DAN LATTIMORE, PhD
Dean
218 Brister Hall

RICHARD L. IRWIN, EdD
Associate Dean
218 Brister Hall
(901) 678-4596

KEITH D. SISSON, PhD
Graduate Coordinator
100 Brister Hall
(901) 678-3066
ksisson@memphis.edu

http://www.memphis.edu/univcoll

Individual program requirements described in The University of Memphis Graduate Bulletin, 2012-2013, are subject to change. Please consult your department or the Graduate School web page for changes that may occur before publication of the next issue of this Bulletin. All graduate students must comply with the general requirements of the Graduate School (see Admissions Regulations, Academic Regulations, and Minimum Degree Requirements) as well as the program requirements of the degree being pursued.

The University College offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) and the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) with concentrations in Strategic Leadership, Human Resources Leadership, and Training and Development.

The objectives of the MALS program are to develop: (1) an ability to conceive and develop an interdisciplinary program of study; (2) a high level of proficiency in written and verbal communication skills; (3) an ability to integrate research from various disciplinary perspectives in an interdisciplinary program of study; and (4) an ability to identify and research a topic from interdisciplinary perspectives and communicate the findings in oral and written presentations.

The Master of Professional Studies includes concentrations in Strategic Leadership, Human Resources Leadership, and Training and Development. Each represents an interdisciplinary graduate degree for leaders in the workplace; each concentration includes coursework in leadership, communication, strategic planning and assessment, organizational structure, and research/data analysis.

I. Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program at the University of Memphis allows students to customize an interdisciplinary course of study. The program is for those seeking the personal enrichment provided by liberal learning and the development of intellectual skills necessary to lifelong learning—critical reading, scholarly writing, and the art of interpersonal communication.

A. Program Admission and Prerequisites

Applicants to the program are evaluated as they apply and may be admitted for the fall, spring or summer sessions. Application for admission to the program consists of three steps:

1. Application for admission to the Graduate School: The Graduate School at the University of Memphis accepts applications via electronic submission at www.memphis.edu/admissions/apply.php
2. The Application Essay and Letters of Recommendation: Instructions for completing this step are available under the MALS admissions information link at www.memphis.edu/univcoll/gradprograms/ma_liberalstudies.php
3. Personal interview with the MALS Graduate Coordinator.

B. Program Requirements

Because each MALS student follows a unique course of study, students develop a contract with the University College to create a program that satisfies both the interdisciplinary intent of the MALS program and the Graduate School’s requirements for graduation.

At the time of admission to the MALS program, the Graduate Coordinator approves the student’s course of study as reflected on the Coordinated Study grid that accompanies the application essay. Students then enroll each semester in available courses from the approved plan. Within two weeks after the start of the final semester they must submit a final Program Contract that reiterates the student’s academic goals (if necessary, reflecting any changes that have developed since admission) and identifies the Coordinated Study courses actually completed. Major deviations from the original approved plan require department pre-approval and will be addressed at the time of registration each semester.

The program requirements are:

1. Successful completion of the MALS degree requires thirty-three (33) credit hours, with a minimum of 24 credit hours at the 7000 level, twelve (12) of which are included in the MALS core.
2. The MALS core is required of all students, and consists of twelve (12) credit hours including UNIV 7000 Foundations of Liberal Studies, UNIV 7100 Research in Interdisciplinary Studies, UNIV 7200 Liberal Studies Seminar, and UNIV 7996 Capstone Project (see below for course descriptions).
3. The Coordinated Study is comprised of twenty-one (21) credit hours selected from two or more disciplines, with a maximum of 12 credit hours from any one discipline. At least 12 hours must be 7000-level courses. No more than six (6) credit hours may be from non-core UNIV courses, including UNIV 7796 Independent Study and/or UNIV 7110 Internship.
4. Transfer credit is limited to nine (9) semester hours. Credit previously earned at another university must be presented for evaluation not later than the end of the student’s second semester of enrollment.
5. Successful completion of UNIV 7996 Capstone Project, followed by an oral presentation and comprehensive examination.

II. Master of Professional Studies (MPS) Degree Program

A. Program Admission and Prerequisites

Applicants to the program are evaluated as they apply and may be admitted for the fall, spring or summer sessions. All applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

1. Completion of an undergraduate degree with a grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university.
2. An acceptable score on the GRE General Test.
3. Applicants with five or more years of professional work experience may submit a portfolio in lieu of the GRE. The portfolio is to include: a resume; a 500 to 600 word essay detailing motivation for entering the MPS program and how the program will help the applicant achieve personal and professional goals; and two sealed letters of professional reference. Applicants may also include a detailed description of professional responsibilities, professional achievements, and professional awards/recognitions, if applicable.

B. Program Requirements

1. Completion of MPS program core: PRST 7100 Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics; PRST 7200 Globalization and the Professions; PRST 7300 Research Methods and PRST 7998 Professional Project, followed by an oral presentation and comprehensive examination.
2. Completion of 21 semester hours of Concentration Courses (and electives where applicable).
   
   1. For the Strategic Leadership Concentration, complete at least one course from each of five subject areas and two additional classes from any of the subject areas:
      
      1. Leadership Theory: PRST 7500 Foundations of Leadership; LDSP 7000 Current Issues and Cases in Leadership; or ELPA 7560 Small Group Leadership
      2. Research/Data Analysis: PRST 7770 Computer-Based Decision Modeling or PRST 7600 Statistical Analysis
      3. Organizational Structure and Change: PADM 7310 Leadership in Organization or PRST 7800 Organizational Skills and Development
      4. Communication: COMM 7110 Leadership and Communication; JOUR 7450 Public Relations Management; or PRST 7700 Conflict Management and Negotiation
      5. Strategic Planning and Assessment: PRST 7105 Project Planning and Scheduling or PRST 7040 Human Resources Management
   2. For the Human Resources Leadership concentration, complete all four of the Concentration Courses, plus one course from number 2 below and two courses from number 3 below:
      1. Concentration Courses: PRST 7040 Human Resources Management; PRST 7600 Statistical Analysis; PRST 7910 Employment and Human Resources Law; and PRST 7920 Diversity in the Workplace
      2. Choose one: PRST 7500 Foundations of Leadership or PRST 7310 Leadership in Organizations
      3. Choose two: PRST 7700 Conflict Management and Negotiation; PRST 7930 Compensation and Benefits; PRST 7940 Recruitment, Selection, and Retention; PRST 7430 Instructional Design for Training and Development
   3. For the Training and Development Concentration, complete three of the four Concentration Courses, all Specialization Courses in one of the two focus areas, and one elective from any course in the MPS program:
      1. Concentration Courses (choose three): PRST 7410 Evaluation of Learning; PRST 7420 Organizational Needs Analysis; PRST 7770 Computer-Based Decision Modeling; PRST 7600 Statistical Analysis
      2. Specialization Courses (choose one):
         1. On-Site Training (12 hours): PRST 7105 Project Planning and Scheduling; PRST 7460 Instructional Design for Training and Development; PRST 7470 Facilitation of Learning; and one elective from any course in the MPS program.
         2. Distance Training (12 hours): PRST 7460 Instructional Design for Electronic Training; PRST 7440 Teaching Online; PRST 7450 Computer-Based Instruction; and one elective from any course in the MPS program.
3. Successful completion of PRST 7998 Professional Project, followed by an oral presentation and comprehensive examination.

III. Experiential Learning

Richard L. Irwin, EdD, Associate Dean
(901) 678-4596
218 Brister Hall
www.memphis.edu/univcoll

The University of Memphis believes that rigorous professional and/or personal development occurs in settings outside the traditional classroom and grants experiential learning credit (ELC) to students who demonstrate the academic merit of such experiences. These contexts for ELC include both formal and informal learning that results from worksite training, professional organization certification, community volunteering, and unique life experiences. Students may apply ELC toward degree programs granted by University College.

Experiential learning credit for graduate students is awarded for advanced professional/personal development. Students may be expected to demonstrate a leadership or production capacity.

Experiential learning credit can only be awarded for experiences attained prior to the first term of enrollment in a University College graduate program. A favorable portfolio review will result in one (1) to six (6) credit hours posted to the student’s transcript as UNIV 7110 Internship.

A student may not audit or enroll in a credit course at the University and subsequently seek credit in that course through experiential learning. A student may not earn additional credit for experiences previously awarded ELC.

Graduate students are encouraged to submit notification of intent to apply for ELC no later than the first term of enrollment. Experiential learning credit is only granted upon the written recommendation of the University College Graduate Studies Director (or designated representative).

For more details on the systematic process implemented by the University College for evaluating and credentialing experiential learning, see http://www.memphis.edu/univcoll/experiential-learning.php.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (UNIV)

In addition to the courses below, the department may offer the following Special Topics courses:
UNIV 7003-05. Special Topics. (3). Selected topics course based on current as well as emerging issues and/or trends of topical interest.

UNIV 7000 - Fndtns Liberal Studies (3)
Analytical introduction to graduate liberal studies and its theoretical framework; readings in and concerning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. PREREQUISITE: Approval of MALS program coordinator. Must be taken during the first semester in the MALS program.

UNIV 7001 - Grad Asst Wksp Teachng (3)
Overview and practical demonstrations in the art of teaching; discussion of research procedures. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours. Credits earned in this course may not be used to fulfill degree requirements in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Prerequisite: Graduate assistantship in University College. Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.

UNIV 7002 - Seminar in University Studies (3)
Analysis of contemporary issues and trends in various topics. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

UNIV 7100 - Rsrch/Intrdiscipl Study (3)
Methods of inquiry and research appropriate to interdisciplinary studies. PREREQUISITE: Approval of MALS major advisor and MALS program coordinator.

UNIV 7110 - Internship (1-6)
Experiential learning allowing students the opportunity to supplement academic instruction and demonstrate application as well as development of knowledge and skills in a practical setting related to student's educational objectives. PREREQUISITE: Approval of Internship Contract (S/U).

UNIV 7200 - Liberal Studies Sem (3)
Interdisciplinary examination of major issue, historical period, theme. Subject matter will change from semester to semester. PREREQUISITE: Admission to MALS program or permission of instructor and MALS program coordinator.

UNIV 7205 - Guerrilla Warfare & Terrorism (3)
An examination of the history of, and complex relationship between, guerrilla warfare and terrorism emphasizing their impact on American society in the 21st century.

UNIV 7210 - Rise and Fall of Empires (3)
May serve as a course substitute for UNIV 7200 Liberal Studies Seminar.

UNIV 7300 - Prof Issues & Ethics (3)
Classical approaches to ethics presented with their application to decision points confronted in various professions, as well as analysis of issues of diversity and moral responsibility in professional practice.

UNIV 7350 - Globalization&Professns (3)
Examines relationship between globalization and the professions.

UNIV 7796 - Independent Study (1-3)
Research into interdisciplinary area of study supportive of individualized MALS program. May be repeated once. PREREQUISITE: Approval of MALS out-of-class learning contract by instructor of record, student?s major advisor, and MALS program coordinator. Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.

UNIV 7996 - Special Project (3)
Supervised research based upon knowledge and skills learned in MALS program. Creative or performance component acceptable. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of UNIV 7100; approval of MALS special project contract by major advisor and MALS program coordinator. Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.

UNIV 7998 - Professional Project (3)
Supervised research that serves as the integrative culmination for the Master of Professional Studies student. PREREQUISITE: Approval of Professional Project contract by faculty advisor and the MPS program coordinator.Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (PRST)

PRST 7100 - Prof Envron/Issue/Ethic (3)
Classical approaches to ethics presented with their application to decision points confronted in various professions, as well as analysis of issues of diversity and moral responsibility in professional practice.

PRST 7105 - Project Planning & Scheduling (3)
Contemporary methods used in project planning and scheduling; emphasis on critical path method (CPM) with computer application; solution of actual problems stressed. Prerequisites: Admission to the MPS Program or Departmental approval.

PRST 7200 - Globalization/Profsns (3)
Analysis of globalization and its effects on the workplace, including the interactions of advancing communications technology, multi-national corporations, and global societies.

PRST 7300 - Research Methods (3)
The study and application of research methods appropriate to professional studies.

PRST 7470 - Facilitation of Learning (3)
Prepares trainers to design and facilitate programs that work effectively and efficiently with adult learners; provides necessary theory and experience to ensure competent facilitation of learning; students plan and conduct training sesstions and receive feedback.

PRST 7920 - Diversity in the Workplace (3)
Examines processes and techniques to conduct an organizational analysis and identify training needs in an organizational environment, with emphasis on how language, gender, race, tradition, education, economic structure, and organizational philosphy interact.

PRST 7998 - Professional Project (3)
Supervised research that serves as the integrative culmination for the Master of Professional Studies student. PREREQUISITE: Approval of Professional Project contract by faculty advisor and the MPS program coordinator.Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.