Master of Professional Studies (MPS, or MProfStuds, or MProfStudies) is a recognized masters degree concentrated in an applied field of study. The MPS is usually a terminal degree and is often interdisciplinary, frequently offered in substantive areas that do not readily fit into any of the traditional fields in university curricula. MPS degrees are distinguished from Master of Arts (MA) degrees in that the latter tend to be more heavily focused on research and theory-building -- in short more academic than practical -- and often serve as a way station on route to a PhD. By contrast, MPS degree programs emphasize learning directly relevant to professional employment, and often require some amount of fieldwork or an internship to complement the classroom learning.
A growing number of universities in the United States offer the MPS including Cornell University, Tulane University, City University of New York, George Washington University, Georgetown, Hofstra, NYU, Northeastern University, St. John's University, State University of New York at New Paltz, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Hodges University, University of Maryland, Penn State, Pratt Institute, University of Denver, the University of Connecticut, and Nyack College. The University of Memphis, and many others. The MPS is also offered in Canada at the University of Waterloo. MPS degrees are also offered in Australia, Greece, Ireland, the Philippines. and New Zealand.
MPS degrees provide specialized, experiential learning in a range of professional careers including digital media, education, historic preservation, design management, human relations, homeland security leadership, humanitarian services administration, human resource management, landscape design, paralegal studies, political management, public relations, interactive telecommunications, real estate, sports management, statistical sciences, and strategic leadership.