Professional Studies, B.A.

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The Professional Studies program provides students an opportunity to pursue a general education degree while also acquiring valuable career proficiency. The Professional Studies program is aligned with many of the core attributes that employers seek in a candidate, drawing from many disciplines. Students complete a set of Core Skills requirements and an 18 credit Professional Focus area chosen in consultation with their advisor. The Professional Studies program offers students flexibility in designing a major that meets their interests and career goals.

Total Major Requirements 36 Credits

NOTE: Of the 36 credits required for this major, at least 9 credits must be at the 300 level or higher.

Core Skills

18 credits in core skill area courses, including at least one course in each of any four of the areas. Courses that will fulfill each area are listed below. Courses that appear under multiple headings may be counted toward only one skill area. General Education requirements will not count towards courses required for Core skills; 18 credits are required in addition to General Education requirements. (Students may seek approval from the Professional Studies Coordinator to apply for courses not included in the lists below to a given Core skill area.)

Core Skill Areas

A course to develop communication skills

BUS 213 - Business Communications Credits: 3
ENG 200 - Writing for the Professions Credits: 3
ENG 201 - Writing for the Public Credits: 3
HEA 218 - Health Behavior Change Theory Credits: 3
PSY 235 - Introduction to Counseling Credits: 3
REH 200 - Counseling and the Helping Relationship Credits: 3
REH 270 - Fundamentals of Vocational Counseling and Placement Credits: 3
SED 106 - Sign Language Credits: 3
THE 115 - Improvisation as Acting Technique Credits: 3

A course to develop technology skills

ART 112 - Digital Imaging Credits: 3
ART 223 - Robotic and Kinetic Art Credits: 3
ART 239 - Animation Credits: 3
ART 244 - Graphic Design I Credits: 3
EPP 204 - Introduction to GIS Credits: 4
or
GEO 204 - Introduction to GIS Credits: 4
EPP 304 - Environmental GIS Credits: 4
or
GEO 304 - Environmental GIS Credits: 4
Any TEC or COS course.

A course to develop creativity

ECH 256 - Creative Arts for the Young Child Credits: 3
Any ART, ARH, MUS, MUH, THE, or Creative Writing course.

A course to develop quantitative skills

BUS 203 - Introduction to Financial Accounting Credits: 3
BUS 204 - Introduction to Managerial Accounting Credits: 3
Any ECO or MAT course.

A course to develop critical reading skills

Any HTY or Literature course.

A course to develop leadership or business skills

Any BUS course.

Professional Focus

A minimum of 18 credits is chosen in consultation with your advisor. The courses for a professional focus may be drawn from the list of courses required for a particular major or minor or may be individualized with the advice and approval of the Integrative Studies Program (ISP) Council. No more than two courses can be at the 100 level. Courses used for this requirement are in addition to General Education and Core Skills requirements.

Nursing Focus

Students enrolled in UMF-UMA’s dual degree program in Nursing will meet the focus area requirements by successful completion of the nursing courses required for their UMA degree.

Other Requirements

General Education Requirements

For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of at least 120 credits and all requirements for this specific program, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000.

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 120

Learning Goals

Students will be able to integrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are to be found in related, complementary academic subjects chosen by the student and as delineated in a clearly defined conceptual framework.