Professional Studies
Designed for working professionals.
It offers flexible, career-focused pathways that allow students to transfer prior college credits, gain credits for work or military experience, and complete their degree faster. With multiple concentrations and a structure that supports adult learners, the program helps individuals advance their careers without disrupting their personal or professional life.
100% Online
Available for all types of learners: traditional, nontraditional, and working professionals.
Specializations
-
General
To complete the General Specialization you will take the Professional Studies Core and any two of the following certificates:
- Administrative Management Certificate
- Innovation through AI Certificate
- Insurance Management Certificate
- Project Management
- Public Health and Risk Management Certificate
For more information, please visit the catalog.
General Specialization Skill Areas:
- Innovative thinking
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities
- Action/solution-oriented problem-solving
- Functioning effectively in both oral and written forms
- Communicating effectively in both oral and written forms
- Decision-making
- Resource management
- Strategic thinking
- Continuous improvement
-
Risk and Insurance Management
To complete the Risk and Insurance Management Specialization you will take the Professional Studies core and two of the following stackable certificates:
- Risk Management Certificate
- Insurance Management Certificate
- Public Health and Risk Management Certificate
For more information, please visit the catalog.
Risk and Insurance Management Skill Areas:
- Develop and implement safety and risk programs across industries
- Assess and respond to insurable risks in diverse organizations
- Understand insurance principles and their role in hazard and risk planning
- Analyze data and apply statistical tools to assess risk
- Navigate complex safety regulations
-
Occupational Safety and Health Management
To complete the Occupational Safety and Health Management Specialization you will take the Professional Studies core and both of the following certificates:
- Public Health and Risk Management Certificate
- Occupational Safety and Health Management Certificate
For information, please visit the catalog.
Occupational Safety and Health Management Skill Areas:
- Describe the fundamental aspects of safety and health management
- Identify and apply standards, regulations, codes, and guidelines associated with the safety and health management discipline
- Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and develop control strategies for hazardous conditions and work practices
- Explain the purpose and operation of insurance
- Develop a workplace emergency management plan
- Design and evaluate an organization's safety management system using ISo 45001
- Complete safety management training by applying adult learning theories
- Conduct an incident investigation and analysis
-
Leadership
To complete the Leadership Specialization you will take the Professional Studies core and two of the following course groupings:
- Change Management and Quality Assurance Courses
- Management Certificate
- Project Management Certificate
For more information, please visit the catalog.
Leadership Specialization Skill Areas:
- Ethical leadership
- Organizational skills
- Innovative thinking
- Open communication
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities
- Action/solution-oriented problem-solving
- Functioning effectively in both oral and written forms
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Resource management
- Strategic thinking
- Continuous improvement
-
Project Management
To complete the Project Management Specialization you will take the Management Certificate and either the Administrative Management Certificate or the Project Management Certificate.
For more information, please visit the catalog.
Project Management Skill Areas:
- Manage diverse projects
- Organizational communication
- Ethical leadership
- Administrative management
- Action/solution-oriented problem solving
- Functioning effectively on multidisciplinary teams
- Change management
- Decision-making
- Resource management
- Strategic thinking
- Continuous improvement
CWU News
Kittitas County awards second two-year contract to CWU mental health clinic
March 11, 2026 by David Leder
2026 Student Civic Leadership Award recipients announced
March 11, 2026 by Rune Torgersen