A projection operator is constructed which, when applied to the Liouville equation, yields self-consistent field equations for products of reduced nonequilibrium distribution functions for interacting particles. The self-consistent field equations superficially appear as the evolution equations for fictitious independent subunits making up the system of interest. They, in fact, represent closures of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy at various levels of reduced description. When the integral kernel is suitably approximated, they yield the well-known Boltzmann equation and kinetic equations for reduced distribution functions for uncorrelated subsystems comprising the system. On the basis of the self-consistent field equations, some deductions are made for kinetic equations that may be used for constructing thermodynamic theories of irreversible processes consistent with the laws of thermodynamics.