Academics

Syracuse University Announces New Online Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree in Policy Studies

Starting in Fall 2022, prospective students will have the opportunity to pursue a policy studies bachelor’s degree online through a partnership between the College of Professional Studies and the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, the #1 school in the nation for public affairs (U.S. News & World Report).

“The online policy studies program extends the excellence of the Maxwell school to students who otherwise cannot attend Syracuse University on-campus or full-time,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “The inter-curricular program is another wonderful expression of Maxwell’s commitment to make Syracuse University more accessible and truly a university welcoming to all.”

Policy studies students will examine the policy making process and be introduced to the historical, social, economic and political factors shaping issues at local, state, national and global levels. Students will also learn to measure the resulting impact of policies and how they affect individuals and communities. an in-depth research project involving a government agency or community organization, graduates of the program will have a rich portfolio that showcases their learning.

“Policy Studies has been a popular, signature undergraduate program in the Maxwell School for 45 years,” says Carol Faulkner, associate dean of academic affairs at the Maxwell School. “We are excited that this partnership with the College of Professional Studies will allow us to reach new audiences of students who want to make an impact in their communities.”

The B.P.S. in policy studies program will be an online, immersive experience that provides opportunities for real-world learning through a blend of asynchronous coursework, remote experiential activities and synchronous classes. Much of the coursework is designed to be completed outside of the weekly class meetings. The weekly 90-minute classes provide students with the time and space to engage in active discussions, receive immediate feedback, and make connections with fellow classmates and instructors.

The structure of a B.P.S. degree allows online part-time learners with busy schedules to focus on professional competency and practical skills. With a B.P.S. in policy studies, graduates will be highly competitive in the job market and when seeking admission to a wide variety of graduate programs.

“A B.P.S. degree is focused on professional skills and career preparation,” says Ryan O. Williams, associate dean of the College of Professional Studies. “The combination of coursework and seminars designed to enhance career readiness distinguishes a B.P.S. from other bachelor’s degrees. We are delighted to be able to offer a policy-focused degree in partnership with the Maxwell School.”

To learn more about Bachelor of Professional Studies in Policy Studies, visit https://professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/academics/online/policy-studies/.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

About the Maxwell School

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University is the nation’s top-ranked school for public affairs, having earned the #1 spot in the U.S. News ranking in every survey year except one. The school offers highly regarded professional programs in public administration and international affairs as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees across the social sciences, and signature interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in policy, civic engagement, environmental sustainability and international relations. It is home to 13 interdisciplinary research centers focused on topical areas within public affairs. With campuses in Syracuse, New York, and Washington, D.C., and academic partnerships around the globe, the Maxwell network provides access to a world of opportunity. For more information, please visit maxwell.syr.edu.

College of Professional Studies Launches First Master of Professional Studies Degree in Project Management with Tuition Discount for First Cohort

Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies announces its first graduate degree program, a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in project management, launching in Spring 2023. The 30-credit degree will be offered fully online, and an exclusive tuition discount will be applied to the initial cohort through the Start Now incentive grant.   

The Start Now incentive grant will be awarded to students admitted into the Spring 2023 cohort. They will receive a discounted rate of $1000/credit, which is 44% less than the graduate tuition rate ($1802/credit hour). The discount will be applied for the first 30 credits of study, allowing students to earn the degree for a total of $30,000.

Consistent with Syracuse University’s commitment to being the number one school for military-connected students, all active duty, guard, reserve and veterans, including spouses and dependents, admitted to the M.P.S. degree program pay $1000 per credit hour, regardless of when they start the program.

All non-military connected students admitted after Spring 2023 pay $1350 per credit hour, which is 25% less than the graduate tuition rate.

“Project management is an increasingly high-demand career choice for members of the military,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “The new online master’s program is ideally suited for active and prior military members, as these students come into the program with an ability to think strategically to solve complex challenges. The curriculum is designed to leverage that ability, so each student further develops expertise across a wide range of project management skills.”

The field of project management is vast, and individuals with advanced degrees have opportunities to work in many industries. Regardless of the industry in which they operate, effective project managers lead projects from conception through implementation, creating value and driving change. Project managers are invaluable in all types of organizations, large and small, making this degree highly relevant and sought after in today’s workforce.

“Project management is the art and science of getting stuff done using a proven set of tools, approaches and controls. Studies continue to show that project managers get tasks done more efficiently, and in today’s world, that translates into lower cost and better results,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of professional acceleration and microcredentials and program director for the Master of Professional Studies in project management. “The Project Management Institute has reported in its recent 2022 jobs report that we can anticipate growth of about 2.3 million annual job opportunities in project management through 2030. Now is the time to be a project manager.” 

The project management M.P.S. curriculum will equip students with the knowledge and skills to create project plans, manage schedules and budgets, identify and manage potential risks and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels within an organization.

The dynamic learning environment of the online project management master’s degree program combines both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Much of the coursework is designed to be completed outside of class meeting times in combination with a required weekly live session that gives students the opportunity to engage in real time discussions with classmates and instructors, ask questions and receive immediate feedback, and gain a stronger understanding of course topics.

Students who take one course every eight-week session can complete the program within 18 months.

To be eligible for the Start Now incentive grant, prospective students must apply by Monday, August 8.

To learn more about admission requirements and program details, visit professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/academics/online/project-management-m-p-s.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

Syracuse University College of Professional Studies Announces First Full-Time Faculty

Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies continues to grow as it welcomes its first faculty cohort.

Stephen Wallace, D.Prof and Mirza Tihic, Ph.D. join the College of Professional Studies full-time faculty, bringing a plethora of professional expertise to the classroom. The College of Professional Studies aims to continue establishing a diversified faculty in order to support its evolving programs and course offerings.

“These two individuals bring a broad range of academic and practical experience to the College of Professional Studies,” says Ryan O. Williams, associate dean at the College of Professional Studies. “As our faculty of in-house experts continues to grow, so does the learning experience for our students.”

Stephen Wallace | Program Director and Professor

As the former program director for the Master’s in Information Systems at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies, Dr. Stephen Wallace brings exceptional knowledge of data analytics, software engineering, information security, and IT leadership. Wallace will serve as the program director for the BPS programs in applied data and predictive analytics, knowledge management, cybersecurity administration, and computer programming.

Additionally, Wallace’s leadership expertise offers a unique perspective into the ever-changing IT industry. Wallace is the founder and president of Bizlitics, a consulting firm specializing in business analytics, predictive analytics and machine learning. Prior to that, Wallace spent 30 years in information technology leadership roles ranging from IT director to vice president and CIO at multi-national companies. Wallace provides the knowledge needed to instruct and inspire the next generation of IT specialists.

Wallace received his doctorate of professional studies in computing from Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. He holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management, and a B.S. in operations management from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management.

Mirza Tihic, Ph.D. | Assistant Teaching Professor

Dr. Mirza Tihic joins the College of Professional Studies as an assistant teaching professor with a strong entrepreneurial and education portfolio. As the post-doctoral entrepreneurship researcher at the Whitman School of Management, Tihic manages the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs, a joint effort of the Whitman School of Management, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Tihic previously served as the assistant director for the Office of Vice Chancellor for Veteran and Military Affairs. Tihic oversaw programs supporting veterans, military members, and members of military families on campus. Prior to that, Tihic served as the program manager for the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of Management where he supported the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, inclusive entrepreneurship through Start-Up NY and SBA PRIME, the Syracuse Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp, the Panasci Business Plan Competition, the South Side Entrepreneurship Connect Project, and the D’Aniello Entrepreneurial Internship Program.

Tihic has taught at the Whitman School of Management since 2010. Additionally, the Syracuse University alumnus received his doctorate in cultural foundations of education at the School of Education and his MBA in entrepreneurship and marketing at Whitman School of Management. He also holds an M.S. in neuroscience at the College of Engineering and Computer Science and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Originally from Bosnia, Tihic planted roots in Syracuse where he operated Tihic Construction LLC, a residential remodeling company since 2002, and in 2009, he co-founded Syracuse’s North Side Learning Center, a family literacy center that helps immigrants and destitute individuals in the community.

“It is an honor to have Stephen and Mirza join us at a pivotal moment. As the College of Professional Studies rapidly evolves, it is vital our faculty aligns with our academic goals,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies.

To learn more about the College of Professional Studies, visit professionalstudies.syracuse.edu.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

‘Start Now’ Grant Provides Tuition Discount for Online Undergraduate Credit Certificates

Starting today, all students admitted into a College of Professional Studies online credit certificate program who start in Fall 2022 will receive the Start Now Tuition Incentive Grant, resulting in a discounted tuition rate of $495/credit hour (a 28% reduction from the current per credit part-time rate). The grant will be available to matriculated students for up to 18 credits or upon completion of the certificate, allowing them to complete the entire program at the discounted rate.

The Start Now Tuition Incentive Grant will be applied to the following certificates:

Prior college course work is required for admission into the program. For more information about the grant or the certificate programs, contact our admissions team or visit our website.

To be eligible for the Start Now incentive, you must apply by Monday, August 8.

Digital Badges at Syracuse University: Recognizing and Authenticating Microcredential Moments in Higher Education

As higher education continues to anticipate and react to the needs of an evolving workforce, new programs and various modalities have been introduced to provide just-in-time learning opportunities that meet the needs of hard and soft skills sought by employers. Microcredentials give learners a pathway to quickly upgrade or enhance professional skillsets or interests in the form of short-form, topic-specific learning opportunities.

Female student sitting on couch with laptop smiling at camera.

Microcredentials: Filling Skill Gaps and Expanding Opportunities

Microcredentials play a unique role in helping students to upskill or reskill to be more competitive in the job market. By providing short and focused learning experiences, when and where students need it, microcredentials allow students to build a portfolio of demonstrated learning in a short amount of time, whether for professional advancement or personal interest.

The Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials within the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University was launched in 2021 to expand the University’s portfolio of alternative learning credentials, including noncredit certificates, courses and workshops. Alongside the launch of this new office is the introduction of digital badges. While official diplomas issued by accredited institutions remain the gold standard for credit-bearing certificate and degree programs, digital badges are fast becoming a similar standard for marking the successful achievement of professional microcredentials.

The first digital badges awarded by Syracuse University were to completers of the ‘Leadership and Governance During Times of Crisis’ certificate program at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, which has for decades offered distinguished, non-degree offerings in short-course formats to domestic and international audiences.

“Microcredentials expand our ability to publicly recognize and certify qualifications our alums have earned,” says Daniel Nelson, director of Short-Courses in the Maxwell School Executive Education Program. “It’s a valuable tool for the School and representative of the ways we continually expand our offerings of flexible education pathways. Microcredentials are a great tool to support immediate learning objectives as well as offering opportunities to “stack” these achievements towards enrollment in and completion of a traditional Maxwell degree.”

Digital Badges: Validating Learning Experiences

Through our digital badging platform, Syracuse University will recognize successful completion and demonstration of learning by issuing digital badges at various learning levels such as foundational, intermediate and advanced.

“When a Syracuse University College, School or special other unit awards a digital badge for an achievement, it means the achievement has been assessed and is now being recognized by that College, School or unit,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of professional acceleration and microcredentials.

Digital badges serve as more than just an icon that can be shared on social media platforms like LinkedIn. The earning criteria listed on the digital badge help external evaluators and employers determine how to value the achievement of a particular digital badge against their own competency expectations.

Each digital badge provides specific information about not only the type of digital badge awarded, who it was awarded to and the date it was earned, but also what was necessary to achieve it and the awarding organization. The result is an online validation of an authenticated learning experience.

“When clicked on, the digital badge icon takes the user to a dedicated page on the badging platform where that badge is amplified, and its unique background information can be seen and verified,” Thomas says. “The authentic validation that accompanies these digital badges allows these individual journeys to become more “readable” by the viewing public, empowering individuals to show details about what makes them truly unique.”

Powerful Packs of Learning: Personalized Learning and Stackable Badges

Individualized learning goals can be created, tracked and met due to the ability to pursue microcredentials at various levels and on different topics. Students can choose to customize their learning journey by pursuing one or multiple microcredentials that round out their skills for a specific career path or goal. Students may also take advantage of pre-designed pathways featuring courses of advancing depth, which allow for increased knowledge of a specific skillset or subject and earn more advanced digital badges.  

“The ability to assemble microcredentials into a combination that is unique for a particular individual serves to define their professional brand,” Thomas says. “A student can assemble a powerful portfolio of digital badges that tells the story of their academic journey.”

The Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials will work with all schools and colleges on the Syracuse University campus who want to issue digital badges to their students.

“We have an existing catalog of microcredential programs on campus that are currently recognized with printed certificates,” Thomas says. “We want to empower our students to not only pursue their lifelong learning goals but to also share their accomplishments with their networks. Digital badges allow us to give them that opportunity.”

In Summer 2022, a new and expanded catalog of microcredential programs will be launched alongside the integration of existing microcredentials into the badging platform.

To stay up to date on new programs and how to register, please visit the professional acceleration and microcredentials webpage.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.