As the job market grows increasingly competitive and saturated with qualified candidates, employers require job-ready skills from the professionals they hire.
Companies and organizations are seeking professionals who can quickly apply their practical knowledge and expertise to address pressing challenges, such as navigating digital innovation or implementing scalable solutions. While the reality of these heightened expectations can be daunting, an MPS degree is an ideal match for today’s professional landscape.
But what is an MPS degree? A Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree is a career-focused graduate program designed to equip students with practical skills, interdisciplinary knowledge, and industry connections. While traditional master’s degrees emphasize theoretical frameworks and academic research, MPS master’s degrees are intentionally designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.
Let’s explore why MPS graduates are highly qualified to face the competition of today’s job market.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degrees Enhance Your Professional Skills
One of the defining strengths of an MPS degree is its interdisciplinary foundation. In today’s complex and rapidly evolving industries, professionals must be able to think critically, solve problems creatively, and adapt to a variety of challenges. MPS programs are designed with this in mind—blending multiple disciplines to provide a well-rounded education that reflects the realities of the modern workplace.
Rather than focusing on a single field of study, the MPS curriculum draws from complementary fields, including business, technology, communication, and data analytics. For example, a student in an MPS program might explore how product management intersects with user experience design, or how marketing strategy aligns with data science. This cross-disciplinary approach creates agile thinkers who can approach problems from multiple angles and develop practical, forward-thinking solutions.
Through hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world case studies, you can gain practical experience while strengthening your core competencies, including communication, leadership, and strategic thinking. These transferable skills are not only in high demand—they are essential for any professional looking to lead in fast-paced, innovation-driven industries.
Pursue Specializations that Address Industry Demands in a Master of Professional Studies Program
In today’s rapidly evolving industries, professionals may wonder how to stay current with new industry knowledge. With constant technological advancements, shifting market demands, and adapting regulations, it’s easy to feel disconnected from emerging trends. MPS programs are built to address this by aligning course offerings and specializations with current industry needs. Through case studies, real-world scenarios, and specialized coursework, MPS students are equipped with the context and tools to keep pace.
Whether you focus on data analytics, UX design, or cybersecurity, an MPS program will offer tailored learning paths that align with current market trends and personal career goals, ensuring your studies are relevant and up-to-date. Additionally, collaborative projects and industry partnerships provide hands-on experience. These opportunities will enable you to apply your specialized knowledge in practical settings, build professional networks, and acquire the expertise necessary to excel in your chosen field.
Increase Your Professional Credibility and Advancement Opportunities with an MPS Degree
One of the most significant advantages of an MPS program is the access it provides to a robust professional network that spans various industries.
Through faculty mentorship, alumni engagement, university support services, and collaborative capstone projects, you can connect with professionals who offer insight, guidance, and potential career opportunities. These connections are more than just networking; they are strategic partnerships that will help you succeed in the real world.
The versatility of the MPS format also means you are well-equipped to pivot careers or take on leadership roles in new sectors. Whether transitioning from tech to policy or academia to business, MPS graduates bring practical expertise and a future-focused perspective that employers value.
The Real World is Calling: Enhance Your Resume with a Cornell MPS in the Bowers College of Computing and Information Science
In a data-driven, tech-powered world, the demand for professionals with interdisciplinary expertise and applied technical skills continues to rise. At the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, you can meet that demand head-on with two rigorous Master of Professional Studies (MPS) programs—Data Science and Applied Statistics or Information Science.
These one-year, career-focused degree programs prepare you to tackle real-world challenges through a flexible, customizable curriculum and immersive project-based learning. Whether you are refining your statistical modeling skills or building human-centered technologies, the MPS programs at Cornell Bowers CIS combine technical mastery with practical application.
Both programs offer:
- An interdisciplinary approach that merges theory with hands-on learning
- Career support throughout the program and beyond
- Opportunities to work with client companies through the MPS project
- Direct access to world-class faculty and Cornell’s prestigious Ivy League alumni network
In Data Science and Applied Statistics, you can choose from two program options:
- Statistical Analysis: a traditional MPS with an emphasis on the techniques of statistical analysis
- Data Science: an alternative route that provides additional training in computer science to better prepare students for the challenges that today’s influx of data brings, emphasizing high-performance computing, databases, middleware, and scripting
MPS students also work in teams to complete a semester-long MPS project for a real-world client, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship in the process. The project emphasizes collaboration, timely deliverables, and practical problem-solving across disciplines.
Learn more about the MPS in Data Science and Applied Statistics in our guide: Cracking the Code: Your Guide to Earning a Master’s in Data Science and Applied Statistics at Cornell Bowers CIS.
In Information Science, you can choose from four optional focus areas:
- Data Science: analyzing large datasets using data mining and programming to answer key questions and inform decisions
- Networks, Crowds, and Markets: studying online systems, human behavior, and decision-making using models from economics, sociology, and more
- User Experience: creating human-centered technology products that provide meaningful experiences and societal impact
- Interactive Technologies: designing and building interactive tools and systems for various domains, including health and business
Likewise, the MPS project in this degree program deepens your industry readiness through hands-on, data-driven work supported by core coursework.
Learn more about the MPS in Information Science in our guide: From Classroom to Career: Cornell Bowers CIS' Information Science Degree.
Countless MPS graduates testify to the well-rounded education they received at Cornell Bowers CIS, often citing how their chosen degree directly impacted their professional life.
“The MPS was a transformational experience. It turns you from an engineer or analyst into a transformational leader. The sky is the limit, and the network you build–before and after the program–leaves a legacy. It molds the ways you communicate, how you behave, and how you think. Everything is transformed in this experience.” – Bhairav Mehta MPS ’04
If you have questions about how an MPS from Cornell Bowers CIS aligns with your goals and interests, request more information below. Our team is happy to support you on your journey from academic excellence to professional success.