Inspire and prepare graduate and professional learners to transform the way the world works for good.
Grounded in Brown’s commitment to academic excellence, student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose, the School of Professional Studies creates and delivers programs that empower learners at all career stages to transform themselves, their workplaces and the communities they serve.
Meet the dedicated alumni, faculty and staff community that make up the heart of the School of Professional Studies.
The School of Professional Studies is a component of Brown’s Division of Master's and Professional Programs. Working in collaboration with academic departments across the University, the Division oversees and supports more than 40 master’s programs, offered in residential, online and hybrid formats. At the heart of the Division is the Center for Master’s Student Excellence, a hub designed to foster community engagement, cultivate professional growth and provide accessible resources to academic and career support, health and wellbeing, financial guidance and more.
Dedicated to delivering a holistic student experience, the Center for Master's Student Excellence focuses on building community, nurturing professional development and empowering access to vital resources.
The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is one of Brown University’s six schools, including the Graduate School, the School of Public Health, the School of Engineering, the Watson School of International and Public Affairs and the Warren Alpert Medical School. With its origins dating back three decades to Brown’s summer and continuing studies program, SPS was established as a stand-alone school in 2014, under the leadership of Karen Sibley, Ed.D., with the purpose of enhancing the University’s reach and impact in the world by reaching new communities of learners across the career continuum through distinctive degree and non-degree programs aligned with Brown’s academic strengths.
Today, SPS continues to offer a growing portfolio of flexible programs that meet learners where they are, including professional master's degree programs in Healthcare Leadership, Technology Leadership and the IE Brown Executive MBA; three online master's degree programs in Organizational Leadership, Management and Business Analytics, and more than 20 non-degree executive education and professional certificates. SPS also offers a distinctive Mindfulness portfolio and custom programs for organizations.
Leadership
The Committee on Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs (CAPFA) consists of five tenured Brown faculty appointed by the Provost, in consultation with the Faculty Executive Committee. CAPFA reviews and approves faculty appointments in the School of Professional Studies, and provides advice and guidance on new and continuing SPS programs and academic initiatives.
For 2024-25, CAPFA members are: Ani Eloyan, David Lindstrom, Jason Protass, Dov Sax and David Skarbeck.