The Master of Arts in Applied Professional Studies Online (MA) from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) is for adults like you who would benefit from a graduate degree program that’s personally-relevant with room for flexibility and customization.
Whether you’re a working professional seeking career advancement, a career changer or a curious learner, our master’s of professional studies will deepen your knowledge, enhance your skills and advance your goals.
Our flexible approach to learning is shaped by your unique needs as an adult learner, with formats designed to fit your busy schedule. We offer options to study full-time or part-time, at night or on weekends, in our downtown campus or online.
Key Features
- Earn credit for professional certificates.
- Manage the pace, place and process of implementing your educational plan.
- Benefit from the support of a faculty advisor and a professional advisor in your field.
- Engage with fellow students—working professionals with diverse jobs, experience and interests.
- Complete your degree in as little as two years while attending class as a part time student.
- Program can be completed online.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 52 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
Alumni qualify for the Double Demon scholarship.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in their areas of professional study.
- Cultivate a regular practice of reflection on their professional practice.
- Engage methods of inquiry to improve practice in their areas of study.
- Take initiative to broaden professional networks and continually develop and refresh key skills.
- Anticipate, adapt and engage with emerging issues in their areas of study and practice.
- Exercise personal agency and collaborative skill to attain personal and professional goals.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Students are required to complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours with a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.5.
Planning & Integration (8 credit hours)
Students, with the assistance of an academic committee, design individualized graduate learning plans. Once plans are approved, students pursue their plans and work to ensure that all parts link together.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AP 501 | PROFESSIONAL PLANNING PROSEMINAR | 4 |
| AP 504 | RESEARCHING PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS | 4 |
Liberal Learning (16 credit hours)
The liberal learning seminars offer opportunities for unique and rich discussions with fellow professionals from diverse professional backgrounds. They are designed to challenge students’ thinking around topics relevant to working professionals as they enhance core skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem solving.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 8 | |
| LLS 410D | WRITING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS | 4 |
| LLS 450B | APPLYING SYSTEMATIC INQUIRY (IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE) | 4 |
| Elective Options (8 credit hours) choose from list: | 8 | |
| LLS 410F | GENDER IN BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| LLS 410G | ADVANCED LEADERSHIP THEORY & PRACTICE | 4 |
| LLS 410H | EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT | 4 |
| LLS 420D | APPLYING ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420E | LEADERSHIP, CHANGE AND POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420F | LEADERSHIP MODELS FOR STRONG ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420G | EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AT WORK | 4 |
| LLS 420H | LEADING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | |
| LLS 440A | UNDERSTANDING AND FLEXING MINDSETS | 4 |
| ORGL 510 | EVIDENCED BASED DECISION MAKING (formerly LLS 410E)) | |
Tracks (24 credit hours): Individualized, Educating Adults, Organizational Leadership, or Social Change
Students design and implement learning strategies for enhancing their understanding and competence development in each of the following aspects of their track.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AP 510 | MAIN THEORIES AND IDEAS | 2 |
| AP 520 | METHODS OF RESEARCH | 2 |
| AP 530 | SPECIALIZED SKILLS | 2 |
| AP 540 | COMMUNICATION MODES | 2 |
| AP 550 | ORGANIZATIONAL AND/OR INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS | 2 |
| AP 560 | CHALLENGES FROM LARGER CONTEXTS | 2 |
| AP 570 | ETHICAL ISSUES | 2 |
| AP 574 | REFLECTION IN/ON PRACTICE | 2 |
| AP 584 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE I | 2 |
| AP 585 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE II | 2 |
| AP 586 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE III | 2 |
| AP 587 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE IV | 2 |
Program Culmination (4 credit hours)
Students culminate their graduate study through either four supplemental competencies or an integrating project (proposal and final artifact).
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Supplementals (Electives) | ||
| AP 588 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE V | 2 |
| AP 589 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE VI | 2 |
| Integrating Project | ||
| AP 592 | GRADUATE CAPSTONE PROJECT | 4 |
Individualized Focus Area
The Individualized Focus Area features a customized track where each student, with the support of an advisory team, researches and designs a path leading to the attainment of specific, academically grounded objectives in an applied professional field. With the help of their advisory team, students in the Individualized Focus Area integrate graduate level coursework, applied learning activity, academic inquiry, and professional development. Since the Individualized Focus Area is not limited to a particular academic area with existing professional standards, it is ideal for entrepreneurial students ready to work with leaders in their field to determine the appropriate professional standards for their unique, often cutting edge or hybrid, focus.
Individualized Focus Area Competence Areas
Students in this track may choose from an array of courses and experiential learning activities to create their unique focus. They are guided in their choices by their advisory committees as they select learning activities that address the following list of professional competencies which can be satisfied through a combination of coursework, applied experiential earning activities, and liberal learning seminars from the MAAPS core curriculum:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AP 510 | MAIN THEORIES AND IDEAS | 2 |
| AP 520 | METHODS OF RESEARCH | 2 |
| AP 530 | SPECIALIZED SKILLS | 2 |
| AP 540 | COMMUNICATION MODES | 2 |
| AP 550 | ORGANIZATIONAL AND/OR INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS | 2 |
| AP 560 | CHALLENGES FROM LARGER CONTEXTS | 2 |
| AP 570 | ETHICAL ISSUES | 2 |
| AP 574 | REFLECTION IN/ON PRACTICE | 2 |
| AP 584 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE I | 2 |
| AP 585 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE II | 2 |
| AP 586 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE III | 2 |
| AP 587 | SUPPLEMENTAL COMPETENCE IV | 2 |
Educating Adults
The Educating Adults track is designed for students working in diverse settings who are involved in the process and practice of adults’ learning. Grounded in current research and best practices in adult education and learning theory, the Educating Adults track is made up of a set of core courses and learning activities to be applied in the students’ own workplace/practice setting. Participants in this track deepen their knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, design, facilitation, evaluation, and applied research to improve their repertoire of core and cutting-edge knowledge and skill as educators of adults.
This track is for those who want to expand their knowledge of key theories and best practices in adult learning—including the latest in instructional technology, course and training design, learning facilitation, internet-based practices, and emerging trends. It is for educators of all types: trainers, coaches, managers, and more.
Educating Adults Required Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EA 516 | DESIGNING EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS | 4 |
| EA 517 | FACILITATING ADULT LEARNING | 4 |
| EA 518 | ENHANCING PRACTICE WITH THEORY IN ADULT LEARNING | 4 |
Educating Adults Electives
Students in this track may choose from an array of courses and experiential learning activities, some possible possible course elective options include:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EA 526 | ASSESSING ADULT LEARNING | 4 |
| EA 542 | DESIGNING OUTCOME-BASED PROGRAM EVALUATION: PERSPECTIVES & PRACTICES | 2-4 |
| EA 546 | EDUCATING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE GFDIS | 4 |
| EA 547 | DESIGNING ONLINE LEARNING GFDIS | 4 |
Organizational Leadership
The Organizational Leadership track is designed for students interested in developing and applying effective leadership skills known to be crucial to success in the business world. Completing the Organizational Leadership track will provide opportunities for students to positively impact their organizations. Students will learn to apply relevant leadership theories and models to generate solutions to real world problems within various types of organizations and to advance teams toward a shared corporate vision.
Organizational Leadership Required Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LLS 410E | 4 | |
| LLS 420E | LEADERSHIP, CHANGE AND POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420D | APPLYING ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS | 4 |
Organizational Leadership Electives
Students in this track may choose from an array of courses and experiential learning activities, some possible possible course elective options include:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LLS 410F | GENDER IN BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| LLS 410G | ADVANCED LEADERSHIP THEORY & PRACTICE | 4 |
| LLS 410H | EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT | 4 |
| LLS 420D | APPLYING ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420E | LEADERSHIP, CHANGE AND POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420G | EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AT WORK | 4 |
| LLS 420H | LEADING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | 4 |
| LLS 440A | UNDERSTANDING AND FLEXING MINDSETS | 4 |
Social Change
This track is designed for individuals whose practice involves leading effective social change in communities and organizations. Integral components of this track are ethical decision-making, global and inclusive perspectives, future trends, and mentorship. Learning gained from the track’s core curriculum, as well as the applied capstone project, is essential to unlock each participants’ potential to effectively lead social change. As students collaborate with the other advocates in their Social Change Track cohort and their communities, they have the unique opportunity to practice the creation of responsible action plans to effect constructive social change.
Social Change Course Options
Students in this track may choose from an array of courses and experiential learning activities, some possible possible course electives include: Transformational Leadership, Understanding and Responding to Identity and Intersectionality, Arts for Social Action, Technology for Communication, Tools for Change, Leading and Social Change.