Applied Professional Studies (GRAD)
The master of applied professional studies (M.A.P.S.) is an interdisciplinary graduate program in The Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. M.A.P.S. serves students who need a graduate degree tailored to meet their unique career goals. At the core of the M.A.P.S. program is a series of courses in leadership and business fundamentals designed to provide students with essential professional skills.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet Graduate School admissions requirements, which include the minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree completed before graduate study begins or its international equivalent with an accredited institution, and an average grade of B (cumulative GPA 3.0) or better. The GRE is not required. Additional details can be found on the M.A.P.S. admissions page.
Courses
Numbered 700-999:
Applied Professional Studies, Master's Program (M.A.P.S.)
The master of applied professional studies (M.A.P.S.) is an interdisciplinary graduate program that provides students pursuing career advancement, workforce expertise, professional development, or career changes with a solid foundation and the resources needed to create a comprehensive degree that is individualized to meet unique career goals.
The program of study includes 30 credits of academic coursework, including an introductory course in professional studies, applied professional skills curriculum, elective courses from two or more programs and tailored based on academic and professional interests, and a capstone experience. Students may choose to enroll full-time or part-time and will have five years to complete the degree, using a combination of in-person and online courses.
The curriculum, designed by the student and the master’s program director, is intended for students who wish to focus on professional development and skill attainment tied to industry needs through specific learning tracks. At the core of the M.A.P.S. program is a series of courses in leadership and business fundamentals designed to provide students with essential professional skills. All students are required to complete an introductory course in professional studies (GRAD 757) and a capstone experience (GRAD 992). Students are also required to complete nine hours in Graduate Studies courses and 15 hours of electives in two or three programs, with a maximum of 9 credits from one program. Further information on the M.A.P.S. curriculum may be found online.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GRAD 757 | MAPS Introduction | 3 |
| Complete 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| Leadership in the Workplace | ||
| Project Management: Frameworks, Principles and Techniques | ||
| Introduction to Financial Accounting | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship and The Entrepreneurial Mindset | ||
| Build Your Professional Brand | ||
| Executive Perspective: Business Fundamentals | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Consulting Fundamentals For Adv. Professional Degree Graduate Students | ||
| Fundamentals of Technology Commercialization | ||
| Research to Revenue - University Startups | ||
| Managing People and Professional Relationships | ||
| AI in the Workplace | ||
| Electives 1 | 15 | |
Graduate level courses: all courses must be 400+, at least half of all courses need to be 700+ | ||
Course electives must be approved prior to course enrollment by the Director or Assistant Director of MAPS | ||
Courses must be selected from at least two different programs | ||
There is a maximum of 9 hours from one department | ||
| Thesis/Substitute or Dissertation | ||
| GRAD 992 | Master's (Non-Thesis) | 3 |
| Minimum Hours | 30 | |
- 1
MAPS students cannot take courses from any online graduate programs.
TBD Specialization: 15 Hours
Milestones
The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information.
- Master's Committee
- Master's Oral Exam / Approved Substitute
- Thesis Substitute
- Residence Credit
- Exit Survey
- Master's Prospectus Meeting
Department of Applied Professional Studies
