Professional Studies

Phone: 843.953.7992
Michelle Futrell, Executive Director, Continuing Education

About the Program

The Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) is a degree completion program. This program is designed to meet the needs of working adults from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, by offering classes in convenient formats, including hybrid and online classes.

Advanced Manufacturing Concentration

The concentration in Advanced Manufacturing focuses on fundamental computer programming and engineering project design skills specifically suited for manufacturing settings. In addition, innovative concepts and application-based experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and augmented/virtual reality tools–tailored for use in the manufacturing sector. Students will gain a working knowledge of supply chain and logistics, and managing projects, risk and quality.

Applied Communication Concentration

The concentration in Applied Communication emphasizes communication techniques that can be applied in a wide variety of work, personal, and social situations. Communication is about how people use messages to generate meanings across various contexts in an ethical, clear, concise, and comprehensive way and often involves persuading and motivating an audience to take action. Communication can also be used to elicit crucial hidden information, a useful skill in job interviewing or law enforcement. Businesses use communication of information as part of an overall business strategy. On a smaller scale, communication occurs in small groups and is affected by power relationships between various individuals. In these situations, it is important to observe and properly interpret non-verbal cues in order to minimize miscommunication and conflict.

Construction Management Concentration

The Construction Management concentration provides students with the professional competencies required to provide applied operational and tactical level support for construction projects. Curriculum focuses on key project management knowledge and skills to effectively manage construction projects and job sites.

Healthcare and Medical Services Management Concentration

Students in this concentration will gain an understanding of healthcare industry structure, healthcare finance, operations management, the laws and regulations that govern healthcare operations, and leadership. The program is designed to ensure students acquire the top skills and competencies required of healthcare managers, including quality management, customer service and patient satisfaction, people management, and budgeting. This program advances your ability to succeed in this complex, rapidly evolving industry.

Healthcare and Medical Services Management Minor

Students who have an interest in understanding the structure, finances, regulations, and operations associated with the administration of a quality healthcare organization may pursue this minor to complement another major area of study. This program is designed to ensure students gain knowledge in the skills needed by effective healthcare managers including leadership, customer service, quality assurance, and patient satisfaction.

Hospitality Operations Management

With close to seven million guests, Charleston is consistently rated one of the premier destinations within the United States. Students studying Hospitality Operations Management will be prepared for mid-level operational roles within the hospitality and tourism industry. Classes in this concentration focus on helping students become proficient in customer-service, management, sales and competitive analytics.

Organizational Management and Development Concentration

The concentration in Organizational Management and Development is designed for leaders, managers and organizational support specialists in the public, private and non-profit sectors. The ability to develop organizational strategy, secure and lead human resources, and support the ongoing development of an organization are core competencies for organizational professionals.

Project Management Concentration

Project Management is the application of processes, methods, skills and knowledge to plan, budget, control, monitor and conclude the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet agreed upon criteria for success.

Project Management Minor

The Project Management minor presents an understanding of the tools and processes used to manage projects so that projects are completely on-time, on-budget and to the appropriate specifications. The minor in project management prepares students to efficiently and effectively direct projects in a variety of industries. Students may pursue this minor to complement another major area of study.

Quality and Risk Management Concentration

The quality and risk management concentration provides students with the operational, tactical and strategic professional competencies that support the risk and quality management process within multiple sectors. Coursework focuses on organizational and process management with an emphasis on project management competencies to analyze and mitigate risk.

Advanced Manufacturing Certificate

The Advanced Manufacturing Certificate focuses on improving processes with technology by focusing on project management, risk assessment, and quality control. The certificate provides an industry-relevant credential with skills in computer programming and engineering project design for the manufacturing setting. This 19-credit hour certificate can be completed as a stand-alone credential or coupled with a traditional bachelor’s degree to intentionally use electives to enhance marketability.

Project Management Certificate

The Project Management Certificate presents an understanding of the tools and processes used to manage projects so that projects are completely on-time, on-budget and to the appropriate specifications. The certificate in project management prepares students to efficiently and effectively direct projects in a variety of industries. This 18-credit hour certificate can be completed as a stand-alone credential or coupled with a traditional bachelor’s degree to intentionally use electives to enhance marketability.

Sustainability and 21st Century Business Solutions Certificate

This interdisciplinary certificate teaches students how to design economic and business-based solutions to modern challenges. The 15-credit hour program strengthens skills in project management, problem-solving and systems-thinking - and helps students anticipate and address emerging economic, social and environmental trends that will impact business practices.