Purdue Polytechnic launched a new Doctorate of Technology distance-learning program tailored to actively employed, working professionals. The new graduate degree program is the first Doctorate of Technology degree offered completely online by a Tier 1 research university.

Purdue alumnus Isaiah Butler will graduate with a master’s degree in leadership, a program offered through Purdue Polytechnic’s Center for Professional Studies (ProSTAR). We talked with Butler about why he chose to get his undergraduate degree at Purdue and to come back for a weekend master’s degree program.

High-profile cases in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City this fall have provided lots of press coverage on the topic of police body cameras. The West Lafayette Police Department implemented the use of body cameras after its chief researched the technology as part of his master’s degree program.

"I did not just get a degree," Cheryl Files says, "but a wealth of knowledge and skills that I continue to use and reflect on in my current position." She earned her master's degree in technology (leadership) in May of this year.

Hard to believe, but it has finally arrived! The fall semester is beginning to ramp up, and it is truly exciting. I don’t ever tire of it. The campus is bustling with activity, the football team is practicing everyday now and I have even heard the deep bellowing sound of our own Purdue Boilermaker Special as it cruises around campus. It truly doesn’t get any better than this!

Kelly Orr (MS T’00) has spent a lifetime traveling around the world. She grew up in Connecticut, but she’s traveled in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, South America, and various corners of North America.

When Orr decided to earn a master’s degree, she enrolled in the Purdue College of Technology weekend master's program to study industrial distribution. At the time, she was the only female in the program.

ProSTAR will host webinars in April highlighting programs that will begin Fall 2013.

Webinar #1: Wednesday, April 3, 4:00 p.m. (EDT) – 100% Online Degrees

• Aviation Management
• Information Technology Project Management

Webinar #2: Monday, April 8, 5:00 p.m. (EDT) - Building Construction Management

Webinar #3: Wednesday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. (EDT) – Weekend Master’s Degrees

As I was walking this noon for lunch, the temperature was roughly 28 degrees with a brisk west to east wind. Even though I had my gloves on and my coat collar up, it didn’t seem as cold to me as the temperature might suggest. Perhaps it was the sun beating down or perhaps it was the budding of the tree I walked by, but in the end it felt like spring was right around the corner.

The Center for Professional Studies in Technology and Applied Research (ProSTAR) continues to expand its offering of master's degrees for working professionals. Seven programs are accepting applications for Fall 2013, including a new focus on biometrics.