Una's Master Of Professional Studies Program To Offer Concentration In Higher Education

Feb. 12, 2016

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Bryan Rachal, University Communications

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama has added a new specialization to the existing Master of Professional Studies program (MPrS). Beginning this summer, graduate students will be able to take courses in Higher Education Administration as part of the MPrS degree.

The new specialization focuses on students whose chosen career path will lead them to the American two- or four-year systems of higher education. The concentration will feature courses that focus on key aspects of higher ed such as student development and student affairs, enrollment management and institutional marketing, NCAA athletics, contemporary and legal issues, administrative organization, budgetary planning, institutional evaluation and the community college system.

Dr. Craig Robertson, chair of the Interdisciplinary and Professional Studies Department, said the beauty of the higher education specialization and the MPrS degree in general is the flexibility.

"Students can choose which higher education administration course they want and all courses are taught online by seasoned higher education professionals. Core classes in the MPrS program are also available for students that prefer to attend actual physical classes," said Robertson. "Because of that and the affordability of graduate studies at UNA, this concentration is ideal for those currently employed in higher education, who see higher education as part of a career move or undergraduate students who are looking to excel in a college or university setting."

Robertson said the higher education concentration will fit in well with the MPrS degree which is an applied professional program with workforce development, organizational leadership and personal development at the core of its mission.

UNA's Master of Professional Studies degree is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The program is a 33- to 36-credit-hour graduate degree program with a thesis or non-thesis option.

For more information: https://www.una.edu/mps

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and Nursing. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. UNA also operates a renowned collegiate athletic program in NCAA Division II's Gulf South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin. http://www.una.edu/