Graduate Study > Masters Degree = available online

Our customizable Master of Science in Professional Studies program is designed for students who wish to combine their interests in two or three areas of study. Our academic advisors play a key role in designing your program and keeping you on track toward its completion.

The customizable MS program allows you to select professional concentrations from a broad range of RIT programs and departments. For example, you might design an MS program that combines concentrations in communication, graphic arts publishing, and general business. Or, you might design an MS program with concentrations in imaging science, color science, and software development. Each program can be as unique as the individual pursuing it. RIT Advanced Certificates can also be used towards the Professional Studies MS degree.

To apply for graduate study at RIT online, please visit the department of Part Time and Graduate Enrollment's website at http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/grad_app.html.

For more information about graduate program, download our graduate brochure or email us at cms@rit.edu.

In addition to concentrations, our MS program has two core courses:

Context and Trends (4 credits)
This course introduces students to interdisciplinary thinking, problem solving and research techniques and also print and electronic information resources appropriate to the students individualized plan-of-study. During this course, students design their Professional Studies MS degree professional concentrations through consultation with RIT faculty members and the graduate program coordinator and advisor.

Capstone Project (4 credits)
This course is a supervised, hands-on experience in which students apply the skills and knowledge developed through their individualized plans of study and conclude with oral and written presentations. Some examples of previous capstone projects can be found in the Student Work Gallery and the https://ritdml.rit.edu/dspace/index.jsp.

New to CMS is our Professional Studies program in Clinical Research Management. This concentration will officially be launched in the fall of 2008. An example plan of study with the Clinical Research Management concentration is below. You will work with the Graduate Advisor, Abby Berner, to customize a plan of study that best fits your professional and academic needs.

First course: Context and Trends (catered towards Clinical Research)

Concentration A: Clinical Research Management (20 credits)
Pharmaceutical Product Development
Science Writing in Clinical Research
Good Clinical Practices
Clinical Trial Design
Ethical Foundations

Concentration B: Project Management (12-20 credits)
Introduction to Project Management
Advanced Project Management
International Project Management

Two Electives (Up to 8 credits)

Last Course: Capstone Project (catered towards Clinical Research) (4 credits)