February 18, 2009

Purdue creates center to focus on professional education

The Center for Professional Studies in Technology and Applied Research, which will be known as PROSTAR, will administer graduate-level degrees, certificates, courses and workshops to professionals in business and technology fields. Richard O. Buckius, Purdue's vice president for research, and Purdue Provost Randy Woodson approved the center's creation on Feb. 9.

The center was established to support the university's strategic plan in the area of engagement, promote partnerships with business and industry, and drive economic growth.

The programs and courses can be delivered on campus, by distance, at a customer location or using a combination of methods. Courses in each of the programs are taught by College of Technology faculty in various departments.

"The center will fulfill the College of Technology's mission to provide applied research opportunities to professionals around the state as well as the nation," said Gary Bertoline, associate dean for graduate programs and research in the college. "It will create opportunities to partner with business and industry professionals to identify and implement significant improvement projects."

Mark Schuver, currently director of professional education and the Weekend Master's Degree Program in the Department of Industrial Technology, will be the center's interim director.

He said that in the past, the organization for professional programs in the college has been administered at the department level, but the new center will provide a focal point to enable academic departments to implement programs that support their strategic initiatives. It also will be a resource for external organizations and individuals seeking educational opportunities.

"This will result in better and more efficient coordination, enabling the college to offer more courses and graduate-level programs in the future," Schuver said. "We expect to expand the number of programs as we continue to respond to the demand for innovation and technology leadership skill development in business and industry."

The center will employ program managers and adjunct faculty to develop and deliver the programs in close cooperation with academic departments within the College of Technology. It will also seek to develop cooperative programs with the Purdue Statewide Technology organization and other colleges within the university.

The center will add programs that build on the success of the current Weekend Master's Degree and Rolls-Royce Master's Degree program format.

The Weekend Master's Degree is a 22-month program that gives working professionals the opportunity to earn a master's degree in technology. Groups of students meet for three weekends a semester at the West Lafayette campus. The program was initially tailored for those interested in manufacturing and distribution, but it is now focused on anyone looking to hone their technology and leadership skills. This degree program was established more than 10 years ago in West Lafayette. In fall 2008, the program expanded to Columbus. It will expand this fall to include a non-distance program delivered at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Training and Reception Center in Lafayette.

The Rolls-Royce Master's Degree Program in Technology is patterned after the Weekend Master's Degree program. Courses are offered at the Rolls-Royce/UAW Training Center in Indianapolis and are taught by Purdue faculty. Participants complete 30 credit hours of coursework, along with three hours of a directed project in five consecutive semesters, and graduate in 22 months.

In addition to programs supported by the new center, the College of Technology offers a distance learning master's degree program through the Department of Building Construction Management. The program is geared toward those working in the construction field and who are interested in career advancement. It is delivered primarily via distance but some on-campus instruction also is included. This program began in fall 2006.

The Center for Professional Studies in Technology and Applied Research is one of 116 official centers at Purdue and is housed on the first floor of the Engineering Administration Building. For more information about the center and its programs, contact Schuver at (765) 496-2094, mschuver@purdue.edu.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Mark Schuver, (765) 496-2094, mschuver@purdue.edu

Gary Bertoline, (765) 494-6875, bertoline@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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