Professional Studies Course Descriptions
PS 3001: Portfolio Development for Prior Learning Assessment
Prerequisite: the student must have successfully completed 60 hours of credit which includes all general education
requirements and 12 hours of coursework after being admitted to the Professional Studies degree.
The basis for requesting credit for prior learning is the development of a portfolio with assistance from a faculty advisor.
Every student requesting credit for prior learning must enroll in this course and complete a portfolio which demonstrates
the college-level learning that has resulted from experiences outside a formal academic framework. The student utilizes
this method to document knowledge acquired which is equivalent to upper-division college-level credit.
Note: Credit for PS 3001 applies only to the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree and cannot be applied toward any
other program. Grading is on a Pass/Fail basis.
PS 3003: Project Design
Prerequisites: Completion of the BPS Professional Core and permission of the program advisor.
This course will provide an opportunity for the student to facilitate a process for identifying a specific problem in an actual
industry or business environment relevant to the student's specialty area. The student will outline a formal plan of action
for identifying the problem. The plan must include a broad scan of the specific area/operation selected including the
names and titles of the individuals surveyed for input. The end product will be the development of a formal needs
assessment which identifies deficiencies or areas of improvement. The needs should be prioritized on the basis of
feasibility, cost, and urgency.
PS 3023: Professional Communications
Prerequisites: 6 hours of English Composition and COMS 1003 or BUAD 2003.
This course supports career fields which require competencies in advanced professional communication. Course includes
principles of effective professional communication using technology to generate professionally-prepared materials
including formal correspondence, brochures, public relations materials, graphics, and technical documents.
PS 3133: Applied Principles of Personnel Management
This course supports the needs of professionals whose career fields require competencies in the area of human
resources/personnel management. The focus of the course is on the practical application, essential theories, and process
of personnel management from the perspective of a generalist. Course content will include the essential aspects of
recruitment, selection, training, legal rights and responsibilities, compensation and appraisal.
PS 3143: Applied Professional Research
Prerequisite: Successful completion of General Education math requirement.
This course provides an overview of professional research fundamentals, including instruction in applying citations and
appropriate statistics in professional settings. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, different types of research,
the research process, ethics in research, reference citation models, and statistical concepts.
Note: This course must be taken as a prerequisite for PS 3003 unless waived upon advisor approval.
PS 4003: Capstone Project
Prerequisite: PS 3003
This course capstones the process conducted in PS 3003 by requiring the student to demonstrate competencies required
of a professional in the student's specialty area in an actual business or industry setting. The student will assume a
leadership role in presenting the outcomes of the needs assessment to a group of company stakeholders. On the basis of
empirical research conducted throughout the assessment process, the student will recommend relevant strategies for
addressing the identified problem/s. A review of the literature will serve to either validate or reject the strategies selected.
A continuous process improvement model will be developed along with a detailed continuous process improvement plan
which must be approved and accepted by all relevant stakeholders. The final component of the course will require the
student to demonstrate presentation ability, appropriate leadership styles, critical thinking, and communications skills in a
formal presentation of the strategic plan to the group responsible for implementing the strategies.
PS 4143: Nonprofit Governance
Prerequisite: Successful completion of General Education Math Requirement
This course examines the theoretical, philosophical, practical and ethical perspectives related to the effective
management and leadership of nonprofit organizations in the twenty-first century. Upon completion of the course, the
student will possess an understanding of 1) the historical development of the nonprofit sector, 2) the multiple rationales for
the existence of the nonprofit sector, 3) the distinctive characteristics of nonprofit organizations, 4) the structures,
processes and complexities of organizational governance shared by volunteer board members and professional staff, 5)
the dynamic environment of the contemporary nonprofit organization, and 6) the current issues of importance to nonprofit
decision makers.
PS 4201,4202,4203,4204,4205,4206,4207,4208,4209,4210,4211,4212: Prior Learning
Assessment Credit
Prerequisite: PS 3001
Based on a recommendation from the BPS Director/instructor and reviewed by the dean of Community Education and the
Registrar, the portfolio assessment completed in PS 3001 will determine the number of hours that can be awarded for
prior learning. This variable-credit course provides the opportunity for the student to enroll in the number of hours that
were approved through the portfolio up to a maximum of 12 hours. Regular tuition charges will be applied.
Note: Credit for PS 4201-12 applies only to the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree and cannot be applied toward
any other program. Grading is on a Pass/Fail basis.
PS 4243: Planning for Adult Learners
This course provides the steps and processes required to apply a practical guide to planning education and training
programs for adults in a variety of settings. The program planning model presented captures and reconfigures classical
and current descriptions of the program planning process. The course explores, and applies, a comprehensive 12component model, the Interactive Model of Program Planning, with a focus on the practicality and usefulness as a
technical description of the planning process, the emphasis on people being the heart of the process, and the importance
of context as a centering point for action.
PS 4343: Community Development
This course covers the basic principles and issues in community development in the United States. Topics include: the
definition of community; community assessment; methods of planning and problem solving; community needs; community
assets; and community activism; and evaluating community based organizations. Students will work individually and in
groups to design a non-profit organization based on a community needs assessment. The focus will be on assessment,
planning, leadership, financing, and evaluating a community-based organization.
PS 4443: Professional Leadership
This course provides an overview of various leadership styles practiced by professionals in the public and private sector.
The focus of the leadership skills identified will focus on the following competency areas: operations management,
technology applications, facilities planning and management, human resource management, fiscal management, and
organizational behavior.
PS 4951,4952,4953,4954: Undergraduate Research in Professional Studies
Offered: On demand
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Advanced students carry out independent research activity relating to a significant problem in a major field of study.
Supervised by faculty member. Formal report and presentation required.
Note: One to four credits depending on problem selected and effort made.
PS 4991,4992,4993,4994: Special Problems in Professional Studies
This course is designed to address current issues and topics relevant to professional disciplines in the workforce. Content
will be determined by contemporary trends and timely issues.