Professional Studies, Master of
As traditional fields and disciplines continue to overlap, there is a growing demand for a workforce with knowledge in more than one area of study. As part of Saint Louis University's Master of Professional Studies, you will use applied research skills, evidence-based problem solving and the integration of theory and practice across two or more disciplines. By choosing a primary area of study paired with a secondary area of focus, you can diversify your education and gain a unique combination of skills to meet today’s workplace demands.
Whether you’re looking to advance into a leadership role in your current organization or pursue a graduate degree before entering the workforce, SLU's Master of Professional Studies can be tailored to build the experience you need for your specific career path.
Faculty
As a student in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, you’ll learn from exceptional faculty who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom and are dedicated to your professional success. Learn more on our faculty page.
Curriculum Overview
Unlike traditional graduate programs that focus on a single discipline, SLU's multi-disciplinary Master of Professional Studies program allows you to choose from a range of professionally focused concentrations. You will choose a primary and secondary area of concentration in consultation with your academic coach.
Examples of the Master of Professional Studies structure include (but are not limited to) concentrations in the following areas:
- Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Evidence-Based Decision Making
- Information Systems
- Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutic Management
- Organizational Development
- Organizational Leadership
- Project Management
- Strategic Intelligence
- Emergency Management (Homeland Security)
The two standard courses include ORLD 5050 Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making and AA 5221 Applied Analytics & Methods I. The standard capstone includes a series of three one-credit master’s research project coursework, where you will be expected to demonstrate competencies from both your primary and secondary concentration.
Careers
SLU's multi-disciplinary Master of Professional Studies structure prioritizes applied research skills, ethical evidence-based problem solving, and the integration of theory and practice across two or more disciplines. By engaging a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving, students will develop their capacity to identify, delineate and research key problems, building an empowered learning approach to enhance their professional careers.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| Online Graduate Degrees and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates | $790 |
| Tuition | Total Program Cost |
|---|---|
| On-Ground MS Analytics, MS Cybersecurity, MS Information Systems, Master of Professional Studies, MS Project Management | $36,000 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid/index.php.
- Graduates will be able to utilize argumentation skills appropriate for a given problem or context.
- Graduates will be able to apply program-specific knowledge across disciplines to address practical problems using an ethical, evidence-based framework.
- Additional learning outcomes include a graduate's primary concentration’s discipline-specific learning outcome(s).
- Additional learning outcomes include a graduate's secondary concentration’s discipline-specific learning outcome(s).
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- Undergraduate degree (most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better)
- Official transcript from a degree-granting institution
- Statement of purpose (about 500 words)
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- External reference recommendations (encouraged but not required)
Upon admission, a new online student* must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first term coursework.
- *
This is for 100% online students only. International on-campus graduate students will meet their academic coach at on-campus orientation.
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Some examples of demonstrated English language proficiency include minimum score requirements for the following standardized tests:
- Paper-based TOEFL: 550
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE: 54
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| Primary Concentration | 12 | |
Students choose their primary concentration from one of the approved graduate certificates | ||
| Secondary Concentration | 12 | |
Students choose their secondary concentration from one of the approved graduate certificates | ||
| Masters Research Project | 3 | |
Students enroll in 5961-5963 in the subject area of their primary concentration | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
100% Online Roadmap
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| Primary Concentration Required Course #1 | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| Primary Concentration Required Course #2 | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| Secondary Concentration Required Course #1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| Primary Concentration Required Course #3 | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Secondary Concentration Required Course #2 | 3 | |
| XXXX 5961 | Masters Research Project I | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| Secondary Concentration Required Course #3 | 3 | |
| XXXX 5962 | Masters Research Project II | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| Primary Concentration Required Course #4 | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Secondary Concentration Required Course #4 | 3 | |
| XXXX 5963 | Masters Research Project III | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Hybrid Roadmap - MPS Information Systems Leadership
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| IS 5000 | Enterprise Architecture and Systems Infrastructure | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| IS 5100 | Information Systems Strategy and Management | 3 |
| IS 5200 | Software Development | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| IS 5400 | Managing a Secure Enterprise | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| ORLD 5010 | Contemporary Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| ORLD 5350 | Team Leadership | 3 |
| IS 5961 | Masters Research Project I | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| ORLD 5100 | Prof Leadership Development | 3 |
| IS 5962 | Masters Research Project II | 1 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| ORLD 5650 | Future-Focused Leadership | 3 |
| IS 5963 | Masters Research Project III | 1 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |