Graduate & Professional Programs

Strategic Communication (MS)
Credits: 30

Program Type: Online
Advance within your current organization or transition onto a new career path through this program, which blends communication theory, emerging trends, and best practices. Become a leader adept at critical thinking and problem solving as you adapt to this rapidly evolving field.

Strategic Communication (Certificate)
Credits: 12
Program Type: Online
Develop the knowledge, skills and experience required for personal growth and career development in this rapidly changing field. Suitable for professionals seeking a graduate-level credential or a pathway into a Master’s in Strategic Communication.

Alternative Special Education–Mild Intervention Certificate
Credits: 18
Program Type: Online with a few on-campus Saturday sessions
This certificate is for current educators looking to add Special Education–Mild Intervention to an existing license, special education teachers on temporary permits, or those looking to enter the special education field for the first time. Led by experienced Butler College of Education faculty, the certificate program curriculum is centered on research-based teaching methods and integrated with a significant amount of guided clinical experiences, which allows you to practice applying concepts from your courses in authentic school and community settings. While courses are fully online, the program requires four on-campus Saturday sessions.
Applied Education Neuroscience Certificate
Credits: 9
Program Type: Online
This certificate meets the needs of educators, social workers, and counselors who work beside children and adolescents experiencing adversity and trauma. Become acquainted with the theoretical and empirical literature of educational neuroscience, trauma and the brain, and brain development as it relates to behaviors, relationships, and academic acquisition.

Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (MS)
Credits: 36
Program Type: On Campus
This innovative, experience-based program prepares you to be a successful school administrator. EPPSP’s experiential design incorporates each aspect of the principalship training model into a six-semester experience, allowing you to work closely with peers.

Licensed Mental Health Certificate
Credits: 12

Program Type: OnlineThis certificate meets the needs of school counseling graduates who currently hold a 48-credit-hour master’s degree. The program, taught by experienced mental health professionals, features asynchronous instruction and targeted personal engagement.

Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Credits: 60
Program Type: Online
This program offers hands-on training and a pathway to dual-licensure in mental health counseling and clinical addictions counseling. The program focuses on evidence-based practices and features partnerships with large mental health providers.
School Counseling (MS)
Credits: 60
Program Type: On Campus 
Learn to counsel K-12 students for social and emotional needs as well as guide students in academic choices leading to college and career readiness. You’ll leave the program with a mental health perspective and prepared to serve as team members empowered to accomplish meaningful systems change.
School Counseling (MS)
Credits: 60
Program Type: Online
Our master-level coursework will prepare you for licensure as a professional school counselor through online classes and hands-on experience, including 700 hours in K-12 schools during practicum and internships.

Teachers of English Learners Licensure
Credits: 15
Program Type: Hybrid (Online and On Campus)
This program is open to students who already possess a state teaching license and wish to teach linguistically diverse students. The program observes a hybrid structure with classes meeting in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Our specially designed curriculum is taught by Butler faculty who are experienced K-12 TEL teachers.

Creative Writing (MFA)
Credits: 36
Program Type: On Campus
Build a customized curriculum based on your unique artistic and professional interests in fiction, nonfiction,or poetry. Gain opportunities to edit content for our literary magazine, interact with guests of the Visiting Writers Series, and work with top-flight, full-time faculty.
English (MA)
Credits: 30, with thesis; 36, without thesis
Program Type: On Campus
Focus on English and American as well as European and world literature. This flexible, interactive program accommodates a wide array of academic interests and career goals. Additional topics of study include minority literatures; gender studies; colonial and post-colonial literatures; literary theory; and postmodernism.

Doctor of Medical Science Bridge Program
Credits: 14
Program Type: Online
Earn your Doctor of Medical Science degree by combining four 700-level Bridge courses and a semester-long capstone with 36 credit hours already completed during supervised clinical practice experiences from your entry-level master’s degree program. This program is only for PAs who have graduated within the past 6 months from an ARCPA-accredited entry-level program.

Doctor of Medical Science
Credits: 50
Program Type: Online
If you’re a PA interested in gaining more in-depth medical knowledge within primary care, or interested in learning the business acumen to advance to leadership positions within your workplace, this program is suited for you.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) 
Credits: 139
Program Type: On Campus
The Doctor of Pharmacy program empowers purposeful practitioners who lead within their communities and their professions in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and healthcare fields. Our robust curriculum equips students with clinical knowledge and skills on the use of medications through an experiential, immersive, and collaborative learning environment, preparing them to meet rapidly growing industry demands beyond the pharmacy.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Online Pathway
Credits: 139
Program Type: Online
The PharmD online pathway integrates a collaborative, immersive, and student-centered learning approach that prepares students as drug therapy experts and community leaders dedicated to serving society and improving patient outcomes. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Healthcare Practice and Administration (Certificate)
Credits: 12
Program Type: Online
Expand your foundational medical knowledge and business skills without pursuing an entire degree through this program.

Nurse Educator (Certificate)
Credits: 12
Program Type: Online
Acquire essential knowledge to be successful in a faculty role within nursing education.

PA Educator (Certificate)
Credits: 12
Program Type: Online
Enhance your understanding of teaching and medical education for PAs.

PA Studies (MPAS)
Duration: 24 months
Program Type: On Campus
You’ll learn to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in a wide variety of primary care clinical settings through this program. Butler’s PA program boosts a 100 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation, making it one of the premier programs in the country.

Data Analytics (MS)
Credits: 31-32
Program Type: Online
Contextualize data analytics in business analytics, healthcare analytics, and bioinformatics. Use hands-on learning and real-world applications to employ key technologies, such as data mining, machine learning, visualization, and predictive modeling.

Professional Education Certificates
Butler University Professional Education offers courses, certificates, and customized programs to individuals and organizations seeking to expand their knowledge to meet the rapidly changing needs of today’s professional environment.

Composition (M.Mus.)
Credits: 30
Program Type: On Campus
This writing-intensive degree provides numerous opportunities to write, perform, teach, and collaborate. You’ll exit the program with a professional body of work reflecting your newly expanded musical vocabulary and high level of craftsmanship.

Conducting, Choral (M.Mus.)
Credits: 30
Program Type: On Campus
Expand your knowledge, skill, and effectiveness in conducting choral ensembles. The program blends the practical experience of coached conducting experiences with individual lessons in score, study, gesture, rehearsal techniques, and repertoire knowledge.

Conducting, Instrumental (M.Mus.)
Credits: 30
Program Type: On Campus
Expand your knowledge, skill, and effectiveness in conducting instrumental ensembles. The program blends the practical experience of coached conducting experiences with individual lessons in score, study, gesture, rehearsal techniques, and repertoire knowledge.

Music Education (M.Mus.)
Credits: 31, without thesis; 34, with thesis
Program Type: Hybrid (Online & On Campus)
Designed for music educators currently teaching in a K-12 setting. Over the course of three years, you’ll participate in a two-week, on-campus residency and use your own classroom as a laboratory for advancing teaching and applying best practices.

Performance (M.Mus.)
Credits: 30
Program Type: On Campus
Find new professional opportunities as a performer or private teacher. Participate in Butler’s ensembles, teach through the Butler Community Arts School, and perform as solo or ensemble musicians.

Piano Pedagogy (M.Mus.)
Credits: 30
Program Type: On Campus
This nationally recognized program, known for its innovative curriculum, challenges you to become a teaching leader. Graduates are thriving studio musicians, owners of academies and multi-teacher organizations, successful doctoral degree candidates, and adjunct/full-time faculty.

Musicology (MA)
Credits: 30
Program Type: On Campus
Prepare yourself for doctoral studies in musicology or related fields. You can pursue this degree in combination with other Master of Arts in Music degrees at Butler. Throughout the program, you’re encouraged to take part in ensembles and applied lessons alongside your coursework. You will complete a substantial thesis under the supervision of music history faculty.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Credits: 38
Program Type:  On Campus
Be part of a self-paced, student-focused environment in which you’ll gain exposure to theory and practice. You’ll apply classroom lessons to real-life situations, while working with leadership coaches who will help you achieve personal and professional goals.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Credits: 38
Program Type:  Online
The Butler Online MBA merges theory and practice in a flexible, student-focused, and experiential learning environment that prepares you for leadership roles in the business world.

Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc)
Program Type: On Campus
Offered on two tracks: An accelerated four-year/dual-degree option and the traditional, fifth-year degree option. Both result in a Bachelor of Science in Business (for Butler students) and a Master of Professional Accounting degree, providing you with 150 credit hours required for CPA certification.

Master of Science in Risk and Insurance (MSRI)
Credits: 30
Program Type: Online
If you’re interested in entering the insurance field or are an early-phase professional in the industry, this program prepares you for advanced roles in corporate risk management. Our cohort-based program blends both traditional risk and insurance courses with foundational business courses as you’re primed for rapid advancement.