Description
The bachelor of science in professional studies is a degree-completion program designed for working professionals. This degree will enable students to maximize transfer credits completed at regionally accredited institutions and complete a bachelor’s degree while maintaining professional and personal responsibilities. In addition to taking online courses, students can earn credit for documented learning acquired through work and life experiences via credit for prior learning. The goal of the professional studies degree is to prepare professionals for the 21st century workplace, regardless of their position. Students benefit from coursework that is designed to make them successful in professional setting. This degree aligns well with most of the career readiness competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The professional studies program is a rigorous yet flexible degree that will accommodate a wide range of individuals seeking to finish their college education with professional skills valued by 21st century employers.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Communicate in written, oral, and multimedia modes as appropriate to professional contexts and audiences.
- Apply digital tools for collaboration and productivity in professional settings.
- Evaluate multiple information resources for use in projects, papers, and presentations.
- Analyze key ethical issues in human conduct scenarios in professional settings.
- Assess an organization’s strengths and areas for improvement using organizational communication and creative leadership theories and frameworks.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. Furthermore, the lowest acceptable grade is a “C” in all major courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next major course without earning a grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below a “C” is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course. The lowest acceptable grade in Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses is a “D,” with the exception of ENG 151 and ENG 152, for which the lowest acceptable grade is a “C.” If a SEE course is required for the major the lowest acceptable grade is a “C.”
A course may be repeated twice without special permission. Students must apply in writing to the dean of the school in which the course resides requesting permission to attempt a course for the third time.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Prerequisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements
| CM 205 | Communication Ethics | 3 credits |
| CM 390 | Organizational Communication | 3 credits |
| GEN 200 | Writing and Research for the Adult Learner | 3 credits |
| IS 260 | Presentation Theory and Application | 3 credits |
| MGT 210 | Business Writing | 3 credits |
| PRST 310 | Creative Leadership | 3 credits |
| PRST 495 | Professional Studies Capstone | 3 credits |
| Professional Electives | 9 credits |
| General Electives | 55 credits |
Professional electives must be at the upper level.
Other Options
The bachelor's to master's option is available for students majoring in professional studies who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a master's degree in one of Stevenson's graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a bachelor's to master's option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their student success coach. For more information on this program see the Admissions section of this catalog.