College's name change reflects professional focus

Northeastern’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies is changing its name to the College of Professional Studies. The change was approved June 6 by the university’s board of trustees. The name change is the result of the school’s five-year evolution that began with changing the name from University College to the School of Professional and Continuing Studies.  During that time, the school introduced graduate degrees, created a number of fully online degree programs and added college transfer programs for working professionals. 

In addition, the school developed strong relationships with the university’s other colleges that resulted in collaborations on a number of programs.  Together with the College of Arts and Sciences, the school re-launched the School of Education and the World Language Center, and with Enrollment Management and Student Services, created the Global Pathways program and NU-IN.

“The new name is a better reflection of the college’s professional focus. As the college continues to evolve, it will introduce more professional graduate programs and increase international and online programs,” said Joseph Aoun, president of the university.

“The college needed to make changes as a result of the changing demographics in the Boston region and a shift in the professional, part-time education market,” said Christopher E. Hopey, vice president and dean, College of Professional Studies.  “In addition, the changes are in response to alumni, international students, and working professionals’ requests for flexible schedules, accelerated degree programs, and more programs online.”