Programs, Curricula & Courses (PCC) Manual
Introduction
Table of Contents
Programs
Departments
Approval Routes and Times
Centers and Institutes
College Contacts
The Design of Academic Programs
Curriculum Changes
Faculty Governance
Off-Campus and
Distance Learning
Minors
Bachelor's Degrees
Honors Programs
Master's Degrees
Doctoral Degrees
Certificates
Combined Bachelor's /
Master's Degrees
Dual Master's /
Doctoral Degrees
Credentials
Master and Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies
2007-08 Academic Planning and Programs Calendar (Please contact the Graduate School for information about Graduate PCC and Graduate Council meetings.)
Design of Academic Programs
Section XIII: Master of Professional Studies
and Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies
The Master of Professional Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies are designed to allow campus units the flexibility to propose multidisciplinary degree or certificate programs suited to the needs of employees of government or private sector organizations. The templates for the Master of Professional Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies were approved by the Board of Regents and the Maryland Higher Education Commission in February, 2005. Specific requirements for each discrete Master of Professional Studies and Certificate in Professional Studies are approved within the University through the appropriate college or school Dean(s), the Graduate Council PCC, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Senate PCC, the Provost, and the Chancellor.
Master of Professional Studies
The Master of Professional Studies must meet all University of Maryland admissions and degree requirements for the non-thesis master's degree. All courses included in the master's degree or certificate must be approved graduate courses. Offering a course in the program requires the approval from the Department Chair under whose auspices the course is offered. All faculty who teach the courses must be members of the Graduate Faculty.
The 30-credit Master of Professional Studies Degree has the following components:
- A core of at least four courses usually drawn from a current master's degree program;
- Concentrations and electives drawn from a variety of academic unit course offerings to create a coherent multidisciplinary master's degree program.
Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies must meet all University of Maryland admissions and graduate certificate requirements.
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies should be a subset of an approved master's degree program (including the Master of Professional Studies) and has the following components:
- A minimum of 12 credits;
- A core of at least two courses drawn from a master's core component;
- A minimum of two additional courses to form a coherent graduate certificate program.
Oversight, Faculty, and Organization
Requests for the development of a master's or certificate program may be made directly to the Office of Professional Studies, (OPS) the Graduate School or to departments or colleges. In the last case, management through OPS is recommended, but not required. In all cases, however, the Graduate School will be the academic home for the Master of Professional Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies and will hold oversight responsibility. All proposals must indicate an oversight committee to include a regular member of the graduate faculty from the "core" area who will serve as the Graduate Director, a second member of the graduate faculty, a member of the Graduate School, and an administrative manager. Both the Graduate Director and second faculty member must have the approval of their respective department chairs. This committee will provide the academic and administrative oversight for the duration of the degree or certificate program.
Updated 9-10-06
Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Planning & Programs
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