Master of Professional Studies

Program Identifier: MPROFST

Overview
The Master of Professional Studies degree, M.Prof.., is the sought after degree for the professional active manager that takes a hands-on approach to solving a real world managerial problem. The purpose of the M.Prof. is to provide active managers with a flexible approach for the advanced study of a managerial problem important to their organization. Individuals pursuing this degree are interested in examining a relevant business problem from an applied and practical perspective in order to derive applicable outcomes for their organization. Given the applied nature of the program it is considered an inter-disciplinary degree that focuses on the solution of real world problems to the organization. It is often pursued with the direct support of the candidate’s company due to the intrinsic value of the program to the operations of the work-place.

The Master level degree enables the participant to examine a managerial problem in depth however it stops short of introducing newly developed knowledge by the student. This step is contained in the Doctoral level program, D.Prof. Individuals completing this degree are also immediately accepted into the Doctor of Professional Studies in the case that they wish to continue their studies and focus on generating new advanced knowledge for the problem at hand.

The degree is considered an alternative to the M.B.A., Master of Business Administration degree in so far as it focuses on an important question relevant to the participant’s organization and is not a general survey program of administration. This benefits the individual by providing them a deeper understanding and investigation of an important problem facing their company and enables them to develop practical solutions and outcomes that will directly affect the advancement of their career within their organization. Individuals entering this program have the intention of building upon their practical experience in the work-place and taking that experience to the next level. The degree is appropriate for mid-level managers who have a minimum of 5 year experience.

Recognition
The M.Prof. is an internationally recognized degree equivalent to other Master degrees and is equivalent in standing to the M.B.A. designation.

Dual Degree Award (M.Prof./M.Phil.)
This degree is also available as a dual degree with our University partner, Unversidad Azteca.

Distance Learning Structure
Thesis-only and research methodology course, over 24 month period. The Master of Professional Studies program is designed as a distance learning option. Students complete the program under the supervision of their thesis supervisor using the state of the art Moodle Learning Platform. Students are not required to be on-campus. There is no thesis defense. The thesis is submitted to the university for evaluation.

Design
The outcome of the M.Prof. is typically a manuscript that identifies an applied solution to a current problem facing the candidate’s organization. Due to the applied nature of this program the study outcome may also be other types of work including: a critical computer program, a policy report, a detailed marketing report, new business venture, etc.

For consistency across programs candidates are required to complete a research methodology course that assist them in perfecting the design of their study. Once completed the student enters the study phase of the program and works with his/her supervisor to produce the study outcome. At the Master level there is no requirement to present the study outcome to Committee.

The evaluation of the M.Prof. degree is 100% based on the quality of the final study outcome as prepared in cooperation with the candidate’s supervisor/promoter as presented to the administration. Students have a limit of 48 months within which they complete the program.

Study Outcome
Each candidate is required to produce a study outcome with the support of their supervisor/promoter. The study outcome may take different forms depending on the nature of the issue and problem at hand. For some candidates the production of a critical piece of computer software integral to the organization may be the outcome. For others a complete marketing of new business venture and strategic plan may be the outcome while for others a new detailed policy with wide ranging effect on the organization may be the outcome. At the Master level there is no requirement for the student to produce new knowledge, however a thorough examination and study of the relevant problem at hand is expected.

Areas of Study
The Doctor of Professional Studies can relate to a number of professional or functional areas of study and include those mentioned below. Other domains not listed may also be followed on discussion with the faculty in order to determine appropriate supervision of faculty members. Also, students may, upon the collaboration with the administration, design an interdisciplinary degree which can cover two or more study domains.

  • Accounting
  • Business Ethics / Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • General Management
  • Global / International Business
  • Health Administration
  • Human Resource Management
  • Industrial Relations
  • Information Technology / Digital Media
  • Innovation
  • Marketing / Sales
  • Leadership Studies
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Production Management
  • Real Estate Development / Management
  • Sustainability
  • Strategy
  • Tourism / Leisure / Hospitality

ECTS & Hours of Study
The M. Prof. program accounts for 120 credits under the ECTS scheme, European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. The ECTS are split between the Research Methodology course component and the study outcome stages. Each ECTS represents 25 hours of study. Therefore, the program accounts for 3,000 hours of study. Though the allocated allotment of study hours may vary per student, the program design is based on the following:

  • Res500: Research Methodology for Master Students (15 ECTS; 375 hours)
  • Phase 1: Analysis – Interpretation of Issue/Problem facing the Organization (30 ECTS; 750 hours)
  • Phase 2: Verification – Comparison with similar topics (35 ECTS; 750 hours)
  • Phase 3: Application – Application of the findings to the problem at hand (35 ECTS; 750 hours)
  • Phase 4: Conclusion – Synthesis of the Findings and Study Outcome (15 ECTS; 375 hours)

The learning objectives and potential outcome are specifically identified within the Research Methodology course.

Program Available To

  • Graduates from accredited undergraduate programs.
  • Graduates from accredited master programs.
  • Mid-level managers that lack an undergraduate degree but may otherwise demonstrate practical experience and critical knowledge of an industry. Min 5 years experience at a managerial level.

Program Fees
The program may be followed through the following two option:

  • Master of Professional Studies Degree = 15,000 €
  • M.Phil. Dual Degree Option = 5,000 € Additional Fee
  • For Possible Scholarship Information See Below

Supplemental Library Access Fees
The University charges a digital library access fee for each student to cover the duration of their program of study. Master students are charged a fee of 250.00 €. Doctoral students are charged a fee of 500.00 €.

Fee Payment
Fees are payable semi-annually in advance.

Fee Payment Method
Tuition Fees are payable by international wire transfer.

Scholarship For Students Originating From Developing Countries 
In order to help make available the opportunity to complete higher degrees for students originating from developing countries, as defined by the OECD, the Office of the Dean of the Faculty provides partial scholarships equivalent to 25% of the total standard program tuition. Eligible students must indicate their intention to request such tuition relief upon application to the program. Please note that as a private university UGSM-Monarch Business School is not in a position to provide full scholarships as it does not receive support from government agencies.