The College of Professional & Graduate Studies provides students, faculty and the community with challenging academic and real world experiences in the context of local, national and global perspectives through traditional classroom setting, clinical/laboratory experiences and distance learning. Through a program of rigorous teaching, research, and community outreach/service, the College prepares students for professional careers and advanced study in the areas of Criminal Justice, Mass Communication, Nursing and Social Work. Graduates of the College of Professional Studies are competitive in their chosen careers, in addition to being socially conscious and productive members of the society.
The College offers continuing education courses on a limited basis. Such courses are offered when requested, provided the request addresses a documented need and the courses are self-supporting.
The College is comprised of four major professional programs offering four baccalaureate and four graduate programs, as detailed below:
The School of Graduate Studies and Research is an academic unit responsible to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. The unit operates under the direction of a Dean and coordinates the University’s graduate programs. The policy-making and regulatory body for graduate programs is the Graduate Council. Representatives from the graduate faculty, University administration, and the graduate-student population comprise the membership of the Graduate Council, with the Dean serving as chairperson.
The School of Nursing, accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., offers the MSN degree. Master of Science in Nursing students have the choice to pursue either the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, or the Nurse Educator Program.
The School of Social Work, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), offers BSW and MSW degrees. The school offers an intensive preparation for professional positions in a variety of social work settings.
*Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation Compliance
The Department of Mass Communication offers BA and MA degrees in mass communication. The BA program prepares students for a variety of career options in the broad field of mass communication and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). The MA program offers thesis and non-thesis options.
The Department of Criminal Justice, one of the largest programs in terms of the number of majors on the campus, offer BS and MS degrees in Criminal Justice. The BS in Criminal Justice offers an area of concentration in Paralegal Studies. The department prepares students for professional careers and advanced study in criminal justice and legal studies.
| Department | Program | Degree Level | CIP | LA Code |
| Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies | Criminal Justice | Bachelor | 43.0104 | 4101 |
| Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies | Criminal Justice | Master | 43.0104 | 6015 |
| Nursing | Family Nurse Practitioner | P.M.C. | 51.3805 | 6077 |
| Mass Communication | Mass Communication | Bachelor | 09.0102 | 3001 |
| Mass Communication | Mass Communication | Master | 09.0102 | 6049 |
| School of Nursing | Nursing | Bachelor | 51.3801 | 3712 |
| School of Nursing | Nursing | Master (M.S.N.) | 51.3801 | 6102 |
| School of Social Work | Social Work | Bachelor (B.S.W.) | 44.0701 | 5001 |
| School of Social Work | Social Work | Master (M.S.W.) | 44.0701 | 60451 |