The Training and Development, M.P.S. (Master of Professional Studies) is an interdisciplinary
graduate degree program designed for working professionals who wish to earn a graduate
degree and excel in their careers. This program is:
- Designed for the working adult
- Completely Online
- Flexible Schedule
- No GRE required with 5 years' work experience
This 30-hour program combines the social sciences and the professions to make it directly
applicable for the working adult who wants to increase income and promotion possibilities.
Since it is offered 100% online and available 24/7, it easily fits around almost
any schedule.
The value of education is recognized as increasingly critical to the successful workplace,
and the need for teachers and trainers to provide that education has grown exponentially.
This Training and Development concentration offers preparation for teaching adults
in the corporate training environment or facilitating courses in an online environment.
Students can choose a specialization by picking two classes from six electives involving
computer-based technology for e-training, e-training advanced instructional design,
engaging adult online learners, project planning and scheduling, human resources management,
HR law, and workplace diversity.
The program culminates with a professional project. This program has been recognized
by Grad School Hub as the 2nd most affordable online training and development program
in the country as well as one of the fastest training and development program in the
nation by Great Business Schools.
Wisdom moves up HVAC ranks with Training and Development, M.P.S.
Paul Wisdom, who went into the HVAC business straight from high school, notched a
4.0 while earning his master’s from MTSU online in the Training and Development concentration
at age 49. “That is pretty good for a kid that wasn’t college material,” Wisdom says.
He was also promoted to field service representative at Trane, where he landed after
also finishing his bachelor’s degree online at MTSU in 2008. “The flexibility in time
that online courses offer in no way diminishes the amount of time required to complete
the work,” Wisdom says. “It simply allowed me to work on my studies late in the day,
early in the morning, or whenever I had a spare moment.” Wisdom, a technical instructor
since 1992, discovered new strategies for his responsibilities of developing and delivering
training courses and materials, especially “beginning with the end in sight.” He set
an example for his three children for college, too – oldest son graduated in May 2016,
second son is in college, and daughter begins in fall 2016.
McFall earns Training and Development, M.P.S. from MTSU while working in Zambia
Brittany McFall was living and working in Zambia when she chose MTSU’s Master of Professional
Studies program for its flexibility. McFall, a 2015 M.P.S. graduate in the Training
and Development concentration, was working with training teachers and local counterparts
on varied environmental and health topics and wanted to know more about the professional
development field. “I enjoyed the opportunity to work with students with varied professional
backgrounds and experiences,” she says. MTSU’s online program allowed her to study
and earn a degree from a “brick and mortar” university while working abroad. “I loved
the ability to move across the world without disrupting my studies,” she says. “Many
things changed during the time that I was working on my degree. I moved across the
globe, changed jobs, and had a baby.” After her husband began his graduate studies,
McFall is now running the University of Oregon club sports office, working with student
leaders, and assisting with integral training. McFall holds a B.A. in Anthropology
from Brooklyn College.
Related Media
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MTSU College of Graduate Studies
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MTSU | The University of Opportunities
The Training and Development master’s program is designed for those interested in
organizational needs analysis, instructional design, human resources management, and
other areas of training and development. Some potential career paths for graduates
from this program:
- Human resources manager
- Company training manager
Employers of MTSU alumni include
This information is still being compiled.
View the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook for Training and Development Managers.
MTSU offers the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), an online program designed
for working professionals, with three concentrations available: Human Resources Leadership, Strategic Leadership, and Training and Development.
Each M.P.S. program consists of 12 hours of core requirements, 15 hours related directly
to the concentration, and a 3-hour culminating professional project.
Applicants must have the following:
- 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 admission)
- completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with acceptable scores (generally at least 146 verbal, 144 quantitative, and
4.0 on analytical writing), OR a non-GRE option is available for those with a 2.75
GPA or higher and five (5) years of professional full-time work experience requiring
the submission of a portfolio of works.
- competency in word processing, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets,
and databases (Students must be computer literate—using email, posting discussions,
using chat, web page 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
Applicants who do not meet the criteria for unconditional admission may apply as a
non-degree seeking student and take up to 6 hours before officially applying to the
program.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.
Professional Studies, Training and Development Concentration, M.P.S.
Pamela D. Morris, Program Director
(615) 898-5920
Pamela.Morris@mtsu.edu
The University College offers the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) with concentrations in Human Resources Leadership, Leadership in Nutrition, Operations Research, Strategic Leadership, and Training and Development. For more information, contact Pamela.Morris@mtsu.edu, call (615) 898-5920, or visit www.mtsu.edu/mps.
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 admission);
- three (3) letters of recommendation;
- completion of a portfolio of works OR Graduate Record Examination (GRE) based on criteria below:
- completion of a portfolio of works for those with a 3.25 GPA or higher; OR
- completion of a portfolio of works for those with a 2.75 GPA or higher and five (5) years of professional full-time work experience; OR
- completion of the GRE General Test with acceptable scores;
- 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.
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.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
- 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 Pamela.Morris@mtsu.edu or going to www.mtsu.edu/university-college/mps/portfolio.php.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in Training and Development requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours.
Candidate must
- complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
- complete a professional project during the final semester of the program.
Curriculum: Professional Studies, Training and Development
The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.
Core Courses (12 hours)
PRST 6000 - Leading Organizational Transformation
3credit hours
Focuses on the leadership aspects of creating, implementing, and monitoring initiatives that will help an organization's employees make the essential transitions necessary to enable their organization to successfully transform to the needs of its operational environment.
PRST 6100 - Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics
3credit hours
Introduces the discipline of ethics and values. Explores the various theories and practices that have led to, and continue to dominate the study of ethics and values in public service. Students will display their knowledge of ethics and values in various reading, writing, and oratorical assignments.
PRST 6300 - Research Methods
3credit hours
Study and application of research methods appropriate to professional studies. Provides a general introduction to research methods as well as providing practical exposure to problem statements, literature reviews, writing the research proposal, and organizations of the research report. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies briefly covered in preparation for later courses in these areas.
PRST 6600 - Statistical Analysis
3credit hours
Prerequisite: PRST 6300. Explores the fundamental principles that form the foundation of the scientific process. Ultimate goal is to enhance student's ability to effectively interpret and translate the results of research.
Training and Development Concentration (12 hours)
HSC 6530 - Effective Program Management
3credit hours
Addresses the knowledge and skills required for developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating programs to meet the needs of for-profit and nonprofit organizations. In addition, it covers the aspects of writing grant proposals to support those programs.
PRST 6400 - Instructional Design for Training and Development
3credit hours
Provides a broad introduction to training and development as a field of study and practice. Designed for training and development specialists as well as organizational leaders focused on continually improving human and organizational performance.
PRST 6410 - Evaluation of Learning
3credit hours
Prerequisites: PRST 6100, PRST 6200, PRST 6300, and PRST 6400. Covers concepts and skills used in evaluation models, theories, and best practices. Major components include determining what happened in the classroom with instructors, learners, and the course content; the effect of overall training and development program as it supports corporate initiatives, strategies, goals, and objectives.
PRST 6470 - Facilitation of Learning
3credit hours
Prerequisite: PRST 6400. Offers preparation for trainers to design and facilitate training programs that will work effectively and efficiently with adult learners. Provides the necessary theory and experience to ensure competent facilitation of learning. Students will plan and conduct training modules and receive feedback on their style of facilitation.
Specialization Option (3 hours)
Students will select at lease one of the following courses:
BCED 5660 - Corporate Communication
3credit hours
Prerequisite: BCED 3510 or equivalent. Research and analysis of case studies of significant research; case studies in business communication; communication policies, principles, and procedures from the executive's viewpoint.
BCED 6680 - Women and Minorities in Business
3credit hours
Advancement of women and minorities as entrepreneurs and their roles on local, regional, and national boards of directors. Students interview local entrepreneurs to gain knowledge of being an entrepreneur in the twenty-first century.
BLAW 6520 - Current Legal Topics in Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Fraud
3credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate standing; BLAW 3400 with minimum grade of C. Delves into current legal topics in corporate law and governance, including the division of power and responsibilities between the board of directors, board committees, officers, auditors, and shareholders; securities laws and other fraud topics; the duty of care and other fiduciary duties of directors, officers and auditors; special problems of closely held organizations; how governance models compare across the globe; and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Includes research related cases in key industries of their prospective careers, such as the healthcare and audit services.
MGMT 6680 - Seminar in Human Resources Management
3credit hours
Focuses on the responsibility all managers and leaders have with respect to an organization's greatest asset-it's people. Explores the human resource management fundamentals such as compensation, employment law, human resource development, and talent management. Uses applied, high-impact assignments integrated with other relevant content, including current research, emerging trends, global issues, and technology.
Professional Project (3 or 4 hours)
PRST 6998 - Professional Project
3 to 4credit hours
Capstone course for the Master of Professional Studies degree. The integrative culmination of the program of study.
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.
Students applying for EXL Scholar Designation should take EXL 6000 for 1 credit hour.
NOTE:
MPS students are limited to no more than 6 hours of prior learning assessment (PLA) credit and transfer credit combined.
Since this degree program is supported by courses through the Tennessee e-Campus,
faculty come from participating state universities.
Scholarships
General
Admission
Professional Project
Online or Hybrid Programs at a Glance
This program is available fully online.
For More Information or Explore Your Options
Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.
The Online Advantage
With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person.
Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.
