There's a new master's degree offered here at TTU designed to hone professional leadership skills and prepare you to be more valuable to your employer.

We launched core courses for the master's of professional studies in strategic leadership degree this fall to provide an alternative for professionals who want to pursue an advanced degree.

"The strategic leadership master's degree is a terrific alternative to getting an MBA or education master's if those don't quite fit into a student's areas of interest," says Jane Sipes, our RODP campus administrator. "The new degree can be used in either a business or education setting to enhance a person's professional performance and experience."

The three core courses up and running this fall include classes covering issues and ethics in the professional environment and the impact of globalization on professional life.

"This degree prepares you to lead in today's rapidly changing professional environment," says Jon Booker, our MPS program faculty coordinator. "It gives graduates the tools to prepare and structure an organization for change, communicate effectively with organizational stakeholders and analyze and use data to make organizational decisions."

The degree is offered through Tennessee Tech's Regents' Online Degree Program and was developed to affordably and flexibly meet the needs of working adults who are not generally served by traditional methods. It allows professionals to go to school online and plan their education around work schedules, family activities and other demands.

"This is an excellent opportunity for full-time professionals who want to gain an advantage for the next promotion opportunity," says Booker. "It is designed to not only jump start your career, but give you the tools necessary to fulfill the needs of today's employers."

Admission requirements include a 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university and acceptable GRE test scores. Applicants with five or more years of professional work experience may submit a portfolio in lieu of a GRE score.

All TBR institutions, which are fully accredited, are collaborating to offer this degree. Students have the opportunity to choose a “home school” from among the six TBR universities. Individuals apply for admission, register for courses, and are awarded degrees, diplomas, or certificates from the “home school.”

The RODP provides a web site with a virtual library, online tutorials, virtual bookstore, advising and virtual career center.

For more information about the strategic leadership degree, visit www.rodp.org/mps/mps.htm or contact Jane Sipes at 931-372-6098.