Professional Studies, Training and Development Concentration, M.P.S.

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.shtml.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Professional Studies program requires

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken (at least 2.75 for unconditional application);
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;
competency in word processing, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and databases. Students must be computer literate (using e-mail, 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.
regular access to a computer and reliable Internet connection. To view hardware and software requirements please go to www.mtsu.edu/universitycollege/distance/mps_portfolio.shtml.

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

submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.shtml);
submit official transcripts from all collegiate institutions attended;
submit three letters of reference;
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.shtml.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in Training and Development degree must

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

Curriculum: Training and Development Concentration

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

Core Courses (9 hours)

PRST 6100 - Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics 3 credit hours
PRST 6200 - Globalization and the Professions 3 credit hours
PRST 6300 - Research Methods 3 credit hours

Concentration Requirements (15 hours)

PRST 6600 - Statistical Analysis 3 credit hours OR
PRST 6770 - Computer-Based Decision Making 3 credit hours

PRST 6410 - Evaluation of Learning 3 credit hours
PRST 6420 - Organizational Needs Analysis 3 credit hours
PRST 6400 - Instructional Design for Training and Development 3 credit hours
PRST 6470 - Facilitation of Learning 3 credit hours

Specialization Options (6 hours)

Students will select two of the following courses:

PRST 6430 - Advanced Instructional Design for Training and Development 3 credit hours
TECH 6105 - Project Planning and Scheduling 3 credit hours
PRST 6040 - Human Resources Management 3 credit hours
PRST 6440 - Engaging the Adult Online Learner 3 credit hours
PRST 6450 - Computer-Based Technologies for E-Training (prerequisite PRST 5400) 3 credit hours
PRST 6910 - Employer and Human Resources Law 3 credit hours
PRST 6920 - Diversity in the Workplace 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.

NOTE:

The 5000 and 6000 levels numbering of courses for APSU/ETSU/TSU will be crosslisted with the 6000 used by MTSU and TTU and the 7000 levels numbering of courses used at UOM.

Program Notes

Candidate must

file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to the completion of 21 credit hours;
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.