Professional Studies Program > General Program Requirements

OVERVIEW

Bachelor of Science
Liberal Studies Professional Studies

The Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies - Professional Studies at WCU prepares the student for many exciting future opportunities! Students graduate demonstrating professional proficiency choosing from a range of available minors allowing the student's selected areas of study to reflect a customized plan of study. With over 350 students currently enrolled in the major, Professional Studies is one of the fastest growing majors on campus!

If you have professional background already,
the BS in Liberal Studies - Professional Studies is for you!

Candidates for the BS Liberal Studies, in addition to General Education Requirements, are required to complete two minors including one from a designated professional area.

Click here to be directed to the list of minors offered at WCU.
(Please see department for requirements specific to each minor.)

Professional Area Minors include:
Accounting, Athletic Coaching, Business Geographics and Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Dance, Early Childhood Education, Economics, Elementary Education, Finance, Geography, Health Sciences, International Studies, Jazz Studies, Music, Music History, Professional Education, Public Management, Reading and Special Education. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science Liberal Studies-Professional Studies are prepared to enter the workforce as well as advanced programs of study including Masters' Programs and Law School.

Other points of interest:

• There is no language requirement although many students choose a foreign language as one of their minor areas of study.
• Many Professional Studies Majors choose to take a third minor.
• The BS Liberal Studies also incorporates students who have hit roadblocks in other disciplines (such as the PRAXIS exam).
• Students need a 2.0 to declare a major in Professional Studies.
• All Professional Studies Students are assigned an advisor to assist them in completion of their degree at WCU.

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VALUES AND MISSION STATEMENT

The Professional Studies program values:

• Student Individuality and Creativity in the development of their unique program of study;
• Interdisciplinary Study which emphasize the everyday connections between fields of study;
• Student Responsibility and Independence in taking ownership of their academic experience; and
• Development of Transferable Skills that will enable students to succeed in their future endeavors.

Professional Studies Program Vision:

The Professional Studies Program will maintain and ensure a quality educational experience as developed by each of its students.  It will be responsive to the needs of the university and its students.  Matriculation through the Program will be an empowering experience as students assume greater control of their academic plan.

Professional Studies Program Mission Statement:

The Professional Studies Program at West Chester University enables students to create a unique, individualized academic program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.  The process through which the program is created encourages students to critically assess their personal skills and abilities, strengths and weaknesses, personal values and priorities as they plan their educational experience.  The skills and abilities that are developed during the student’s matriculation through their program of study will benefit them in their professional and personal lives.

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WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY MAJOR?

Professional Studies actually opens more doors than a student might realize.  The key element upon which a Professional Studies student should focus is the diversity of skills and abilities they develop while pursuing this major.  Employers in today’s job market are looking for job candidates who can work collaboratively, can think on their feet, look at a problem from different perspectives, analyze it and come up with solutions, communicate effectively in both oral and written form, and think critically.  In short, it prepares students to face the ever changing and ever challenging demands of today’s workplace.

Students who wish to pursue graduate degrees or other post-baccalaureate degree opportunities might need to take additional coursework either within the undergraduate degree or later, in order to meet the admissions requirements for those programs.  When this is identified during advising sessions, the Program Advisor will assist the student in reviewing various options. 

An assessment of the program’s graduates is presently underway.  Results indicating where our graduates are employed and where they are going to graduate school will be forthcoming and will be posted on this website.

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