BA in Professional Studies

Overview

The BA in Professional Studies allows students to pursue individualized academic interests and personal/professional goals within the framework of an academically sound and rigorous baccalaureate degree program. It offers the student flexibility and allows for intellectual growth in a number of academic areas, rather than the fixed course requirements of traditional degree programs.

Some students choose the Professional Studies program to assemble unique career requirements or to acquire a broad cultural perspective. Others use it to build programs of maximum academic strength in preparation for specific graduate programs. Some enhance their job performance by combining knowledge and competencies across several departments.

Professional Studies is an excellent alternative for the mature student who wants to build on past experience and design his or her degree for current or future needs. An advisor from the Outreach and Continuing Education Department guides the student and approves their class schedule.

Requirements

Complete requirements for the Professional Studies program at Winona State University can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Goals Statement

The purpose of the Professional Studies major/minor goals statement is to provide information to the advisor about the student and what he or she expects to accomplish through this major/minor. It also asks the student to give thought to the knowledge and competencies he or she hopes to acquire and how this might be achieved.
There are three sections to the Goals Statement:

1. Introduce yourself. Include schools attended, jobs held, personal information you may wish to share and the circumstances leading to your entry or re-entry to the university.
2. Rationale for preferring the Professional Studies major/minor rather than a more traditional major/minor with fixed courses. Explain your reasons for wanting the Professional Studies major/minor. Show it will help you achieve your goals and objectives.
3. Bodies of knowledge and competencies you hope to acquire through the Professional Studies major/minor. Illustrate by describing departments and courses that may be useful. Relate this to your past experience and future needs.

This statement should be written as soon as possible after the Professional Studies major/minor is formally declared. To declare the major/minor, complete a declaration of major/minor form available at the Warrior Hub, 222 Maxwell and bring it to Somsen 106 for the required signatures. To view available majors or minors click here.