College of Professional Studies

Dean: Tanya Smith Brice

The College of Professional Studies, formerly a part of the College of Education and Professional Studies, was established on July 1, 2001. The School is composed of four departments: Behavioral Sciences and Human Services, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work. It fosters exemplary teaching, scholarship and research, and service to the community through its professional academic programs. The College of Professional Studies embraces the University’s core values-excellence, civility, integrity, diversity, and accountability-as well as service, social justice, and trust.

Mission

The mission of the College of Professional Studies is to “transform students into dynamic servant leaders who are change agents through a nurturing environment that cultivates socially conscious, innovative, and life-long learners”.

The academic programs empower students to become leaders by providing the foundations of essential theory and practice that prepare them for beginning roles in various service-oriented professions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration students learn to value diversity, think critically, and integrate technology into their preparation for study at the graduate level and for life long work.

Vision

The College of Professional Studies “prepares change agents, through academic excellence, innovation and success, to be the answer to the global community”.

Goals

1. Deliver competitive professional academic programs that ensure the integration of theory, practice, and technology to meet the needs of a diverse and rapidly growing global society.
2. Support student academic achievements to shorten time-to-degree.
3. Increase school and university resources through external funding sources and partnerships.
4. Initiate and sustain collaborative efforts to support faculty scholarship and research.