MAPS Curriculum
You will design your own curriculum by proposing a series of courses designed to meet your professional needs. Courses you choose must be drawn from at least two different programs to ensure an interdisciplinary experience.
Degree requirements
30 credit hours, consisting of the following curriculum:
- GRAD 757: Introductory core course in professional studies (3 credits)
- GRAD Core Courses – applied professional skills curriculum (9 credits)
- Elective courses from two programs, tailored based on academic and professional interests (15 credits, with a maximum of 9 credits from one program)
- GRAD 992: Capstone Project (3 credits) – enrollment must be approved by director, upon completion of elective hours.
You may choose to enroll full-time or part-time and will have five years to complete the degree. The MAPS program will utilize a mix of in-person and online courses.
Sample Areas of Interest
Please note these sample areas of interest are strictly meant to be examples of the concentration you select or create.
MAPS Core (9 credits)
Global Development slate of courses, as selected by student (15 credits, variable credit and terms)
- Business
- Economics
- Geography
- Global Studies
- Health Behavior
- History
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Other community-based course(s)
MAPS Capstone (3 credits, Fall and Spring)
MAPS Core (9 credits)
Military Leadership in Society slate of courses, as selected by student (15 credits, variable credit and terms)
- Business
- Communication
- Government
- History
- Peace, War, and Defense
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Other community-based course(s)
MAPS Capstone (3 credits, Fall and Spring)
MAPS Core (9 credits)
Nonprofit Management slate of courses, as selected by student (15 credits, variable credit and terms)
- Business
- Communication
- Health Policy and Management
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Other course(s) selected by student
MAPS Capstone (3 credits, Fall and Spring)
MAPS Core (9 credits)
Research Administration slate of courses, as selected by student (15 credits, variable credit and terms)
- Communication
- The Graduate School
- Health Policy and Management
- Information Science
- Other course(s) selected by student
MAPS Capstone (3 credits, Fall and Spring)
MAPS Core (9 credits)
Women in Leadership slate of courses, as selected by student (15 credits, variable credit and terms)
- Anthropology
- Business
- Communication
- Education
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Women and Gender Studies
- Other community-based course(s)
MAPS Capstone (3 credits, Fall and Spring)
Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Leadership, & Management (GCILM)
As a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate student, you are eligible to earn the Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Leadership, & Management (GCILM). The certificate is designed to prepare graduate students for the world of work, by developing fundamental skills needed to be successful in a variety of roles. For more information please visit: The Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Leadership, & Management – CareerWell.
Professional Development
In addition to the Master of Applied Professional Studies (MAPS) degree and the Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Leadership, and Management (GCILM), The Graduate School offers a wealth of professional development courses, events, and resources. Be sure to check out The Graduate School’s Professional Development site to learn more.