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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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This is part 3 of our blog series on career outcomes.

• Part 1: Where Do Our Graduates Work?
• Part 2: What Job Titles Do Our Graduates Hold?
• Part 4: Are Our Graduates Sought-After?

����Vlog of Professional Studies designs our program to blend academic excellence with the skills, mindsets, and experiences that help graduates thrive in the workplace.

One of the clearest signs that this approach works?��Salary outcomes provided by our graduates.

Below, you can browse recent graduate salary data—and more importantly, what these numbers reflect about the learning outcomes inside each program. Our goal is simple: to help you see what’s possible. We want to give you the confidence that your education is an investment in your future.

Bachelor of Arts Completion Program

Median: $62,500 | Average: $96,700 | Max: $350,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
This program is designed to elevate adult learners—building critical thinking, communication, and applied leadership. The wide salary range highlights the diversity of student backgrounds and the life-changing impact of finishing a bachelor’s degree.

Master’s in Communication Management

Median: $68,000 | Average: $81,311 | Max: $150,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
Strategic communication, data-driven storytelling, conflict management, and digital strategy give graduates an edge in a rapidly evolving field.

Master’s in Environmental Policy & Management

Median: $75,000 | Average: $81,884 | Max: $184,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
This program prepares graduates to navigate environmental policy, sustainability strategy, climate resilience, and regulatory frameworks—skills that employers urgently need in both public and private sectors.

Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership

Median salary: $70,000 | Average: $70,191 | Max: $104,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
Graduates in Nonprofit Leadership learn how to mobilize people, resources, and missions. The strong salary outcomes reflect the program’s focus on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational management, and policy advocacy—skills that nonprofits increasingly value at a competitive level.

Master’s in Health Informatics

Median: $83,450 | Average: $91,314 | Max: $160,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
With its blend of analytics, clinical workflows, digital health, and systems design, the program prepares graduates for some of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare..

Master’s in Healthcare Management

Median: $62,500 | Average: $75,541 | Max: $150,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
Graduates build expertise in operations, quality management, policy, and patient-centered leadership—core competencies that hospitals and clinics value.

Master’s in Information Technology (IT)

Median: $77,500 | Average: $97,443 | Max: $230,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
Cloud systems, cybersecurity fundamentals, architecture, automation, and industry certifications prepare graduates for high-demand roles with strong earning potential.

Master’s in Organizational Leadership

Median: $111,000 | Average: $111,320 | Max: $210,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
Leadership theory, organizational behavior, change management, and strategic decision-making prepare graduates for high-level roles. These top-tier salary numbers show that leadership is not abstract—it’s actionable, valuable, and in demand.

Master’s in Professional Creative Writing

Median: $48,000 | Average: $104,099 | Max: $315,000

What this says about learning outcomes:
This program builds storytelling craft, publishing strategy, editing, narrative design, and content creation.

Master’s in Strategic Human Resources

Median: $78,000 | Average: $93,051 | Max: $393,120

What this says about learning outcomes:
This program integrates analytics, workforce development, leadership strategy, and organizational design. The exceptionally high maximum salary reflects the strategic value HR leaders bring to modern organizations.

Master’s in Supply Chain Management

Median: $72,000 | Average: $71,733 | Max: $73,200

What this says about learning outcomes:
Students learn logistics, procurement, forecasting, and systems thinking. Salary outcomes reflect a stable industry with essential roles across manufacturing, transportation, retail, and global commerce.

The Story Behind the Numbers

While every program has its own identity, the threads connecting them are clear:

• Our programs are applied, relevant, and built for working adults. Learning outcomes map directly to career advancement.
• Graduates see strong returns on their investment—financially and personally.
• Employers value the practical skills, leadership training, and adaptability our students develop.
• Your experience, goals, and passion matter just as much as the curriculum.

You can see our graduate employment guide to see, by program and industry sector, where our graduates work.

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE GUIDE HERE

Questions about our programs or career outcomes? Contact us at pscsupport@du.edu or call 303-871-2291.

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Key Takeaways

• Leadership transitions create opportunities for strategic growth and renewed institutional vision.
• Dean Bobbie Kite brings experience in academic leadership and workforce-aligned education.
• The college’s direction emphasizes accessibility, innovation, and student success. ��

�� ����Vlog of Professional Studies has a new dean! DU leadership has appointed Bobbie Kite, Ph.D., as the dean of the college, after serving as interim dean since July 2025. DU Provost Elizabeth Loboa made the announcement, noting Kite’s selection follows a national search and a unanimous recommendation from the search committee. “During a decade at the College of Professional Studies, Bobbie has achieved transformative outcomes,” Loboa said. “We look forward to the continued advancement of the college as a national leader in continuing and professional education during her deanship.” In her time at DU, Kite has played a key role in shaping the college’s direction and impact—advancing academic programs, strengthening operations, and championing student success. Before her appointment as interim dean, Kite held several leadership roles within the college, including Associate Dean of Academic Operations and Affairs, Director of Healthcare Programming, and professor specializing in the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Kite’s academic and professional background reflects a deep commitment to data-driven innovation. Prior to joining the University of Denver, she was jointly appointed to the Department of Biomedical Informatics and the Ohio State University Health Plan at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, where she also served as a postdoctoral fellow for the National Library of Medicine and later as a Clinical Assistant Professor. She holds a Ph.D. from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and a Master of Theological Studies from DU’s Iliff School of Theology. Looking ahead, —one rooted in portfolio diversification, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and sustainable growth through innovative programming and strategic partnerships. Her approach emphasizes the integration of real-world application with academic rigor, ensuring that the college continues to prepare learners for meaningful, future-focused careers. The university community extends its warmest congratulations to Dean Kite on her appointment. With her vision, energy, and collaborative spirit, the College of Professional Studies is well positioned for an exciting new chapter of growth, innovation, and impact. ��

Frequently Asked Questions

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Key Takeaways

• Graduates work across industries including business, healthcare, technology, nonprofit, and government sectors.
• Employer diversity reflects the adaptability and workforce relevance of professional studies programs.
• Career outcomes demonstrate alignment between academic programs and real-world job markets. ��

�� This is part 1 of our blog series on career outcomes.

• Part 2: What Job Titles Do Our Graduates Hold?
• Part 3: What Do Our Graduates Earn?
• Part 4: Are Our Graduates Sought-After?

When you’re considering a graduate program, one question looms larger than all others: Will this program help me advance my career? At the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies, we don’t just promise career outcomes—we track them. And the results speak for themselves.

From Disney to the Department of Justice: The Reach of Our Alumni

Our graduates aren’t just finding jobs. They’re advancing in careers that matter:

• Information Technology graduates are architecting systems in major tech companies, securing critical infrastructure for government agencies.
• Strategic Human Resources professionals are building workforce strategies that keep operations humming.
• Environmental Management specialists are driving sustainability initiatives, leading renewable energy projects and shaping climate policy.
• Communication Management graduates aren’t just in marketing—they’re at healthcare systems, technology companies, and government agencies.
• Health Informatics alumni aren’t limited to hospitals—they’re transforming data analytics across industries.

The Numbers Tell the Story

We have collected post-graduation employment data across all our programs from 2019 to 2025. The results reveal something powerful: our applied, career-focused education prepares professionals who can lead anywhere. Our alumni work at more than 1,000 different organizations spanning every sector of the economy. From Fortune 500 corporations to innovative startups, government agencies to mission-driven nonprofits, our graduates are making an impact.

Why This Matters

Traditional higher education often focuses on theoretical knowledge. We focus on what actually works in today’s workplace:

• Strategic thinking that translates across industries.
• Leadership skills that drive organizational change.
• Technical competencies that solve real problems.
• Communication abilities that influence stakeholders.
• Project management that delivers results.

This isn’t about getting a degree or certificate. It’s about building a career that can evolve as opportunities emerge.

See the Full Picture

We’ve compiled our graduates’ self-reported employment data into a comprehensive guide that shows exactly where our graduates work, organized by program and industry sector. This guide gives you a glimpse into the variety of roles that a College of Professional Studies degree can unlock. The guide breaks down employment outcomes for all our graduate programs:

• Communication Management
• Environmental Management and Policy
• Geographic Information Systems
• Health Informatics and Healthcare Management
• Information Technology
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Organizational Leadership
• Professional Creative Writing
• Strategic Human Resources
• Supply Chain and

Each section shows not just employer names, but describes career trajectories and transferable skills that make our graduates valuable across sectors.

Download the Complete Graduate Employment Guide

Ready to see where a College of Professional Studies degree or certificate could take you?

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE GUIDE HERE

The Graduate Employment Guide includes employer data reported by our graduates from 2019 – 2025. Additionally, the guide provides career pathway analysis and skills translation for all College of Professional Studies graduate programs. Questions about our programs or career outcomes? Contact us at pscsupport@du.edu or call 303-871-2291. �� ��

Frequently Asked Questions

��

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Key Takeaways

• Hung Dance is a contemporary Taiwanese dance company, and their work Birdy, presented at DU’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
• Performance, symbolism, and global perspectives in the arts can deepen understanding of culture, power, and change.
• The piece connects DU’s Enrichment Program and Newman Center offerings to lifelong learning in international arts and cultural literacy.

�� A feather is more than just a feather in the hands of Taiwanese dance company . Four feet long, it sweeps across a dancer’s neck—the dancer collapses. Later, it whips back and forth with the energy of the two dancers grappling with it in their hands. This pheasant feather, called a lingzi in Chinese, was traditionally worn on a warrior’s helmet. In Chinese opera, it’s used to express emotion and reveal character. In Hung Dance’s work , it represents something more: the vocabulary of tradition, maybe, or the vagaries of nature, or perhaps the struggle to fly free? These are the questions explored in , an artistically rich course offered this fall through the Enrichment Program. Taught by instructor Luke Wachter, the course will feed the eyes, mind, and spirit with new creative fodder and cultural insight. The course meets Nov. 5 and 12 and includes a live performance of Birdy at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on November 19. “This course gives you the context to have a really rich, deep aesthetic experience with this art,” says Wachter, who serves as the Newman Center’s associate director for educational initiatives. Hung Dance has burst on the dance scene as an innovative dance company that blends traditional Chinese arts—like Peking Opera and Tai Chi—with modern dance techniques. Course participants will learn about that dance history and how dancers use their bodies to create meaning. They’ll also learn why Hung Dance is important as an example of cultural diplomacy. “A small nation like Taiwan, for example, can’t achieve its aims through military strength, but there is a lot of power to shape global perception through the export of its culture,” Wachter says. The course will delve into the ways governments around the world support artists, what types of artists they support, and how this “soft power” is used to transmit ideas and values to the rest of the world. Last year another Taiwanese company, Cloud Gate, impressed audiences at the Newman Center with a buoyant multimedia performance. Hung Dance, meanwhile, is a younger company whose name (the Chinese character 翃 ��ó�Բ�) means “to fly” or “to soar.” Founder Lai Hung-Chung describes Birdy as an exploration of the tension between limitation and freedom. The production won acclaim at the 91st American Dance Festival and has sold out theaters across the U.S. “It’s really interesting work,” says Wachter. “It is very much inspired by the movement of individual birds and flocks of birds, and you’ll recognize the fractal nature of how these animals move.” Tickets to the Birdy performance are included in the Enrichment Program course Dance and Diplomacy: Finding Meaning and Connection through Contemporary Dance with Hung Dance of Taiwan. .

Frequently Asked Questions

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As part of the University of Denver’s Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) master’s program, Podruski was tapped to serve as the instructional design intern for a new wastewater surveillance ethics course that is now available to professionals across the country.

“It was definitely a crash course in wastewater surveillance,” Podruski said with a laugh. “When I came into the project, I didn’t know much about the topic. But I saw it as a great opportunity to test what I was learning about course design in a completely new context.”

From K–12 Education to Adult Learning

Podruski began her career in K–12 education before moving into corporate training. While she quickly gained experience in sales enablement, she wanted a stronger foundation in instructional design to expand her career options.

“I had a sort of roundabout path into the field,” she explained. “I realized I needed to upskill and deepen my knowledge in instructional design.”

DU’s Instructional Design & Technology program appealed to her because of its focus on adult learners and its emphasis on evidence-based design.

“I liked the analytical approach to design: learning to consider why I was making certain choices, not just doing what felt right,” she said.

A Real-World Challenge

By the time the wastewater project came along, Podruski was well into her degree program and ready for a challenge. Wastewater surveillance is a relatively new technique to monitor for infectious disease trends in public wastewater systems. This monitoring can serve as an early detection system for disease detection, helping health officials to understand and respond to infectious disease threats.

The Colorado National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence (CO NWSS CoE) was developing an online course with funding from the CDC based on an ethics framework released by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). It needed a talented Student Instructional Designer to build it, and Podruski was up to the challenge.

Working with subject matter experts from Colorado, New Zealand, and the East Coast, Podruski designed activities that turned abstract ethical principles—privacy, stigma, data stewardship—into concrete scenarios for learners. She built an interactive thought map, videos, case studies, and reflection exercises to help utility workers and public health professionals nationwide apply ethical frameworks to their everyday decisions.

The finished course, , became the first on-demand training of its kind and was later spotlighted nationally in ASTHO’s story series.

Growing as a Professional

For Podruski, the project wasn’t just a résumé milestone—it was a turning point in her professional growth.

“In my corporate role, I’m usually the subject matter expert,” she said. “Here, I had to work with external experts and really practice project management. I learned how to explain my design decisions and make sure they met accessibility and quality checks.”

For Podruski, it was the best of both worlds: a chance to strengthen her design skills in the safety of a student role while also producing a top-quality product ready for public consumption.

She credits DU’s program for preparing her for the challenge. “Without the master’s program, I don’t think I would have been nearly as successful,” Podruski reflected. “It gave me the theoretical foundation and the systems approach I needed.”

“Kayley’s work is a standout example of how our program connects coursework with real-world impact,” says IDT Director Cindy Cragg. “These kinds of opportunities don’t just bring learning to life; they help our students build tangible, industry-relevant skills that make them more marketable.”

Looking Ahead

As she nears the end of her graduate studies, Podruski is already seeing how her education is shaping her professional growth. “The quarter system makes it so easy to apply what I’m learning in real time,” she said. “I can test strategies in my job right away and see the results. I think my company is really excited.”

Looking ahead, Podruski will continue working with the CO NWSS CoE to help develop additional trainings—work that connects professionals across disciplines and strengthens public health systems.

“My hope is that this training sparks inspiration for people to keep learning about wastewater surveillance,” she said. “Education builds the connectivity between utility workers, public health staff, and communities. That’s what makes this work so important.”

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