Professional Studies
About the Program
Bachelor of Science Degree: 180.0 quarter credits
The Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies is a multidisciplinary major that prepares students to move into the professional ranks of an organization. Coursework for the major is constructed around five domains that are central to modern professional life—social science (understanding people in a diverse world), critical thinking, creativity, communication, and business. The curriculum is designed to enable students to become professionals in their field of choice, building on their prior education and experience.
The program is designed for aspiring professionals in any industry. Students are encouraged to take the technical knowledge they already possess in their fields, and learn to utilize it as creative and innovative leaders and communicators.
Career Opportunities
The program helps students from a variety of industries improve their professional skills and strengthen their position in the job market. Industries with employees that may benefit from the Professional Studies include, but are not limited to:
- Telecommunications
- Aerospace
- Pharmaceutical
- Retail
Opportunities for Professional Studies graduates include:
- Career advancement within students’ current organizations and industries
- Preparation to pursue a master's degree in a variety of areas
Program Delivery Options
The Professional Studies degree-completion program offers several flexible delivery options. This major is delivered in a variety of formats so that part-time students can complete their degree in the delivery format that best fits their lifestyle.
- Saturday Scholars option: Students who already possess an associate’s degree or equivalent credits may complete their degree entirely on Saturdays through the Goodwin College’s Saturday Scholars program, providing virtually no interruption to their weekday routine.
- Evening option: Students can complete their degree by participating in the Goodwin College’s venerable evening program. Courses meet one night per week for three or four hours.
- Hybrid option: Students who desire maximum flexibility may schedule a blend of Saturday, evening, and online classes.
For more information about this major, visit Goodwin College's Professional Studies web page.
Degree Requirements
| English Composition Requirements | ||
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| Corporate Communication Requirements | ||
| COM 111 | Principles of Communication | 3.0 |
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| COM 270 [WI] | Business Communication | 3.0 |
| Mathematics Requirements | ||
| MATH 181 | Mathematical Analysis I | 3.0 |
| MATH 182 | Mathematical Analysis II | 3.0 |
| MATH 183 | Mathematical Analysis III | 3.0 |
| Natural Science Requirements | ||
| Students select 9.0 credits from the following: ANAT, BIO, CHEM, FDSC, NFS, PHEV, or PHYS. Courses from other departments may be considered with Departmental approval. | 9.0 | |
| Humanities and Social and Behavioral Science Requirements | ||
| ANTH 101 | Introduction to Cultural Diversity | 3.0 |
| PHIL 323 | Organizational Ethics | 3.0 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Approaches to Personality | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Culture and Personality | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Sociology of the Future | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Women & Men in a Changing Society | ||
| Students select one internation or intercultural course. Suggested courses include the following: | 3.0 | |
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Introduction to World Religions | ||
| Humanities Elective * | 3.0 | |
| Business Minor Requirements ** | ||
| Select six of the following | 24.0 | |
| Financial Accounting Foundations | ||
| Business Law I | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Finance | ||
| Introduction to Marketing Management | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Operations Management | ||
| Introduction to Business Statistics | ||
| Professional Studies Core | ||
| CAT 200 | Strategies for Lifelong Learning | 3.0 |
| CAT 201 [WI] | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
| CAT 302 | Customer Service Theory and Practice | 3.0 |
| CAT 360 | Applied Organizational Research | 3.0 |
| CRTV 301 | Foundations in Creativity | 3.0 |
| CRTV 302 | Tools and Techniques in Creativity | 3.0 |
| CRTV 303 | Creativity in the Workplace | 3.0 |
| PROJ 301 | Introduction to Project Management | 3.0 |
| PRST 211 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3.0 |
| PRST 212 | Creative Studies in the World Wide Web | 3.0 |
| PRST 303 | Interpersonal Skills for Virtual Teams | 3.0 |
| PRST 330 | Career & Professional Development | 3.0 |
| PRST 440 | Policy Analysis | 3.0 |
| PRST 450 | Creative Leadership for Professionals | 3.0 |
| PRST 491 [WI] | Professional Portfolio I (not available online) | 3.0 |
| PRST 492 [WI] | Professional Portfolio II (not available online) | 3.0 |
| Free Electives **** | 48.0 | |
| Depending on transfer credits and professional goals, students may use free electives to pursue a minor/certificate. Students should see their advisor for details. | ||
| Total Credits | 180.0 | |
| * | Students select one humanities elective, such as English (ENGL); history (HIST); philosophy (PHIL); fine arts, or a foreign language course. |
| ** | No more than 2 transferred courses may be used to complete the minor. A grade of C (2.0) or better must be earned in each courses in the Minor in Business. |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
Courses
PRST 180 Special Topics in PRST 1.0-4.0 Credit
Covers special topics related to Professional Studies. Allows the college to offer new, specialized lower-level topics of interest and relevance to the major.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 11 times for 12 credits
PRST 211 Computer Applications for Professionals 3.0 Credits
Through lecture-demonstrations, hands-on labs, independent study assignments, and case study analysis, students are challenged to use critical-thinking, data analysis and problem-solving techniques to develop cost-efficient and effective solutions to realistic professional problems using computer-based business application software. Students should possess a basic level of computer proficiency before taking this course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
PRST 212 Creative Studies in the World Wide Web 3.0 Credits
This course prepares professionals with an understanding of the process of developing creative, functional Web sites. Concentrating on the creative flow of the design process, the course uses Adobe Dreamweaver as the medium for development. Students should possess a basic level of computer proficiency before taking this course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
PRST 303 Interpersonal Skills for Virtual Teams 3.0 Credits
This course will introduce students to the dynamics of virtual teamwork and will allow students to experience first-hand the opportunities and challenges associated with operating in a virtual environment.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
PRST 330 Career & Professional Development 3.0 Credits
This course explores the literature of careers including preparation, organizational entry, orientation, nontraditional careers, and early, mid, and later career issues. The course provides students with opportunities for assessment of interests and capabilities, initiation and implementation of a personal development plan (PDP), and feedback on personal and career development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
PRST 380 Advanced Special Topics in PRST 1.0-4.0 Credit
Covers special topics of interest in Professional Studies. This course may be repeated for credit.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 11 times for 12 credits
PRST 399 Independent Study in Professional Studies 0.5-6.0 Credits
Provides individual study or research in Professional Studies under faculty supervision. This course may be repeated for credit.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 11 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is PRST.
PRST 440 Policy Analysis 3.0 Credits
The course analyzes the entire process of policy agenda-setting, initiation, decision-making, implementation, evaluation and assessment. Students will be equipped with tools to analyze and understand the entire process of policy formation in any public or private enterprise. The skills developed in this course can be used in many professional fields.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Sophomore
PRST 450 Creative Leadership for Professionals 3.0 Credits
This course presents leadership as a collaborative focus for transforming change. Topics include the leadership crisis, differences between leadership and management, how leaders create and change culture, and ways in which leaders build creative, enduring organizations. In addition, the course is designed to help students develop their own leadership potential.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Sophomore
PRST 491 [WI] Professional Portfolio I 3.0 Credits
The professional portfolio is a two-course capstone project that provides Professional Studies majors with an opportunity to demonstrate achievement in their major and to engage in self-reflection. Components include reflective essays and carefully chosen samples of academic and relevant professional work completed during the college experience. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is PRST and classification is Junior.
Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Junior or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
Prerequisites: COM 270 [Min Grade: D] and CAT 301 [Min Grade: D] and CRTV 301 [Min Grade: D] and CRTV 302 [Min Grade: D] and CRTV 303 [Min Grade: D] and PRST 440 [Min Grade: D] and PRST 450 [Min Grade: D]
PRST 492 [WI] Professional Portfolio II 3.0 Credits
Requires completion of the professional portfolio begun on PRST 491. Components of Professional Portfolio II include creative expression, future directions, and reflect on the major and the experience of creating a portfolio. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is PRST and classification is Junior.
Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Junior or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
Prerequisites: COM 230 [Min Grade: C] and CAT 360 [Min Grade: C] and PRST 491 [Min Grade: C]
