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APPLIED COMPUTING

 

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Computing Technologies is the second MPS degree approved by Tulane University. The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a recognized graduate degree program concentrating in applied fields of study. The MPS degree is often a terminal degree and is usually either interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary. The fields of concentration are in areas not readily aligned with traditional disciplines of university graduate study. The more traditional Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees primarily concentrate on research, methodology, and theory, serving as a benchmark toward the PhD. The Master of Professional Studies, by definition and application, emphasizes learning relevant to professional employment. In short, it focuses primarily on practical, applied disciplines requiring fieldwork or internships as complements to the curriculum. MPS programs provide specialized, experiential learning in a range of professional careers, including historic preservation, public relations, human resource management, homeland security, and computing technologies. Several leading universities in the United States offer the MPS. Among them are Cornell University, City University of New York, Georgetown University, New York University, and the University of Denver.

MPS IN COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES

In today's complex business environment, computing technologies play a key role in enabling, controlling and improving business processes. Information is a vital corporate asset. The successful management of the technology that controls this asset is crucial to enable it to be a source of competitive advantage for an organization. Businesses need effective leaders who can bring people and technology together to create this competitive advantage. These leaders must be able to articulate a vision and develop a strategy for the application of technology, and be able to provide direction and guidance in the design, development and implementation of the architectures, processes and systems needed to manage the technologies.

The MPS program is designed for information technology and business professionals who want to combine their managerial skills and technical acumen to advance into a leadership role in the application of computing technologies. The program does this through a rigorous set of courses the will prepare the student to integrate people, technology and business processes within and across organizational boundaries. The program provides the conceptual foundation of leadership skills combined with current technology concepts needed for graduates to be effective leaders in the application of technology to business and organizational needs. The program emphasizes systems and processes and allows students to experience how these technologies connect activities and processes to help solve the challenges faced by information technology leaders of today.

Goals of the MPS-CT Program:

The goal of the MPS program in Computing Technologies is to produce students who are prepared to provide leadership in the management and application of computing technologies. Graduates will have the following skills, knowledge and values:

  • A core set of technology and management knowledge
  • Broad business and real world perspective
  • Communication, interpersonal, and team skills
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • The ability to integrate technology, business processes and people to leverage the use of computing technologies to solve critical needs of a business or organization

ADMISSION

  • Students applying to the MPS program must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Students must submit an application (see below) including a brief statement of 250-500 words describing how graduate education at Tulane University can assist with the achievement of their objectives. They should include in this statement a brief discussion of their background with computing technologies beyond academic coursework.
  • Students must submit official college transcripts from each college attended.
  • Ordinarily, a successful applicant has at least a "B" (3.00) average in all coursework taken.
  • Completed applications are reviewed by the MPS-CT Director and Admissions Committee throughout the year. The MPS application may be submitted to the School of Continuing Studies after the applicant has consulted with Dr. Jim Simmons about the program.

Conditional Admission

Students who do not meet the 3.0 grade point average in their undergraduate course work but who possess sufficient professional experience in the computing field may be admitted provisionally into the program. This conditional admission will allow them to take one class in their first semester. Successful completion of this course with a grade of B or better will allow them full admission to the degree program.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Continuing Studies awards the MPS degree following the successful completion of ten graduate courses, comprised of seven core courses and three elective courses. No thesis is required. Students may not apply more than two independent study courses toward fulfilling graduation requirements for the MPS. In order to earn the Master of Professional Studies degree, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. Students must also submit an application for degree, available from the School of Continuing Studies Dean's office, at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to complete all required coursework.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS

Students admitted to the MPS program must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.00 or better to be considered in good academic standing. Students whose grade point average falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation and limited to a maximum of six credit hours in the subsequent semester. Students will be removed from academic probation when they earn an overall grade point average of at least 3.00.

Students may apply one "B-" toward degree requirements; however, students who earn a second "B-" will be dismissed from the program. Students who receive a grade of  "C+" in any coursework attempted will be dismissed from the program.

TRANSFER CREDITS

A student may petition to transfer a maximum of nine credit hours (three courses) of graduate coursework from other colleges or universities into the MPS degree. However, only courses with grades of "B" or above, completed within five years of enrolling in the MPS program, may be considered for transfer credit. The Director of Academic Computing Programs will review all transfer credit requests prior to enrollment in the program.

GRADUATE FACULTY

The Graduate Faculty of the School of Continuing Studies consists of the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, the Directors of the MPS programs, and other faculty members who have experience teaching MPS students.

TUITION

Tuition for the 2014-2015 academic year is $1,578 for a three-credit course. For the 2015-2016 academic year, tuition is $1,656 for a three-credit course.

MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES IN COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES


The proposed MPS degree program is a 30 credit program consisting of seven core graduate courses and 3 elective courses. The Core courses cover a range of both technology issues and business and leadership issues.  In addition, the student selects three additional elective courses covering various aspects of computing technologies.

Core Requirements   

Technology Courses     

  • CPST-7200 Enterprise Architecture - Software   
  • CPST-7600 Enterprise Architecture - Hardware     
  • CPST-7800 Legal Issues in Information Technology   
  • CPST-7900 Computer Security   

Business and Leadership Courses    

  • CPST-7000 IT Governance and Policy   
  • CPST-7100 Managing the IT Department   
  • CPST-7150 The Business of Information Technology   

MPS Electives - select three courses:

  • CPST-6320 Business Intelligence*
  • CPST-6500 Systems Requirements Development and Testing*
  • CPST-6501 IT Project Management*
  • CPST-7250 Software Development Methodologies
  • CPST-7850 Healthcare Informatics
  • HMLS-7800 Cyber Threats and Homeland Security**   


* CPST-4320/6320, CPST-4500/6500 and CPST-3500/6501 are dual Upper Level Undergraduate/Graduate courses
** HMLS-7800 is a Graduate Level Course in the MPS program for Homeland Security

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