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

Program Overview

The Master of Professional Studies program is designed to affordably and flexibly meet the education needs of working adults, with concentrations in strategic leadership; human resources leadership; and training and development. Offered completely online and available twenty-four hours and seven days a week, this unique program is taught by professors who are best suited to help you develop the skills necessary to excel as a professional. The MPS is taught collaboratively by professors from several public Tennessee universities including TSU. Once accepted, you register for your courses through the TSU system, are advised by TSU faculty, and receive a TSU diploma when you have successfully completed the degree. This graduate professional degree consists of 33 hours of interdisciplinary coursework. Students choose their concentration at the time of application to the program. 

Program Outcomes

1. The program outcomes are connected to the three concentrations as follows. 
2. Strategic Leadership concentration - MPS graduates will demonstrate the ability to lead a diverse group of individuals through influence without relying on authority. 
3. Human Resources Leadership concentration - MPS graduates will be able to apply analytical skills to solve a current problem within the field of human resources management and leadership. 
4. Training and Development concentration - MPS graduates will be able to apply current skills and knowledge to manage, deliver, and assess training programs. 
5. All concentrations - MPS graduates will be able to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and be in good standing at the last school attended. Applicants must possess basic computer literacy and writing skills and access to computer hardware meeting TNeCampus requirements. Applicants must provide the following via the Graduate School’s online application portal: 1) Application for Admission; 2) application fee; 3) one official transcript from all colleges and universities previously attended 4) three letters of recommendation; and 5) a Statement of Purpose explaining why the applicant seeks admission to the MPS program.  

Unconditional Admission 

1. Requires an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university. 

2. The application must include a resume which shows the type of work done over the period and provides details of the employers; position descriptions of all positions listed on the resume; a 500- to 600-word essay describing the professional work accomplished and how the MPS will help the individual advance in the profession; examples of written documents showing professional responsibilities, honors and professional achievements; and a list of professional awards/recognition. 

3. Unconditional admission will be based on the applicant’s entire academic and professional record that indicates a high potential for success in the program. 

Conditional Admission

Conditional Admission may be granted temporarily by the Dean of the Graduate School if recommended by the Department of Public Administration. Continuation in the program as a degree-seeking student is contingent upon fulfilling specific requirements stipulated in the conditional admission letter. 

1. Students who present an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) below 2.7 must submit a resume which is acceptable to the Department of Public Administration. The resume must provide details of the employers; position descriptions of all positions listed on the resume; a 500- to 600-word essay describing the professional work accomplished and how the MPS will help the individual advance in the profession; examples of written documents showing professional responsibilities, honors and professional achievements; and a list of professional awards/recognition. 

2. Graduates of accredited colleges who have five years of qualified professional experience but do not have completed resumes must submit the requested documents during the first semester of enrollment (prior to mid-term). Additionally, conditionally admitted students are required to obtain a 3.00 GPA in the first nine (9) semester hours of coursework to remain in the program. 

3. Students that are admitted conditionally, and do not have five years of qualified professional experience must obtain a 3.00 GPA in the first nine (9) semester hours of coursework to remain in the program. 

• Important Dates: This program can be started in any semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Applications are due via the TSU Graduate School’s application portal by July 1 for Fall; November 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer. Applications received after those dates may be deferred till the next semester if insufficient time for processing and successful matriculation is available. 
• Program of Study and Credit Hours Required: This degree program requires 33 credit hours (11 courses) to complete. The program of study differs by concentration as shown below. 

Course Scheduling and Advising

Students must consult the MPS program director for advising regarding course selection prior to their first registration and each semester as needed. If any question comes up, students are urged to correspond or meet with their advisor to ensure that they are enrolling in the correct courses. Students should also monitor their DegreeWorks program audit after every registration to make sure their registrations are posting against graduate certificate requirements - if not, they must contact their advisor promptly as this can affect financial aid or delay progress to completion. 

Program Duration

Students who attend full-time in fall and spring or who attend part-time year-round including summer term can finish the program in approximately two years. 

Transfer of Credits

This program follows the TSU Graduate School policies regarding transfer of credit for a master’s program. No more than 12 credits (4 courses) can be considered for transfer from another University or taken outside the department at TSU, and only subject to department chair approval. Credits may not have been used towards a completed degree, and suitability for transfer is determined by the department chair based on course similarity to our offerings that fit within the MPS curriculum. The transfer request is subject to additional levels of approval per Graduate School policy. Out-of-date credits (see Time Limitations for Credit) and those with grades below B cannot be considered for transfer. Students interested in taking their elective(s) in a different program at TSU must receive approval from the MPS program director and if permitted, those courses count against the total of 12 outside credits listed above. Other programs must also approve a student taking an elective from their unit. 

Program Retention and Completion Requirements

All applicants to graduate programs in the College of Public Service must also consult the Graduate School policies detailed at the beginning of the Graduate Catalog, which pertain to all TSU graduate students. All students are expected to be familiar with and to adhere to both Graduate School policies and specific departmental requirements for their degree and/or graduate certificate. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken at Tennessee State University is required for successful completion of graduate certificates or graduate degree programs; individual programs may also have more restrictive policies as detailed in their Catalog section (for example, C grades in core courses are not accepted for the Ph.D. in public policy and administration). We abide by Graduate School policies including those regarding retention, probation, suspension, and time limitations for degrees (see the front matter of this Catalog). Per Graduate School policy, a given course in our programs may be repeated one time only, and the second grade will replace the first. A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) courses in a given program for the purpose of improving grades. Grades of D or F may not be counted towards meeting program curricular requirements for award of the certificate.  

Time Limitation for Credit

Course credits earned more than six (6) years prior to a student’s graduation may not be applied toward the MPS degree without a successful time-extension appeal to the Graduate Council (including an appropriate revalidation plan, which may require retaking the courses). See information on Stop-The-Clock, time limitations, and appeals process in the front matter of the Catalog with other Graduate School policies. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this program work in all sectors - public, private, or nonprofit. The specific concentration selected indicates the type of position for which the MPS prepares the student. Those focused on strategic leadership or human resources can apply these managerial skills in many organizational settings. Those graduating with the training and development concentration can likewise seek employment across sectors in positions with a focus on workforce skills enhancement. 

Faculty Credentials

Our faculty with contact information and links to CVs are listed at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/people/index.aspx 

Program Website

https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/degrees/mps.aspx 

Program Coordinator/Contact Information

Rodney Stanley, Ph.D., MPS Program Director and Dean, College of Public Service
rstanley1@tnstate.edu, (615) 963-7249 

Program of Study - MPS with Training and Development concentration (33 credit hours)