Oct 15, 2024  
2012-13 Graduate Catalog 
    
2012-13 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Professional Studies, Strategic Leadership Concentration, M.P.S.


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David J. Gotcher, Program Director
(615) 904-8042
David.Gotcher@mtsu.edu

The University College  offers the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) with concentrations in Strategic Leadership and Training and Development in conjunction with all six of the Tennessee Board of Regents universities. Courses are offered online each semester through the Regents Online Degree Program (RODP). For more information contact mps@mtsu.edu, call (615) 898-5611, or visit www.mtsu.edu/universitycollege/distance/mps.php.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Master of Science in Professional Studies program requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
  2. an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken (at least 2.75 for unconditional application);
  3. completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with acceptable scores OR a portfolio of works for those with a 2.75 GPA or higher and five (5) years of professional full-time work experience;
  4. competency in word processing, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and databases. Students must be computer literate (using email, posting discussions, using chat, webpage navigation, uploading attachments, etc.) as well as have excellent time management skills in order to be successful in the online course environment. 
  5. regular access to a computer and reliable Internet connection. To view hardware and software requirements please go to www.rodp.org/current-students/technical-support.

NOTE: Candidates for the Master of Professional Studies may enroll for one semester before being fully admitted to the program.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official transcripts from all collegiate institutions attended;
  3. submit three letters of reference;
  4. submit official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). A composite GRE score of 291 (current scale) or 900 (former scale) is expected for consideration of unconditional admission. Applicants with a 2.75 GPA or higher and five (5) years of professional full-time work experience may submit a portfolio of works in place of a GRE score. Applicants who meet this requirement may inquire about the portfolio requirements by e-mailing mps@mtsu.edu or going to www.mtsu.edu/universitycollege/distance/mps_portfolio.php.

Degree Requirements


Candidate must

  1. complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
  2. complete a professional project during the final semester of the program.

Curriculum: Professional Studies, Strategic Leadership


Candidate must complete 33 hours in the following course of study:

Core Courses (9 hours)


  • PRST 6100 Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics
  • PRST 6200 Globalization and the Professions
  • PRST 6300 Research Methods (prerequisite: undergraduate or graduate statistics)

Concentration Courses (21 hours)


Seven courses must be completed, including at least one course from each of the five subject areas:

Leadership Theory


  • PRST 6500 - Foundations of Leadership 3 credit hours
  • LDSP 6000 - Current Issues and Cases in Leadership 3 credit hours
  • ELPA 6560 - Small Group Leadership 3 credit hours

Research/Data Analysis


  • PRST 6770 - Computer-based Decision Modeling 3 credit hours
  • PRST 6600 - Statistical Analysis 3 credit hours

Organizational Structure and Change


  • PRST 6310 - Leadership in Organization 3 credit hours
  • PRST 6800 - Organizational Skills and Development 3 credit hours

Communication


  • COMM 6110 - Leadership and Communication 3 credit hours
  • JOUR 6450 - Public Relations Management 3 credit hours
  • PRST 6700 - Conflict Management and Negotiation 3 credit hours

Strategic Planning and Assessment


  • TECH 6105 - Project Planning and Scheduling 3 credit hours
  • PRST 6040 - Human Resources Management 3 credit hours

Professional Project (3 hours)


  • PRST 6998 - Professional Project 3 credit hours

PRST 6998 must be taken during the final semester of the program. Students should begin planning their projects when they enter the M.P.S. program. They should consult their advisors about appropriate topics and submit their proposals for approval prior to entering this course.

Program Notes


Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to the completion of 30 credit hours;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

 

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