Professional Studies, M.P.S.

Program Information

Julie Fox-Horton, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
108 Rogers Stout Hall
Box 70659
(423) 439-4223
e-mail: foxhorton@etsu.edu

The Professional Studies, M.P.S. is a 30-33 credit online, interdisciplinary graduate degree designed for working professionals and aspiring professionals seeking graduate education combining two or more disciplines with profession-specific requirements or skills. Professional Studies, M.P.S. students complete a common core, and then design the remainder of their program of study from approved graduate elective courses from Social Science or STEAM fields. Students choose either a thesis or a culminating project to complete their programs of study.

Admissions Policy

Requirements for unconditional admission:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. International students are required to have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Two letters of recommendation.
4. An up-to-date resume.
5. A 500- to 600-word essay detailing the applicant’s reasons for applying to the M.P.S., Professional Studies program and discussing how the program will help the applicant achieve personal and professional goals.

Requirements for unconditional admission with provision(s):

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for unconditional admission might be admitted with provisions if their overall academic and professional records indicate potential for success in the program. Provision(s) may include, but are not limited to, taking prerequisite undergraduate courses, enrolling in specified graduate-level courses, and achieving a specified grade point average.

Professional Studies, M.P.S. Degree Requirements: 30-33 credits

* Project Option: 3 credits (33 credits total) students in the project option will take one additional course from the elective list.
Thesis Option: 3-6 credits (30-33 credits total)

Professional Studies Core Requirements: 9 credits

• CDST 5150 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study in STEAM and the Professions (3 credits)
• CDST 5317 - Applied and Professional Ethics (3 credits)
• MALS 5400 - Seminar in Interdisciplinary Research (3 credits)

• 
  Note: MALS 5400  requires a minimum grade of B (no B-) for students to be able to progress in the program.

Advisor Approved Electives: 18-21 credits

Students will select courses from an approved list of electives maintained by the graduate coordinator.

* Students in the project option will take one additional course from the elective list.

Culminating Project/Thesis: 3-6 credits

• MALS 5950 - Culminating Project (3 credits) *

• or

• MALS 5960 - Thesis (3 credits)