Center for Leadership in the Public and Nonprofit Sector. The Doctor of Professional Studies program requires at least 60 credits of coursework completed in two 15-week semesters over three academic years (plus two week-long Summer Residencies [2 credits each] within the three academic year enrollment). Our program will advance your professional practice by building on a foundation of critical thinking, social analysis, evidence-based practices, professional and social ethics, and organizational and leadership theory. We encourage you to create original knowledge for your profession through research and projects undertaken during the program.