Kaplan University is starting a new program designed to serve adult students.

Open College was designed to let nontraditional students earn a bachelor of science in professional studies by "combining credits they have previously accumulated through prior learning with academic credit they earn taking open courses offered by Kaplan and other providers," Inside Higher Ed reported.

"The Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies degree is designed with self-motivated students in mind and offers you the opportunity to create a customized degree plan to meet your own individual professional goals," according to Kaplan University's website.

Students enrolled in any of the Open College degree or certificate programs will be required to complete four professional competency tutorials (PCTs). They must earn 10 quarter-hour credits per calendar year through any combination of Kaplan University courses, course assessments, or credits transferred in from an approved provider. Participants will be academically dismissed if they do not meet this requirement

"Open College at Kaplan University offers individualized, affordable education that integrates technology and personalized service to help learners meet their career, academic, and personal goals," according to the program's mission statement.

The fledgling institution is the newest entrant in the hunt to create a $10,000 bachelor's degree, Inside Higher Ed reported. The goal could be attainable through Open College's mix of prior learning, open courses, and Kaplan-provided assessments "to help fill in gaps in learners' accumulated credits."

Students enrolled in the Open College program are not eligible to use federal financial aid to pay for degrees or programs.