Transcript Slide 1
Professional Science Master’s
Degree: Background and
Overview
Institutional Perspective
Revised – 11/12/10
Council of Graduate Schools
www.sciencemasters.com
Professional Science
Master’s (PSM) Degree
An innovative degree that:
Prepares graduates for science careers in
business, government, or non-profit sectors.
Combines rigorous study in science or
mathematics with workforce skills-based
coursework in business, management, policy,
communications, law, or other fields - “Science
Plus!”
PSM Programs…
Emphasize the written and verbal
communication skills, leadership, and teambuilding required in professional settings.
Include project or team experience vs. thesis:
real world experience.
Provide connections to potential employers
through internships.
Often include cross disciplinary courses.
Program Examples
PSM programs are interdisciplinary in fields such as:
Biotechnology
Forensic Science
Financial Mathematics
Nanoscience
Environmental Science
Biosecurity
Bioinformatics
Analytical Chemistry
Applied Systematics
Science
Entrepreneurship
Genetic Counseling
Connections with Industry
With input from advisory committees of local
and regional employers, curricula are designed to
be responsive to workforce needs.
Unusually nimble in adjusting to shifting
workforce demands and to rapidly changing
research strategies and technologies.
Professional Science Master’s
Degree - Why?
Prepares students for careers in less time than a
Ph.D.
Retains students in science who might not be
interested in going on to the Ph.D.
Offers more science and math than a MBA and
more professional skills than a Ph.D. or
traditional master’s.
Who are the Students
The PSM is for students who:
Want to work in business, government, or
nonprofit sectors.
Seek interdisciplinary careers.
Thrive in team-oriented environments.
Seek career advancement.
Desire to work in emerging areas of science and
scientific discovery.
Major PSM Initiatives
California State University System – over 20 programs, with
more under development. Received NSF/SMP Funding.
North Carolina – 13 programs, with more under development.
Received NSF/SMP Funding.
University of North Texas – 3 PSM programs were developed
at the flagship campus at Denton.
University of Illinois – 3 PSM programs at Urbana-Champaign
with more planned.
Major PSM Initiatives
SUNY – 12 PSM programs on 6 campuses (3 in existence from
first Sloan grants), with 23 planned; 16 campuses involved.
Rutgers, the State U. of New Jersey – 6 PSM programs with 8
under development (received NSF SMP award).
University of Massachusetts – 14 PSM – many collaborative –
on four of the five campuses in the UMass system, Boston,
Dartmouth, Lowell and Amherst.
Florida - 11 PSM programs; planning nearly 20 additional
programs as part of regional economic development.
Why Consider Establishing
PSM Programs
The bulk of new jobs being created are in the nonacademic sector.
PSM programs are more popular with women and
domestic students than traditional master’s programs in
Natural Sciences.
Master’s graduates are more likely to be employed in
the state in which they earned a degree compared to
Ph.D. graduates.
Graduates contribute to workforce development
through their ability to manage and grow science &
technology based industries.
Guidelines for PSM
Development
Total credits equivalent to a standard master’s degree.
Majority of program course work in graduate-level
science and/or mathematics courses.
Professional skills component developed in
consultation with prospective employers.
Professional skills are usually enhanced by internships
and problem-based projects sponsored by employers.
Employer advisory board engaged.
Formal recognition granted by CGS.
PSM – American Competes Act
Reauthorization
As part of NSF authorization, has as an allowable use
of funds, “creation, improvement or expansion of
innovative graduate programs such as science master’s
programs.”
The Report language states, “ The Committee
recognizes the importance of master’s programs to
prepare future science professionals for careers in the
business, government and non-profit sectors and
intends that proposals to implement or expand
innovative professional science master's programs
remain eligible for funding …”
Other agencies with interest:
Dept. of Education – FIPSE had invitational priority
for PSMs and has funded others as well.
Dept. of Homeland Security – working with CGS to
interest DHS Centers of Excellence to develop PSMs.
Dept. of Energy – submitted request for PSM-type
master’s as part of “RE-ENERGYZE”.
Dept. of Labor – through regional agencies.
NOAA – interested in providing internships.
Be creative in looking for funding sources!
National Research Council
Report Supports PSM
NRC report recommends “concerted action to
accelerate the development nationally of ” PSM
education including:
Expand beyond the NSF to other federal
science agencies.
Encourage states to endorse PSMs.
Philanthropic institutions should continue to
play role in creating and sustaining PSMs.
National Research Council
Report Supports PSM (con’t)
Professional and industry associations should
include PSMs in their higher education
strategies.
Higher education should support development
of PSMs and seek employer partners.
Employers should partner with higher ed
institutions to create and sustain PSM programs.
Summary
Win, Win, Win
Win for the student – alternative way to remain
in science without getting a PhD.
Win for the university - provide students with
another career option and help solve community
workforce needs.
Win for the employers – local, regional, state –
have a technically trained cadre of workers.
For further information: Contact
the CGS PSM Project Staff
Carol B. Lynch, Senior Scholar in Residence and Project Director
([email protected])
Eleanor Babco, CGS Consultant and Associate Program Director, Professional
Master's Initiatives
([email protected])
Sally Francis, Co-Director, Professional Science Master's Project
([email protected])
Leontyne Goodwin, Program Manager
([email protected])
Josh Mahler, Program and Operations Associate
([email protected])