Professional Studies

Program description

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a cross-disciplinary program which promotes the enhancement of practical skills in one of the following options:

1. Applied Communication
2. Criminal Justice
3. Environmental Management
4. Homeland Security
5. Hospitality Administration
6. Producing and Screenwriting
7. Project Management
8. Sports Management
9. or an Individualized Option 

The program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are seeking professional growth and advancement within their vocations. The 33-hour program allows participants to expand their knowledge base and refine skills necessary to keep up with the ever-changing marketplace.

A MPS may be taken online. All of the core and option area courses in Applied Communication, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Hospitality Administration, Project Management and Sports Management are available online. Currently, the Environmental Management option is only available on campus. Online access for the Individualized option depends on the selection of courses chosen.

Admission requirements

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is designed for individuals who are highly motivated to pursue an advanced degree. Admission is competitive and meeting the minimum standards for admission will not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Admission to the program requires all of the following:

1. A bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri State University or equivalent education from a foreign university.
2. A GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work OR a GPA of 2.75 to 2.99 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work and a minimum score of 290 on the GRE or 450 on the GMAT OR completion of 9 credit hours of graduate course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00. These courses may be taken as a postbaccalaureate or nondegree-seeking graduate student and must be approved by the MPS Program Director.
3. A Resume
4. A written statement of goals and interest in the MPS degree. This written statement will be reviewed to assess the applicant's motivation and commitment to complete the graduate degree and as evidence of the writing skills necessary to succeed in the program.
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals able to speak to the applicants academic and/or professional abilities and potential to succeed in the program.

Accelerated Master's Option Admission requirements 

Exceptional Missouri State University undergraduate students may apply for preliminary acceptance into the Master of Professional Studies program in their junior year after admission requirements for the accelerated program have been satisfied.  Candidates for this option must have junior standing and an overall GPA of 3.20 or higher.  If admitted, up to 12 hours of 600-level or 700-level courses may be designated as "mixed credit" and count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  This option gives these undergraduate students the opportunity to complete their bachelor's and master's degrees in 10 semesters and a summer.

Before enrolling in a course that will apply to both the undergraduate program and the master's program an undergraduate student must:

1. Be admitted into the accelerated program;

2. Receive prior approval from the MSIS advisor, department head of the undergraduate program, and the Dean of the Graduate College.  This is done by using a mixed credit form.

Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s).  See the Graduate College for further information.

Admission Requirement for the Accelerated Option:

1. Junior standing and an overall GPA of 3.20 or better;
2. A supportive recommendation letter from the applicant's undergraduate advisor, program director, or department head;
3. Submit a written statement of purpose explaining why the student wants to pursue the accelerated Master's program along with the prospective plans following graduation.  

Degree requirements (minimum of 33 credit hours)

For core courses, select 7 of the courses listed below.  Note that some courses may have prerequisites and/or require "permission" from the instructor; not all courses are accessible in both online and seated formats and, thus not every class is available to all MPS students.  Your advisor will help you navigate the available options to generate a program of study.  When a program of study is generated, including core and option courses, students need to be aware that the following two limitations for the degree must be observed:

• No more than 9 credit hours (generally 3 courses) from the College of Business can be counted toward the degree.
• Eighteen (18) credits (generally 6 classes) must be taken at the 700-level

1. Core requirements (21 credit hours) - Select 7 of the following 8 areas of study.

2. Research or Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)

MPS students are expected to demonstrate competency in methods of inquiry, problem solving, and writing for their career path and program emphasis. Students will complete a research project, an internship, or a capstone experience representative of their option area. Successful completion of research or capstone experience will serve as the student's comprehensive examination.

Students in the Individualized option area will work with the Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIP) program director to decide their capstone course and submit a 3-minute video presentation describing their capstone experience.

3. Comprehensive examination

Successful completion of research or capstone experience will serve as the student's comprehensive examinations.

4. Option areas (12 credit hours)

Eight formal options exist for the Master of Professional Studies. Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in an option area. Option areas include Applied Communication, Criminal Justice, Environmental Management, Homeland Security, Hospitality Administration, Producing and Screenwriting, Project Management and Sports Management. Under close supervision of the Program Director, students may be allowed to develop an individualized course of study as an option area.

Applied Communication option

Choose any four of the following courses:

Criminal Justice option

Complete the following four courses:

Environmental Management option

Required two courses:

Elective 2 courses (chosen in consultation with advisor):

Homeland Security option

Complete the following four courses:

Hospitality Administration option

Producing and Screenwriting option

With the help of the advisor, select four (4) of the following courses (12 hours):

Project Management option

Required two courses:

Electives:  Choose 2 courses:

Sports Management option

The Sports Management Option is a 15 hour option that includes three 3 credit hour courses and one 6 hour field experience course. KIN 733 covers the research requirement for the MPS program.

Required Courses (15 hours):

Individualized option

Developed under the close supervision of the Program Director.