College of Professional Studies Viewbook 2024

Empowering Professional Success Anytime, Anywhere

Greetings, Future Wildcats!

“I’m David Cartwright, dean at Johnson & Wales University’s College of Professional Studies. Whether you have just applied or are thinking of applying to a program, we are honored that you are considering the College of Professional Studies (CPS) to pursue your academic dreams. We want to provide you with an exceptional education and all of the personalized support you need to succeed.

Recognizing that online students often must balance full-time jobs and family with their classwork, we offer guidance from day one throughout your educational journey. Dedicated student academic advisors will help you plan your studies, student transfer advisors will help you save time and money toward earning your degree, and financial planners will work with you to pay tuition. Our tutors are available by phone, web conferencing and email. In addition, students have access to writing support, quantitative skills support and tutor.com, an online tutoring service that offers live and virtual support 24/7.

On behalf of all faculty and staff at CPS, I thank you for taking time to learn about CPS. We look forward to working with you, and we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions. Everyone at CPS is here to help!”

With Flexibility and Support 100% Online 100% Committed to YOU

Flexibility of Learning

“I chose to earn my MBA at JWU because of the school’s reputation for experiential learning. JWU offers a more personalized online education than I have experienced at other schools. The flexibility of learning online has made it possible for me to work full time while attending school. I plan to pursue my Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree at JWU to achieve my goal of helping others succeed as entrepreneurs.”

Mayra Gonzales, MBA - Business ’23, Entrepreneur & Owner of MG Touch of Magic, LLC, Providence, R.I.

A Better Tomorrow

“My decision to return to school to earn a master’s degree was driven by becoming a single mom and by my desire to make a good future for my son. I want to be a good example for him.

Studying public administration at JWU is helping me gain the knowledge I need to move into future leadership roles. Right now, I’m applying what I’ve learned about fundraising and nonprofit management to my current job at the Providence Housing Authority. In my role as the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) community safety coordinator, I assist public housing residents or HCV/Section 8 participants who are victims of violence to relocate to safety. I’ve had the opportunity this year to work with the director of resident services to develop this program, through which we have served 115 families.

JWU’s online master’s program has been flexible enough for me as a parent to be able to give my son the time that he needs, while working and going to school. While I like learning in a classroom, for where I am in my life right now, it is so helpful to be able to learn online. I can work at my pace and still have that positive interaction with teachers and with classmates through the discussion boards. I highly recommend JWU’s Master of Public Administration degree for anyone wanting to work in the public sector or to advance in leadership roles within nonprofit organizations.”

Emmeline Orellana, M.P.A. – Master of Public Administration ’24 Candidate; B.S. – Criminal Justice ’18, VOCA Community Safety Coordinator Section 8, Providence Housing Authority, Providence, R.I.

Investing In My Future

“I have been asked why a successful physician would choose to return to school to earn a business degree. I have thought about earning an MBA for a long time. A few things coalesced that finally compelled me to enroll at JWU CPS. When I earned my medical degree in 1999, my minor was in business management as this was an interest I had outside of medicine when I was young. My dad has always inspired me; he has three master’s degrees, two of which are in engineering, and one is an MBA. In addition, my son, who is getting close to graduating from high school, is interested in studying finance. Knowing more about business will help me relate to him by sharing his interest.

Finally, I had a conversation with a coworker, who mentioned that she has been taking Spanish lessons. She explained that the hospital pays for employees to enroll in programs through a partnership the hospital has with Guild Education. When I looked at the course offerings, there were a number of different MBA programs. JWU’s MBA with a finance concentration program interested me because it includes investing — something I am thinking a lot about as I plan for retirement.

The professors have been great and very responsive any time I have had questions. The university does a fantastic job of providing resources. JWU offers tutor.com, which I have used a couple times. I have also used the Writing Center for my very first paper, because I had not written a paper in decades! All of the resources, added to the support from the professors, have given me a wonderful experience.

When I signed up, I was told to expect about 10 hours per week per course. And that’s pretty spot-on as far as how many hours I spend each week. If I can do it, while seeing patients in the office, operating and being on call — and fulfilling family responsibilities, including coaching competitive soccer — then anyone can do it.

By enrolling in the MBA program at Johnson & Wales University, I am living proof of the value of education and the doors it can open for people of all ages.”

Ajay Patel, M.D., MBA – Finance ’24 Candidate, General and Vascular Surgeon, AdventHealth Carrollwood, Tampa, Fla.

Meet the team.

At JWU, we are committed to your success and we pride ourselves on our personalized support for all students. From day one you’ll have a team of dedicated professionals to help you navigate your professional journey. Your admissions associate will help you through the application and enrollment process; your financial planner will walk you through your options for keeping your degree affordable and your academic advisor will work with you on advising, tutoring and study resources as well as registration and accommodation. Let’s review the application process and meet some of the team you could be working with.

Application Process:

1 2 3

Submit Your Application Visit online.jwu.edu/apply-step-1 to submit your free application.

Submit Your Academic Transcripts

Applicants can contact their previous institutions to request their own transcript, or they can have their dedicated admissions associate attempt to request transcripts on their behalf.

File Your FAFSA

For applicants that intend to apply for financial aid, visit studentaid.gov to apply for and submit your FAFSA. Don’t forget to use the JWU school code of 003404.

Admissions

“At CPS, we strive to help students have a wonderful JWU experience. We work to ensure each student feels valued and appreciated. From a student’s first interaction with JWU, they will be assigned dedicated team members to guide them through their JWU journey.”

Grace Pericolo, Associate Director of Enrollment Management

“What makes JWU unique is that we prioritize students individually. As an admissions associate, I aim to provide adaptable services that cater to the needs of every student. Whether we request transcripts or guide them through the application process, we ensure their enrollment is as smooth as possible and that we optimize their time, as we understand the many responsibilities students juggle outside of school.”

Krystel Acosta, Admissions Associate

“As a JWU alumna, I recall my experience as an applicant in every conversation I have with my students. I help them through the steps they need to take and set their minds at ease. I look forward to welcoming you to the Wildcat Family, too!”

Nicole Perrone, Admissions Associate

“The CPS Financial Planning Team understands that paying for college and navigating financial aid can be stressful. We strive to simplify this for the student by being available via phone, email and Zoom meetings. The team responds quickly to inquiries, letting the student know they are important to us. A student sometimes needs a soothing voice just to tell them all will be well. We are that voice for our students.”

“Each student arrives at JWU with a different background and a unique experience within the educational system. Here at CPS, we take time to consider each student’s circumstance and guide them through the sometimesconfusing financial journey of higher education, ensuring that they’ll have the energy to focus on getting their degree!”

Brian Ingalls, Financial Planner

“The total years’ experience the financial planners have here at JWU help with providing each student the best financial relationships we have formed with all departments under one roof have been extremely helpful when needing quick answers. We know each student’s situation is different, and

Financial Planning

Marybeth Dempsey

Stacy Bateni

Brian Ingalls

Marybeth Dempsey, Financial Planner

Academic Advising

Jessica Rounds

Debbie Cormier

Harry Ryan Jr.

“Our advising team is instrumental to the success of our online students. With career experience in the relevant fields, we offer industry-specific advice and support. We assist students in course planning, provide academic resources and maintain open communication. By fostering strong relationships with our students, we guide them through their programs, ensuring they achieve their academic goals.”

“As an academic advisor, it’s important to recognize that each student’s situation is different when they arrive at JWU. This is why building a strong positive relationship with students early on is so valuable; it’s important that students recognize they are not alone. Being there every step of the way and watching a student graduate is one of the most rewarding parts of academic advising!”

Jessica Rounds, Manager of Academic Advising/Academic Advisor

“At CPS, online academic advisors serve as a supportive guide, aiding students by offering personalized guidance on course selection, degree planning and career aspirations. We provide crucial insights to help online students address challenges, set goals and access resources essential to their academic success in our digital environment.”

Harry Ryan Jr., Academic Advisor

Debbie Cormier, Academic Advisor

Every Teacher Is Amazing

“As a Marine Corps veteran, I was deployed in November 2004. I was on the ground for the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq, Operation Phantom Fury — the biggest battle of the 20-year Iraq and Afghanistan wars. My Combat Engineer squad was attached directly to 3rd Battalion 1st Marines (3/1) Kilo Company, fighting against the Mujahideen stronghold in the city. The battle was bloody and violent. On the 5th day of the battle (12 Nov 2004) in an area we called ‘The Fallujah 400,’ I was wounded; later I was awarded a Purple Heart.

Fast forward, I’m now an account executive for WM (Waste Management), juggling school, work, and family life. WM rolled out a partnership

program with Guild Education a few years back. Fortunate to work for a large company that funds education for their employees, Guild Education offers an amazing opportunity. Many of the folks in my organization’s leadership tiers have MBA degrees. When the opportunity opened up through Guild Education, I didn’t want to have the same MBA degree as my senior positioned colleagues. I wanted a degree that would set me apart at my specific company, so I chose JWU’s M.S. in Finance degree program.

In my work as an account executive, JWU’s online finance program is making me a better and sharper employee by increasing my understanding about the business and math side of my industry. Every teacher I’ve had at JWU is absolutely amazing — and really cares.”

Follow Your Passions

“I’ve loved sports for as long as I remember. I played sports from age four up until high school, and then coached. My dad and I watched all of the Boston sports games together. Before he passed, he asked me to promise him that I would finish school. My mom graduated from JWU with a business management degree, so when I saw that JWU CPS offered a program for Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management, it just clicked.

At CPS, I’m gaining the knowledge and experience I’ll need to succeed in this industry. I’m learning sports marketing, ticketing methods, venue management, media relations and concert and music production. Being around sport-minded people in the program and interning at 98.5 The Sports Hub is building my confidence. I’m meeting people who are on the career path I want to pursue.

It wasn’t easy going back to school; it was tough for me to get motivated. I’ve focused on the light at the end of the tunnel — being able to work in an industry I’ll enjoy. When people ask, I tell them that going back to school at JWU CPS is the best decision I could have made.”

Chelsea Delfino, B.S. – Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management ’24 Candidate, Sports Radio Programming Intern, 98.5 The Sports Hub, Waltham, Mass.

Real-World Success

“After working at several different financial institutions, and feeling I had hit my ceiling, I started exploring different companies. I wanted to focus on what I really enjoy doing: helping people. I interviewed for various roles and was surprised when I was offered a position in Human Resources — why did the company think I was a good fit? Recognizing I would be supporting company leaders, each of whom had been with the organization for 25–30 years, I initially experienced impostor syndrome!

I needed to develop a deeper understanding of the business so that I could create value for this leadership team. Thinking this might be a good time for me to get my master’s degree, I enrolled at JWU CPS through the partnership my company has with Guild Education. Before I was in the program, I felt like I was making decisions without understanding the legalities and standards. Now that I’m enrolled, things just click, and I can relate what I’m doing in my new role back to what I’m learning in school.

Now I truly understand why I’m a good fit for this position.

JWU CPS supports your journey towards educational growth by providing knowledgeable teachers who are experts in their respective fields. The professors will help you polish your experiences, skills and knowledge so you can achieve real-world success — and become the best version of YOU. I recommend investing in an education at JWU CPS because the school cares about their students’ success — and everyone at JWU cares about you!”

Rasheeda Brooks Johnson, M.S. – Human Resource Management ’24 Candidate, Financial Investment Firm Human Resources Director, Westlake, Texas

Worth the Investment

“I started my career as a dishwasher at a little mom-and-pop restaurant in North Alabama. Becoming an executive chef has been a big mountain to climb — it’s still a big journey, but it’s lots of fun! At the point I decided I wanted to advance in my career from sous chef to a kitchen manager, I realized how much a bachelor’s degree would help me. Professor Samel from JWU’s Center for Food & Beverage Management was a great mentor. He opened the doors for me by introducing me to the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), which led to me getting hired as an executive chef.

Finding out I could complete the degree online while living and working in Florida was a godsend. The student transfer advisors made it easy for me to transfer credits. The advisors were very knowledgeable about how courses I had taken in

the past aligned with classes in the program at JWU — even though those courses were taken in two different states and three different colleges! I believe the advisors saved me a lot of time and money.

I was surprised at how supportive and knowledgeable the professors are. The examples they shared from their own industry experience were highly instructive. The confidence I gained in myself during the program helped me balance being a manager at work while going to school, which totaled 60–80 hours a week.

The program at JWU was definitely worth the investment. The food service management industry has so many different avenues — I can be a chef or a food and beverage director, or maybe even a general manager. If I ever need a backup plan because I can’t work anymore as a chef, I have confidence this bachelor’s degree will open up new opportunities for me within or outside of the industry.”

Michael Yates, B.S. – Culinary Arts and Food Service Management ’23 Executive Chef, Queens Harbor Yacht Country Club, Jacksonville, Fla.

Academic Programs

ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Business Administration

Hospitality Management

BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS

Accounting

Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management

Business Studies

Computer Science

Culinary Arts and Food Service Management

Digital Marketing & Social Media

Fashion Merchandising & Retailing

Finance

Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship

Food Industry Compliance Management

Healthcare Administration

Hospitality Management

Liberal Studies

Marketing & Advertising

Psychology

Public Health

Sports, Entertainment, Event-Management

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAMS

Business Administration

Entrepreneurship

Human Resource Management

Operations and Supply Chain Management

MASTER OF BUSINESS

ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS

Accounting

Business Administration

Business Administration (One Year)

Data Analytics

Event Leadership

Finance

Hospitality

Human Resource Management

Marketing

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Organizational Leadership

Organizational Psychology

Sport Leadership

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS

Criminal Justice

Data Analytics

Finance

Food Safety

Hospitality Management

Nutrition

Operations & Project Management

Organizational Psychology

DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

CERTIFICATES

Graduate Certificate in Hospitality

MICRO-CERTIFICATES

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Accounting

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Business Communication

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Food Compliance

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Foundational Operations & Supply Chain Management

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Foundations of Retail Management

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Technical Writing & Editing

Undergraduate Micro-Certificate in Visual Merchandising

Graduate Micro-Certificate in Operations & Supply Chain Management

Graduate Micro-Certificate in Sports Nutrition

Find the most up-to-date programs of study at online.jwu.edu/all-degree-programs

At CPS, we’re known for the personalized support you’ll receive from day one: from our admissions associates that will assist you with applying and enrolling at CPS, to the academic advisors that will guide you from your first day of class to graduation, to the academic student services we provide to help you with your assignments during your time as a student. We strive to let you know that you’re not on this journey alone; we’re all here to make sure you are successful as a CPS student and we’ll be at your side every step of the way.

Ready to begin your Academic Journey?

Apply to JWU

Complete your free online JWU application at online.jwu.edu/apply-step-1

Start when you’re ready CPS has six start dates throughout the year in January, March, May, July, August and October.

Already Applied?

Continue to work with your admissions associate to get you enrolled for classes.

8 Abbott Park Place Providence, RI 02903

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: Johnson & Wales University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, actual or potential parental, family, or marital status, including pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status in its programs, activities or employment, as required by Title IX and other laws. Inquiries about nondiscrimination can be made to: Nondiscrimination Coordinator, 8 Abbott Park Place, Providence, RI 02903, 401-598-2703, titleix@jwu.edu, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20202-1100, 800-421-3481.