Master of Professional Studies
Mission
https://una.edu/masters-professional-studies/areas-of-specialization.html
The Master of Professional Studies (M.Pr.S.) degree is a fully accredited interdisciplinary professional program with workforce development and personal development at the core of its mission. The degree program, which can be completed online, will provide working adults an opportunity to pursue their graduate education and to further develop their professional and organizational leadership skills with minimal disruption to their family and current job obligations.
Admission
In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate studies (see General Regulations and Procedures), admission to the Master of Professional Studies degree program also requires the following:
- The applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an institution accredited by one of the six U.S. regional accrediting associations, by one of the agencies recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education, or by an appropriate governmental agency in the country in which the institution is located.
- The applicant must have a graduating cumulative GPA of at least 2.70 on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. As this degree program aims to enhance leadership skill sets related to the professional work environment, applicants who do not meet the cumulative GPA standard but who demonstrate a minimum of three years of successful full-time work experience in a professional field may be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students will take no more than nine graduate level credits their first semester and must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the first completed nine hours of graduate coursework in the M.Pr.S. degree program with no grades of C or lower. Conditionally admitted students must resolve outstanding admission obligations before registering for subsequent semesters.
- The applicant will submit a personal statement addressing the reasons for applying, the choice of specialization, and how this degree program will affect his/her future career plans. To verify three years of professional work experience, conditionally admitted students must also have a job verification form submitted by current or former employers. Employment verification must be received before a student enrolls in a graduate course. An employment verification form will be provided to all applicants upon request.
- M.Pr.S. applicants, as part of the online application process, will provide email addresses for three professional references
Transfer Admission
In addition to the general requirements for Transfer Admission to Graduate Studies (see General Regulations and Procedures), up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit by transfer will be accepted with the approval of the graduate program coordinator. Exceptions must be approved by the Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering.
Advisement
Upon admission to the program, students will be assigned to an academic advisor. The advisor, in consultation with the student, will plan the student’s program of study and provide continued supervision and guidance. All M.Pr.S. students are required to develop a program of study in consultation with their academic advisor and other academic professionals as needed prior to completing 12 hours of graduate credit applied to their degree program.
Degree Requirements
The M.Pr.S. is a 33 semester hour program built around a core of 18 semester hours of professional skill-building courses and an area of specialization comprised of 15 semester hours. This option includes a three credit hour capstone experience within the area of specialization. Students may elect a 36 semester hour program by pursuing a thesis option. Existing specializations include: community development; higher education administration; information technology; and security and safety leadership.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses of Study | ||
| PRS 601 | Applied Research for Professionals | 3 |
| PRS 603 | Professional Communications | 3 |
| PRS 607 | Leadership, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| PRS 609 | Organizations, Institutions, and Change | 3 |
| PRS 611 | Globalization and Society | 3 |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Option - select one from the following: | 3-6 | |
| Non-Thesis Option | ||
| Capstone/Thesis (related to their area of specialization) | ||
| Thesis Option and Defense 1 | ||
| Capstone/Thesis | ||
| Area of Specialization | 15 | |
| Choose an area of specialization from the following: | ||
| Higher Education Administration | ||
| Choose 15 hours from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Higher Education Administration | ||
| Organizational and Administrative Structure of Higher Education | ||
| Student Development Theory | ||
| Budgetary Management in Higher Education | ||
| Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing | ||
| The Legal Environment of Higher Education | ||
| Student Affairs Practices, Theory and Policy | ||
| Contemporary Issues and Trends in Higher Education | ||
| The Community College System | ||
| Cultural Diversity in Higher Education | ||
| Empirical Assessment in HEA | ||
| University Advancement and Fundraising | ||
| Internship in Higher Education | ||
| Community Development | ||
Select 15 graduate credit hours with advisor approval | ||
| Information Technology | ||
Select 15 graduate credit hours with advisor approval | ||
| Security and Safety Leadership | ||
Select 15 graduate credit hours with advisor approval | ||
| Total Hours: | 33-36 | |
- 1
Students choosing the Thesis Option must enroll in Capstone/Thesis (PRS 695)each semester while preparing or defending the thesis. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to discuss scheduling of core courses, area courses, and capstone/thesis hours.