The Human Resources Leadership, M.P.S. (Master of Professional Studies) is an interdisciplinary
graduate degree program designed for working professionals who wish to earn a graduate
degree and excel in their careers. This program is:
- Designed for the working adult
- Completely Online
- Flexible Schedule
- No GRE required with 5 years' work experience
This 30-hour program combines the social sciences and the professions to make it directly
applicable for the working adult who wants to increase income and promotion possibilities.
Since it is offered 100% online and available 24/7, it easily fits around almost
any schedule.
Human resources professionals are increasingly becoming an integral part of an organization’s
strategic planning process. Company executives today are turning to HR professionals
for policy directives and creative ways to use human capital for improved performance
results. The HR Leadership coursework focuses on a variety of workplace factors (economic,
environmental, ethical, legal, political, and administrative) and the impact they
can have on organizational productivity, performance, and behavior. The program helps
students build a strong foundation in HR principles and procedures and develop critical
thinking skills required to make decisions and solve problems concerning the human
side of an organization.
The Human Resources Leadership concentration allows working professionals to earn
a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) around their schedules and boost their careers
through a 24/7 online program. The 30-hour degree plan culminates with a professional
project, typically related to the student’s work.
Adult learner thrives at MTSU, begins work on doctoral degree
Mary Kate Allen returned to MTSU as an adult seeking to finish her bachelor’s degree.
She had started college in 2004, but due to personal tragedy, she left that school.
She completed her associate’s degree in 2016 and made the move back to Tennessee and
MTSU in 2018. She finished her degree and graduated within a year, and continued right
on into graduate school in the M.P.S. program for Human Resources Leadership. “I had
my village [at MTSU], and I felt established enough to keep going,” she said. Despite
losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, she carried on and finished the program
in the Spring of 2021 with a GPA above 3.5. “I am thriving amidst the chaos, and I
feel very grateful for the wonderful professors at MTSU who have worked with me,”
Allen said about her educational journey. She’s now going for her third MTSU degree,
a doctoral degree in higher education. (Photo: Karlyn Stanley)
Human Resources Leadership, M.P.S. helps Eaton with current and future career
Leanne Eaton, director of Coffee County Juvenile Court’s Youth Services Office, is
pursuing MTSU’s new Human Resources Leadership concentration for her M.P.S. degree.
Eaton, holding the supervisory position for 18 of her 25 years in the court system,
has long been interested in employee development and training, as well as employment
law. She has served on county employee compensation and personnel review committees.
“Not only have I been able to utilize what I have learned through the M.P.S. program
to enhance my current career, but at some point I plan to pursue a career in human
resources,” she says. “I have learned a wealth of information.” Her professional project
examines issues and conflicts of women in the workplace who share the dual role of
mother and employee. The Youth Services Office, which provides probation supervision
for juvenile offenders, hired Eaton just before her MTSU graduation with a B.S. in
Psychology. A mother of three, Eaton decided to fulfill her lifelong promise to get
a master’s degree when her oldest daughter began college at MTSU in 2013. “She inspired
me to keep working hard,” Eaton says.
Related Media
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MTSU College of Graduate Studies
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MTSU | The University of Opportunities
The Human Resources Leadership master’s degree is designed for working professionals
interested in recruiting, selection, and retention of human capital, compensation,
and benefits, and other areas of human resources management. National job growth for
human resources managers is higher than all other professions on average, and median
annual pay was $102,780 in 2014 for human resources managers. A master’s offers a
competitive edge in a competitive field. Some possible professional opportunities for degree-holders:
- CSA
- HR Compliance Assistant
- HR Coordinator
- HR Generalist
- Vice President
Employers of MTSU alumni
- Access Title
- Heatec, Inc.
- Lincoln Harris CSG
- Tractor Supply Company
- UBS
View the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook for Human Resources Managers.
MTSU offers the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), an online program designed
for working professionals, with three concentrations available: Human Resources Leadership, Strategic Leadership, and Training and Development.
Each M.P.S. program consists of 12 hours of core requirements, 15 hours related directly
to the concentration, and a 3-hour culminating professional project.
Applicants must have the following:
- an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
- an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken (at least 2.75 for
unconditional admission);
- completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with acceptable scores (generally at least 146 verbal, 144 quantitative, and
4.0 on analytical writing), OR a non-GRE option is available for those with a 2.75
GPA or higher and five (5) years of professional full-time work experience requiring
the submission of a portfolio of works.
- competency in word processing, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets,
and databases (Students must be computer literate—using email, posting discussions,
using chat, web page navigation, uploading attachments, etc.—as well as have excellent
time management skills in order to be successful in the online course environment.);
- regular access to a computer and reliable Internet connection
Applicants who do not meet the criteria for unconditional admission may apply as a
non-degree seeking student and take up to 6 hours before officially applying to the
program.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
Professional Studies, Human Resources Leadership Concentration, M.P.S.
Pamela D. Morris, Program Director
(615) 898-5920
Pamela.Morris@mtsu.edu
The University College offers the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) with concentrations in Human Resources Leadership, Leadership in Nutrition, Operations Research, Strategic Leadership, and Training and Development. For more information, contact Pamela.Morris@mtsu.edu, call (615) 898-5920, or visit www.mtsu.edu/mps.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Professional Studies program requires
- an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college;
- an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken (at least 2.75 for unconditional admission);
- completion of a portfolio of works based on criteria below:
for those with a 3.25 GPA or higher; OR
for those with a 2.75 GPA or higher and five (5) years of full-time work experience.
- competency in word processing, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and databases. Students must be computer literate (using email, posting discussions, using chat, web page navigation, uploading attachments, etc.) as well as have excellent time management skills in order to be successful in the online course environment;
- regular access to a computer and reliable Internet connection.
Application Procedures
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicant must
- submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
- submit official transcripts from all collegiate institutions attended;
- submit a portfolio of works for those with a 2.75 GPA or higher and five (5) years of full-time work experience OR those with a 3.25 GPA with less than five (5) years of full-time work experience. Applicants who meet this requirement may inquire about the portfolio requirements by e-mailing Pamela.Morris@mtsu.edu or going to www.mtsu.edu/university-college/mps/portfolio.php.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in Human Resources Leadership requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours.
Candidate must
- complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit (See Curriculum section below for specifics.);
- complete a professional project during the final semester of the program.
Curriculum: Professional Studies, Human Resources Leadership
The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.
Core Courses (12 hours)
PRST 6000 - Leading Organizational Transformation
3credit hours
Focuses on the leadership aspects of creating, implementing, and monitoring initiatives that will help an organization's employees make the essential transitions necessary to enable their organization to successfully transform to the needs of its operational environment.
PRST 6100 - Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics
3credit hours
Introduces the discipline of ethics and values. Explores the various theories and practices that have led to, and continue to dominate the study of ethics and values in public service. Students will display their knowledge of ethics and values in various reading, writing, and oratorical assignments.
PRST 6300 - Research Methods
3credit hours
Study and application of research methods appropriate to professional studies. Provides a general introduction to research methods as well as providing practical exposure to problem statements, literature reviews, writing the research proposal, and organizations of the research report. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies briefly covered in preparation for later courses in these areas.
PRST 6600 - Statistical Analysis
3credit hours
Prerequisite: PRST 6300. Explores the fundamental principles that form the foundation of the scientific process. Ultimate goal is to enhance student's ability to effectively interpret and translate the results of research.
Human Resources Leadership Concentration (15 hours)
Human Resources Theory (9 hours)
BCED 6680 - Women and Minorities in Business
3credit hours
Advancement of women and minorities as entrepreneurs and their roles on local, regional, and national boards of directors. Students interview local entrepreneurs to gain knowledge of being an entrepreneur in the twenty-first century.
BLAW 6520 - Current Legal Topics in Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Fraud
3credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Delves into current legal, ethical and social responsibility issues in corporate governance and fraud. This course will explore fiduciary duties of corporate officers, directors; potential liability of auditors for failure to detect fraud and the need for professional skepticism; new business entity forms to promote social responsibility; agency and worker classification; bankruptcy and fraud; and the future of corporate governance.
MGMT 6680 - Seminar in Human Resources Management
3credit hours
Focuses on the responsibility all managers and leaders have with respect to an organization's greatest asset-it's people. Explores the human resource management fundamentals such as compensation, employment law, human resource development, and talent management. Uses applied, high-impact assignments integrated with other relevant content, including current research, emerging trends, global issues, and technology.
Leadership Theory (3 hours)
Choose one:
MGMT 6740 - Leadership and Motivation
3credit hours
Issues in leadership and motivation in business organizations. An examination of the theoretical framework for leadership and motivation processes serves as foundation. Emphasis on practical issues and applications of leadership development and motivation.
PRST 5510 - Using Teams to Facilitate Organizational Development
3credit hours
Studies organizations as systems and how teams can help facilitate change in organizations.
Specialty Elective (3 hours)
Choose one:
BCED 5660 - Corporate Communication
3credit hours
Prerequisite: BCED 3510 or equivalent. Research and analysis of case studies of significant research; case studies in business communication; communication policies, principles, and procedures from the executive's viewpoint.
COMM 6650 - Conflict Management and Resolution
3credit hours
Explores the role of communication in conflict management/resolution between or among individuals or groups. Potential topics may include interpersonal and workplace conflict, tools for conflict resolution, including mediation and negotiation.
HSC 6530 - Effective Program Management
3credit hours
Addresses the knowledge and skills required for developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating programs to meet the needs of for-profit and nonprofit organizations. In addition, it covers the aspects of writing grant proposals to support those programs.
PRST 6400 - Instructional Design for Training and Development
3credit hours
Provides a broad introduction to training and development as a field of study and practice. Designed for training and development specialists as well as organizational leaders focused on continually improving human and organizational performance.
Professional Project (3 or 4 hours)
PRST 6998 - Professional Project
3 to 4credit hours
Capstone course for the Master of Professional Studies degree. The integrative culmination of the program of study.
PRST 6998 must be taken during the final semester of the program. Students should begin planning their projects when they enter the M.P.S. program. They should consult their advisors about appropriate topics and submit their proposals for approval prior to entering this course.
Students applying for EXL Scholar Designation should take EXL 6000 for 1 credit hour.
NOTE:
MPS students are limited to no more than 6 hours of prior learning assessment (PLA) credit and transfer credit combined.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree programs offered by University College,
faculty are drawn from disciplines throughout MTSU.
Scholarships
General
Admission
Professional Project
Online or Hybrid Programs at a Glance
This program is available fully online.
For More Information or Explore Your Options
Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.
The Online Advantage
With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person.
Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.
