical skills in building, analyzing and interpreting data.

Students will also have access to dedicated academic advising, career services tailored for adult learners, technical support for online learning and networking opportunities with faculty, peers and Cornell alumni.

All students will graduate with a curated digital portfolio and complete a community-engaged capstone project bridging theory and practice.

Coursework for the new major will include business fundamentals and management, economics and finance, marketing and entrepreneurship, data analytics, sustainability, global development and social equity. Graduates will build skills in quantitative analysis, data-driven decision-making, communication and ethical use of information, and will be prepared to analyze and address complex challenges facing organizations and communities.

“In my teaching, I help students develop strong analytical and data-driven thinking skills they can apply to complex, real-world challenges across many professional settings,” said Maria Fitzpatrick, professor and senior associate dean of academic affairs at Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, who co-developed one of the new degree’s foundational courses, Big Data for Big Policy Problems. “I’m excited about the Bachelor of Professional Studies because it will bring those skills to adult learners in a flexible format.”

Cornell plans to expand the BPS program over time by adding additional majors aligned with workforce needs and emerging fields. Future majors will draw on Cornell’s academic strengths and aim to include disciplines that support career advancement, community impact and lifelong learning.

The program is designed for adults seeking to complete their undergraduate degree, community college students and alumni and Cornell employees. To build a pipeline of eligible students, Cornell SCE is forging relationships with community colleges across New York state. Cornell SCE is also collaborating with the Cornell Prison Education Program to offer the degree to incarcerated adults at three correctional facilities in the region.

Applicants must be at least four years beyond high school graduation and have earned 45 to 60 transferable college credits from a regionally accredited institution. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is recommended, though applicants with lower GPAs may be considered based on professional experience and academic readiness.

Because the program is part-time and online, it does not support student visas. International students are encouraged to contact the program to determine eligibility.

Cornell has committed to making the BPS degree as affordable as possible. Preliminary tuition is $925 per credit hour, with need-based financial aid available to those who qualify. Students also are encouraged to explore employer tuition benefits and external scholarships. Part-time enrollment allows students to pay as they go, spreading costs over time.

“By offering this new degree design to nontraditional learners, students whose lives do not allow them to move to Ithaca will still have the opportunity to earn a Cornell degree,” said Haeger. “In this way, Cornell is extending its impact while continuing to foster lifelong learning and deliver high-quality, inclusive and industry-relevant education.”

Shelley Preston is communications specialist and events producer at the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions.