The School of Professional Studies Offers a Variety of Career-Oriented Associates And

School of Professional Studies
Dr. Jeff Butterfield, Director
Tate Page Hall, 2nd Floor
Phone: (270) 745-8973
Email:
Website:
/ Professors: M. Price,J. Shadoan
Associate Professors:J. Baker, C. Cobane, G. Kontos, R. Mitchell, M. Staynings
Assistant Professors: J. Brinkley, S. Ghezal, K. Guffey
Instructors: C. Basham, J. Fulkerson,S. McCaslin

The School of Professional Studies offers a variety of career-oriented associates and baccalaureate degree programs and flexible interdisciplinary baccalaureate and associate degrees. It consists of academic programs in organizational leadership, business studies, paralegal studies, real estate, and interdisciplinary studies. The School of Professional Studies is also home to University Experience, WKU’s non-discipline specific first-year experience course. The school is heavily engaged in educational outreach and offers programs at the three WKU regional campus sites and in on-line, hybrid, and face-to-face formats. Additionally, the school places a strong emphasis on partnerships between WKU and community colleges (KCTCS and other two-year institutions). The academic programs within the school share a common emphasis on the delivery of transfer-, military-, and adult-friendly academic programs.

Major in Interdisciplinary Studies
Reference Number: 558
Minimum Hours for Major: 36 / Minimum Hours for Degree: 120
Degree: Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Sample Degree Path:

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree provides an academic alternative to a traditional major program. The integration of studies within an overarching emphasis (complementary courses from different disciplines or academicprograms) allows considerable latitude and flexibility to satisfy individual interests and needs. The student must complete an emphasis of at least 36 semester hours. of coursework approved by a BIS degree advisor. These hours will include a capstone course (student may choose from IDST 495 or IDST 499).Students wishing to earn a minor as a secondary area of study must meet thepublished requirements for thatminor. Courses in theminor maynot duplicate thoseused to satisfythe emphasis in the BIS.

The 12 broad areas of emphasisand sample degree paths for the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program follow:

Arts
Business
Education
Health
Humanities
Military Studies

Organization and Communication of Ideas
Science
Social and Behavioral Science

Social Justice and Equity Studies
Sustainability
Technology

Students also have the option of requesting a broad area of emphasis not listed above. The written request, based on specific individual objectives, must be made by the student and approved by a BIS advisor, the Director, and the Dean of University College.

Minimum Academic Requirements for the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Grade point average of at least 2.0 in the following three areas: Area of Emphasis Hours, WKU Hours, and Overall Cumulative Hours

36 hours in the Area of Emphasis
42 hours of upper-level credits, including 12 upper-level hours in the Area of Emphasis
No more than 24 semester hours in a single academic discipline, no more than 24 semester hours from the School of Journalism & Broadcasting, no more than 30 semester hours in courses administered by the Gordon Ford College of Business, no more than 12 upper-level semester hours from the Gordon Ford College of Business.
IDST 395 (Investigative Methods) and IDST 495 (Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone) are programmatic requirements, not counted within the area of emphasis.

Major in Organizational Leadership
Reference Number: 545
Minimum Hours for Major: 48 / Minimum Hours for Degree: 120
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Sample Degree Path:

The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership provides an academic foundation for the professional and career-focused study of leadership principles and skills. It is specifically designed to advance the professional objectives of students who desire to complete a baccalaureate degree for career advancement and expanded job opportunities.The combination of leadership, management, and global and social-cultural perspectives provides graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective leadership at various levels and in a variety of occupational settings.

This degree program requires a minimum of 48 semester hours: 24 hours in the leadership core plus 24 hours in identified electives. Students must meet all University requirements for admission, continuance in the program, and graduation. Students admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership must have previously earned an associate’s degree from a regionally-accredited program or have attained junior status.

Students must complete the following courses for the organizational leadership major: LEAD 200 or LEAD 300, LEAD 325, LEAD 330, LEAD 395, LEAD 400, LEAD 440, LEAD 450,and LEAD 495.and MGT 210 or BUS 210C. The remaining 24 hours may be chosen from: AMS 430, HCA 340, PS 110, PS 311, PS 338, PS 440, PSY 350, PSY 355, PSY 370, SOCL 360, SOCL 362, SOCL 375, GEOG 280, GEOG 380, GEOG 444, GEOG 474, GEOG 487, GISC 316, GISC 317, GISC 417, GISC 419, CIS 320, CIS 321, COMM 240, COMM 263, ENG 306, HCA 342, HCA 344, LEAD 400, HCA 346, HCA 442, REC 220, REC 460, MGT 200, MGT 311, MGT 314, MGT 417, MGT 419, IDST 395, PLS 200, BUS 257, BA 110, MKT 220 or BUS 212, ACCT 200 or ACCT 201. ACCT 200 or ACC 200C or ACCT 201 or ACC 201C, AMS 390; AMS 430; BA 110; BCOM 201; BE 350; BUS 210C, BUS 212C, BUS 257C; COMM 240, COMM 263, COMM 463, COMM 330; ECON 206; ENG 306; ENT 308, ENT 312, ENT 425, ENT 463; FIN 330; HCA 340, HCA 342, HCA 344, HCA 436, HCA 442; IDST 395; MGT 200, MGT 210, MGT 301, MGT 303, MGT 305, MGT 311, MGT 313, MGT 314, MGT 316, MGT 326, MGT 333, MGT 361, MGT 383, MGT 400, MGT 411, MGT 413, MGT 417, MGT 419; MKT 220, MKT 321, MKT 322, MKT 323, MKT 324, MKT 325, MKT 331, MKT 420, MKT 421, MKT 422, MKT 423, MKT 424, MKT 425, MKT 491; PLS 200; PS 311, PS 338, PS 355, PS 440, PS 493; PSY 350, PSY 355, PSY 371; PSYS 350, PSYS 370; REC 302, REC 460; SOCL 360, SOCL 375, SPS 300. Waiting on Senate Approval

The following restrictions apply to this major: no more than 24 semester hours from the School of Journalism and Broadcasting; no more than 30 hours in courses administered by the Gordon Ford College of Business; no more than 12 upper-level semester hours from the Gordon Ford College of Business.

Students who transfer to WKU with an applied associate degree (e.g., Associate of Applied Science) receive a 12-hour waiver from the overall upper-level course requirement.

Major in Paralegal Studies / Email:
Website:
Reference Number: 5002
Minimum Hours for Major: 60 / Minimum Hours for Degree: 120
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Sample Degree Path:

Paralegals, also called Legal Assistants, work with lawyers in a wide range of professional settings and perform tasks that include legal research, legal writing and document preparation, information gathering, litigation support, legal technology support, and office management.

Paralegals shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of law as proscribed by Kentucky law and the Supreme Court Rules (SCR 3.130 [5.5]) and must be appropriately supervised by a lawyer to ensure the paralegal’s conduct is compatible with the professional and ethical standards of the practice (SCR 3.130 [5.3]).

The objectives of the Paralegal Studies Program are: (1) to create, implement, and maintain a strong, flexible program directed to the quality education of occupationally-competent paralegals; (2) to provide a paralegal education program that leads to employment of its graduates by a wide range of employers; (3) to provide paralegals with a well-rounded, balanced education founded on a beneficial mix of general education, theory, and practical courses stressing understanding and reasoning rather than rote learning of facts; (4) to support federal, Kentucky and local Rules of Procedure and general principles of ethical legal practice, professional responsibility, the prohibitions against the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers, and the use and supervision of paralegals by lawyers; (5) to provide an educational program that is responsive to the varied needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the region and contributes to the overall advancement of the legal profession; (6) to provide a program which instills respect for the legal profession and its foundations, institutions, and quest for justice; and, (7) to maintain equality of opportunity in the educational program without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, natural origin, gender, age, disability or economic need.

Credits from other accredited institutions of higher education may be transferred and applied toward the degree. An official transcript from each such college or university attended is required as a part of the admission process. Postsecondary credit will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis for acceptance and applicability to the Program.

General law and legal-specialty course credits will be accepted only from paralegal programs approved by the American Bar Association or programs in substantial compliance with the ABA guidelines.

The Paralegal Major (PLS) is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary educational experience integrating knowledge and skills from multiple subjects including law, history, sociology, political science, technology and business. The PLS degree requires 120 credit hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Degrees will be awarded to those students who complete all requirements with an overall grade point average of 2.0 (out of 4.0) and receive a grade of “C” or better in all PLS courses.

The following 33 hours of legal specialty / political science core are required: PLS 190, PLS 194,PLS 200,PLS 250, PLS 283, PLS 291, PLS 296, PLS 393, PLS 450, PLS 499, and PS 326.

Students must take 15 hours of electives from the following PLS courses: PLS 280, PLS 282, or PLS 294; PLS 350, PLS 360, PLS 381, PLS 392, PLS 395. (12 hours must be at the upper-level)

In addition, students must take 12 hours from the following list of electives available to political science majors: BUS 210C or BUS 254C, SOCL 330, SOCL 332,SOCL 380, PS 304, PS 311, PS 316, PS 412, HIST 445, HIST 446, or other courses approved by the PLS advisors. (9 hours must be at the upper-level)

The Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies in approved by the American Bar Association.

Major in Systems Management / Advisor: Ray Blankenship
Phone: 270-745-5952
Email:
Website:
Reference Number: 729P (seeking admission)
729 (officially admitted)
Minimum Hours for Major: 48 / Minimum Hours for Degree:120
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Sample Degree Path:

Systems Management (SM) is an interdisciplinary major offered through the University College. Systems Management applies a professional perspective to the management of people, information, processes, and systems within the organization. The SM major offers an interdisciplinary approach to the design, application, use, and management of information and organizational systems. Courses in the SM program emphasize the human, technological, and organizational perspective. Students also take elective courses from various allied disciplines to complement their professional education. In a knowledge-oriented economy, organizations succeed on the basis of their innovation and management of information. The SM major is designed to help students prepare for a rewarding career in this dynamic field.

The SM degree requires 120 credit hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor or second major is required. All SM courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Enrollment in the SM program is limited and based on student qualifications.

All students complete the eight-course (24-hour) core curriculum consisting of SM 300, SM 346, SM 347, SM 348, SM 443,SM 444,SM 446, and SM 447. Each student also completes at least one five-course (15-hour) concentration. Students must also complete 9 hours of relevant electives to be selected in consultation with the advisor. Students must earn a “C” or better in all SM courses.

Transfer students who have completed relevant coursework should petition the department with information about courses taken and what substitutions are being sought. Petitions will be reviewed by a facility committee and recommendations approved by the director and dean of the college in a manner consistent with WKU guidelines.

Students who transfer to WKU with an applied associate degree (e.g., Associate of Applied Science) receive a 12-hour waiver from the overall upper-level course requirement.

Core Requirement completed by all majors: 24 hours—SM 300, SM 346, SM 347, SM 348, SM 443, SM 444, SM 446, and SM 447.

Program Electives: 24 hours
Electives include 9 hours of relevant electives completed in consultation with advisor, and a 15-hour concentration from one of the following areas:

Administrative Systems: COMM 346, COMM 349, COMM 362, COMM 460, ENG 306, JOUR 341, JOUR 344, BE 350, BE 362, PSYS 370, PSY 371; additionally, any course that may be used to satisfy the minor in business administration (see GFCOB minor). Note: no more than 12 hours of upper-division electives may be taken from the College of Business course offerings.

Agricultural Systems: AGRI 108,AGRI 280,AGRI 291,AGRI 494, AGRO 110, ANSC 140, AGMC 170, AGMC 171, AGEC 360

Criminology Systems: CRIM 232, CRIM 330, CRIM 332, PS 328, and three hours of advisor approved upper division electives

Digital Media Technologies: CIS 320, BCOM 264, BCOM 366, BCOM 367, BCOM 480

Fire / Rescue Administration: (The following courses are offered through KCTCS.) FRS 104, FRS 105,FRS 201, FRS 1027, FRS 1047,FRS 2016,FRS 2026, FRS 2051, FRS 2071

Geographic Information Systems: GISC 316, GISC 317, GISC 417, GISC 419, GISC 443,GISC 477

Government Systems: PS 110, PS 338, PS 355, PS 412, PS 440, ECON 420

Healthcare Informatics: HCA 340, HCA 342, HCA 343, HCA 344, HCA 346, HCA 347, HCA 442,HCA 445,HCA 446

Human Resource Development: AMS 310, COMM 460, PR 355, MGT 311, MGT 400, MGT 411, MGT 414,MGT 416,MGT 473, PSY 410, SOCL 312. Note: No more than 12 hours of upper-division electives may be taken from the College of Business course offerings.

Industrial / Manufacturing Systems: AMS 310, AMS 342,AMS 356,AMS 371,AMS 392,AMS 394,AMS 396,AMS 430

Information Systems: CIT310,CIT 330 (or CIS 226), CIT 350, CIT 370, CIS 243, CIS 320, CIS 321

Law Enforcement Administration: (The following courses are offered through KCTCS.) CJ 201, CJ 204, CJ 210,CJ 215,CJ 216,CJ 217, CJ 222

Leadership: LEAD 200, LEAD 325, LEAD 330, LEAD 395, LEAD 400

Military Systems (Civilian Career Option): MIL 301, MIL 302, MIL 401, LEAD 200, LEAD 475, (ROTC students may take MIL 402)

Occupational Safety and Health: ENV 120, ENV 221, ENV 321, ENV 322,ENV 367, ENV 375,ENV 380,ENV 410, ENV 423,ENV 460,ENV 474,ENV 480, PH 385

Technical Sales: MKT 325, MKT 328, MKT 424, MKT 425, PSY 371, JOUR 341

Technical Training: MGT 473, COMM 345, COMM 346,COMM 349, PSY 410

Technical Writing: ENG 301,ENG 306, ENG 307, ENG 401, ENG 415

Minor in Organizational Leadership
Reference Number:431
Minimum Hours for Minor: 21

The minor in Leadership Studies requires 21 semester hours and is applicable to any undergraduate student desiring a minor. Students must earn a grade of “C” or above in the following courses required for this minor: LEAD 200, LEAD 325, LEAD 330, LEAD 395, LEAD 400, and two electives chosen in consultation with the Leadership Studies advisor. Students earning a minor in Leadership Studies are ineligible for the certificate in Leadership Studies.

Associate Degree in Business (A.A.)
Reference Number: 288
/ Minimum Hours for Degree: 60
Degree: Associate of Arts

The associate degree in business is a two-year program that quickly prepares students for employment in a variety of professional settings. Graduates may also complete a baccalaureate degree in several related areas.

The Business degree program requires a minimum of 60 hours including 15 hours of Colonnade Requirements, a business core of 24 credit hours, and concentration in onespecialization from the following: Business Management, Business Management Preparation, Management Information Systems, Leadership, Office Management and Supervision, or Real Estate. Please check with your academic advisor for specific requirements.

The 24 credit-hour core required of all Business students includes: ACC 200C, ACC 201C, CSCI 145C, BUS 100C, FINC 161C, BUS 210C, BUS 212C, and BUS 253C. The 15hours of Colonnade (general education) are: ENGL 100C, COMM145 (students are encouraged to take the business and professional sections of this course), an Arts and Humanities Foundations or Explorations course, a Social and Behavioral Science Foundations or Explorations course, and MA 116C ORMA 109C.

Business Management Concentration of the Business Degree
The Business Management Concentration of the Business Degree requires the following courses in addition to the core courses and Colonnade courses required of all Business students: BUS 102C, BUS 214C, BUS 245C, BUS 248C, BUS 250C, BUS 257C, and BUS 270C.

Business Management Preparation Concentration of the Business Degree
The Business Management Preparation Concentration of the Business Degree requires the following courses in addition to the core courses and Colonnade courses required of all Business students: BUS 214C, BUS 257C, MGMT 200C, ECO 206C, and nine hours of advisor approved 300-level courses (MGT, MKT, FIN, ECON, or ENT).

Leadership Concentration of the Business Degree
The Leadership Concentration of the Business Degree requires the following courses in addition to the core courses and Colonnade courses required of all Business students: 21 hours consisting of BUS 214C, BUS 245C, BUS 248C, BUS 257C, LEAD 200, and six hours of 300-level or above Leadership courses.

Management Information Systems Concentration of the Business Degree
The Management Information Systems Concentration of the Business Degree requires the following courses in addition to the core courses and Colonnade courses required of all Business students: INS 181C, INS 182C, INS 270C, INS 272C, INS 275C, and two advisor-approved INS electives. (Internship strongly recommended.)

Office Management and Supervision Concentration of the Business Degree
The Office Management and Supervision Concentration of the Business Degree requires the following courses in addition to the core courses and Colonnade courses required of all Business students: BUS 102C, BUS 214C, BUS 225C, BUS 245C, BUS 248C, BUS 254C, and BUS 257C.

Real Estate Concentration of the Business Degree
The Real Estate Concentration of the Business Degree requires the following courses in addition to the core courses and Colonnade courses required of all Business students: RE 170C, RE 171C, RE 272C, RE 273C, RE 274C, 3 hour Real Estate elective and a 3 hour Business elective. (BUS 230C-Internship strongly recommended.)

Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies (A.A.)
Reference Number: 276P (seeking admission)
276 (officially admitted) / Minimum Hours for Degree: 64-66
Degree: Associate of Arts