Master of Professional Studies

Master of Professional Studies (MPS or M.P.S.) is a type of master's degree concentrated in an applied field of study. MPS degrees are often interdisciplinary. While Master of Arts and Master of Science degree programs tend to focus on research and theory, Master of Professional Studies tend to emphasize practical skills designed for current and aspiring professionals including post-bachelor and post-graduate students and often require some amount of fieldwork or internship to complement classroom learning.

Admission to the MPS program typically require documentation of professional experience and competencies in addition to an earned undergraduate degree or postgraduate education and satisfactory standardized test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination.

The Master of Professional Studies is not to be confused with the Master of Public Service offered by the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas, which has the same abbreviation.

Examples

A number of universities in the United States offer MPS degrees in a variety of fields:

• Maryland Institute College of Art offers two MPS degrees through the School for Professional and Continuing Studies. The MPS in the Business of Art and Design program launched in 2011 and focuses small business administration to start up, grow, sustain, or manage an arts-related business. The MPS in Information Visualization program launched in 2012 and focuses on methods of transforming complex data and information into compelling visual narratives through design. Both MICA MPS degrees are intensive, cohort-based, 14 month programs with online coursework and three short residencies on MICA's Baltimore campus.
• New York University offers a terminal MPS degree through the Tisch School of the Arts: Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP).
• The University of Connecticut Center for Continuing Studies offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Homeland Security Leadership (HSL), Human Resource Management (HRM), and Humanitarian Services Administration (HSA).
• Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business offers a Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management.
• State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Professional Development offers a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resource Management.
• Tulane University School of Continuing Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Leadership.
• Northeastern University College of Professional Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media, Informatics and others.
• The University of Maryland, College Park College of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers a Master of Professional Studies in Geospatial Information Sciences. The University of Maryland Colleges of Arts and Sciences, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; formerly offers a Master of Professional Studies in Arabic, but discontinued their program following cuts in federal funding. The University of Maryland, College Park now offers a Master of Professional Studies in Clinical Psychological Science. The program is recently a new addition to the school's extensive list of programs and the program will begin Fall 2013.
• Penn State Harrisburg School of Science, Engineering, and Technology offers a Master of Professional Studies in Engineering Management.
• East Tennessee State University School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Strategic Leadership and Training & Development.
• SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry's Department of Environment Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Environmental Studies.
• The New York School of Interior Design offers a Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design.
• The State University of New York at New Paltz Graduate School offers a Master of Professional Studies in Humanistic/Multicultural Education.
• The New York Theological Seminary offers a Master of Professional Studies only at Sing Sing Prison.
• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Sports Industry Management, Human Resources Management, Technology Management, Emergency and Disaster Management, Urban and Regional Planning, and Journalism.
• The Shintaro Akatsu School of Design at the University of Bridgeport offers a Master of Professional Studies in Design Management.
• Penn State University World Campus (distance education) offers a Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development.
• George Washington University College of Professional Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Publishing
• The University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education offers a Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership.
• Austin Peay State University offers a Master of Professional Studies at Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell "for working adults who wish to pursue graduate professional studies that combine two or more disciplines."
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County Continuing & Professional Studies offers a Master's in Professional Studies in Cybersecurity and [geographic informations systems]].
• The School of Visual Arts offers a Master of Professional Studies in Branding.
• Cornell University Master of Professional Studies is offered in Information Science in the Department of Information Science, in Applied Statistics in the Department of Statistical Science,in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and in Real Estate through the Baker Program in Real Estate
• The University of North Alabama Office of Professional and Interdisciplinary Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Community Development; Security and Safety Leadership; and Information Technology.
• Pratt Institute offers a Master of Professional Studies in Design Management.
• The University of Memphis University College offers a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Leadership; Strategic Leadership; and Training and Development.
• St. John's University College of Professional Studies offers a Master of Professional Studies in Sport Management and Criminal Justice Leadership.
• The University of Denver, the Nyack College.
• Tennessee State University College of Public Service & Urban Affairs: Professional Studies, Public Administration offers Master of Professional Studies degrees in Strategic Leadership, Human Resource Leadership and Training & Development.
• The University of Auckland, New Zealand offers a Master of Professional Studies in International Relations and Human Rights, and Translation.
• The School of Visual Arts in New York City offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Branding.
• Dominican University in River Forest, IL offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Library and Information Science.
• Utica College in New York offers a Master of Professional Studies in Cyber Policy and Risk Analysis.