The mission of the School of Professional Studies is to draw on Brown University’s commitment to academic excellence, intellectual freedom, and diversity, equity and inclusion to create and deliver programs that empower learners at all career stages to transform themselves, their workplaces and the communities they serve.
The School resides within the Division of Master's and Professional Programs which oversees and supports over 40 on-campus and online master's and professional programs.
About Us
Our Community
Meet the dedicated alumni, faculty and staff community that make up the heart of the School of Professional Studies.
Our History
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 offers a portfolio of programs of varying lengths and formats to 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, more than 20 non-degree executive education and professional certificates. SPS also offers distinctive programs customized to meet the needs of organizations.
Leadership
- 2014-2019: Karen Sibley, Ed.D., Emeritus Dean, School of Professional Studies
- 2019-2022: Leah VanWey, Dean of the Faculty, Brown University
- 2022-2025: Shankar Prasad, Dean, School of Professional Studies, Vice President, Academic Innovation
- 2025-present: Sandra Smith, Dean, School of Professional Studies and Master's Programs
10 Year Anniversary
2024 marked the 10th anniversary for the School of Professional Studies.
Committee on Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs (CAPFA)
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.
The Brown Difference
Our commitment to educational innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and making an impact in the world is at the core of what we do.