Professional Studies Certificate
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
https://www.towson.edu/cla/departments/interdisciplinary/grad/professional-studies-certificate/
Program Director: Dr. Karen Eskow
Phone: 410-704-2128
Email: keskow@towson.edu
The PBC in Professional Studies includes 15 units - a subset of courses within the master’s degree in Professional Studies. This program will provide students with flexible options to extend their education at TU beyond the bachelor’s degree. Consistent with TU’s mission and goals this program will provide the following learning opportunities:
- Graduate coursework that fosters intellectual inquiry and critical thinking that contribute to career responsive coursework in areas that reflect qualities that employers value including written and oral communication, leadership, community engagement and critical thinking.
- The structure of the program combines courses from a variety of disciplines/colleges thus consistent with the mission that includes the atmosphere of collaborative, interdisciplinary and inter-professional learning experiences. The flexibility of this program guarantees that students will be in courses with peers from a variety of disciplines learning from professors with various disciplinary expertise.
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Professional Studies is a highly flexible certificate that can be completed in one academic year. It is available to students who want to enhance their knowledge and better compete for career opportunities in a chosen field.
Admission Requirements
Applications for admission are accepted, and admission decisions are made, on a rolling basis.
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university*
- GPA of 3.00, or 2.75 for conditional admission (last 60 undergraduate units)
- A current resume
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An essay of 500-750 words addressing the following:
- Your academic and/or professional goals, identifying options for a potential course of study that you intend to pursue in the Professional Studies program.
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How the proposed course of study would build on your prior education, work, or other experiences.
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How this flexible, individualized program is a good fit to help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
Applicants must submit the online application, plus the required materials.
Non-immigrant International Students
Admission Procedures: See additional information regarding International Graduate Admissions and Graduate Admission policies
Program Enrollment: F-1 and J-1 students are required to be enrolled full-time. The majority of their classes must be in-person and on campus. See the list of programs that satisfy these requirements, and contact the International Student and Scholars Office with questions.
**See Exceptions to Policy in Graduate Admissions.
Degree Requirements
Coursework requirements include LBPS 601, a required writing course, and three electives chosen to expand skills in a competency area. Examples of competency areas are:
- Non-profit leadership
- Research related skills
- Applied Statistics
- Research Methods
- Advanced writing
- Policy
- Health
- Mental Health
- Human Resource Skills
- Website development
- A field of study that requires prerequisite coursework such as mental health, AIT, or Business
Electives will be chosen in coordination with the student's advisor or the graduate program director.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| LBPS 601 | APPROACHES TO GRADUATE RESEARCH | 3 |
| PRWR 6XX | Professional Writing Elective | 3 |
| Electives | Coursework chosen from competency area | 9 |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Students who wish to continue on and complete a master's degree can do so through the MA in Professional Studies. In addition courses completed through the PBC may be applied to another graduate program upon acceptance into that program and approval of the Graduate Program Director.