Master of Professional Studies (MPS or M.P.S.) is a type of master's degree concentrated in an applied field of study. MPS degrees are often interdisciplinary. While Master of Arts and Master of Science degree programs tend to focus on theory and research, Master of Professional Studies tend to emphasize practical skills designed for current and aspiring professionals including post-bachelor and post-graduate students and often require some amount of fieldwork or internship to complement classroom learning.
Admission to the MPS program typically require documentation of professional experience and competencies in addition to an earned undergraduate degree or postgraduate education and satisfactory standardized test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination.
Examples
A number of universities in the United States offer MPS degrees in a variety of fields:
- Cornell University Master of Professional Studies is offered in Information Science in the Department of Information Science, in Applied Statistics in the Department of Statistical Science, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and in Real Estate through the Baker Program in Real Estate
- Dominican University in River Forest, IL offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Library and Information Science.
- East Tennessee State University School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Strategic Leadership and Training & Development.
- George Washington University College of Professional Studies offers Masters of Professional Studies in 12 fields of study.
- Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Emergency and Disaster Management, Global Strategic Communications, Hospitality Management, Human Resources Management, Integrated Marketing Communications, Journalism, Program and Portfolio Management, Project Management, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Real Estate, Sports Industry Management, Technology Management, and Urban and Regional Planning.
- LIM College offers MPS degree programs in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management, Fashion Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Global Fashion Supply Chain Management.
- Maryland Institute College of Art offers two MPS degrees through the School for Professional and Continuing Studies. The MPS in the Business of Art and Design program launched in 2011 and focuses small business administration to start up, grow, sustain, or manage an arts-related business. The MPS in Information Visualization program launched in 2012 and focuses on methods of transforming complex data and information into compelling visual narratives through design. Both MICA MPS degrees are intensive, cohort-based, 14 month programs with online coursework and three short residencies on MICA's Baltimore campus.
- The New York School of Interior Design offers a Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design.
- The New York Theological Seminary offers a Master of Professional Studies only at Sing Sing Prison.
- New York University offers a terminal MPS degree through the Tisch School of the Arts: Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP).
- Northeastern University College of Professional Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media, Informatics and others.
- The University of Connecticut Center for Continuing Studies offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Homeland Security Leadership (HSL), Human Resource Management (HRM), and Humanitarian Services Administration (HSA).
- Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business offers a Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management.
- Penn State Harrisburg School of Science, Engineering, and Technology offers a Master of Professional Studies in Engineering Management.
- Penn State University World Campus (distance education) offers two MPS degrees in Community and Economic Development and Homeland Security.
- Pratt Institute offers a Master of Professional Studies in Design Management.
- The School of Visual Arts offers a Master of Professional Studies in Branding and Art Therapy.
- St. John's University College of Professional Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Sport Management and Criminal Justice Leadership.
- SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry's Department of Environment Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Environmental Studies.
- The State University of New York at New Paltz Graduate School offers a Master of Professional Studies in Humanistic/Multicultural Education.
- State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Professional Development offers a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resource Management.
- Tennessee State University College of Public Service & Urban Affairs: Professional Studies, Public Administration offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Strategic Leadership, Human Resource Leadership and Training & Development.
- Tulane University School of Professional Advancement offers a Master of Professional Studies in Applied Computing Systems & Technology.
- Tulane University School of Professional Advancement offers a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Leadership.
- The University of Auckland, New Zealand offers a Master of Professional Studies in International Relations and Human Rights, and Translation.
- The University of Bridgeport Shintaro Akatsu School of Design at offers a Master of Professional Studies in Design Management.
- The University of Maryland, College Park College of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers Master of Professional Studies in Applied Economics and Master of Professional Studies in Geospatial Information Sciences. The University of Maryland Colleges of Arts and Sciences, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; formerly offers a Master of Professional Studies in Arabic, but discontinued their program following cuts in federal funding. The University of Maryland, College Park now offers a Master of Professional Studies in Clinical Psychological Science. The program is recently a new addition to the school's extensive list of programs and the program will begin Fall 2013.
- The University of Memphis University College offers a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Leadership; Strategic Leadership; and Training and Development.
- The University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education offers a Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership.
- The University of North Alabama Office of Professional and Interdisciplinary Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Community Development; Security and Safety Leadership; and Information Technology.
- Utica College in New York offers a Master of Professional Studies in Cyber Policy and Risk Analysis.
- West Liberty University Masters in Professional Studies Program ncludes Areas of Emphasis (AoE), such as Organizational Leadership (OL) and a Justice Leadership (JL) that focus on various for-profit and non-profit professional fields.
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