Professional Science Master

1
Professional Science Masters Degree Background
and Overview

• Institutional Perspective
• Revised 11/12/10
• Council of Graduate Schools
• www.sciencemasters.com

2
Professional Science Masters (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!

3
PSM Programs

• Emphasize the written and verbal communication
  skills, leadership, and team-building 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.

4
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

5
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.

6
Professional Science Masters 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
  masters.

7
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.

8
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.

9
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.

10
Why Consider Establishing PSM Programs

• The bulk of new jobs being created are in the
  non-academic sector.
• PSM programs are more popular with women and
  domestic students than traditional masters
  programs in Natural Sciences.
• Masters 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.

11
Guidelines for PSM Development

• Total credits equivalent to a standard masters
  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.

12
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
  masters programs.
• The Report language states, The Committee
  recognizes the importance of masters 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

13
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
  masters as part of RE-ENERGYZE.
• Dept. of Labor through regional agencies.
• NOAA interested in providing internships.
• Be creative in looking for funding sources!

14
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.

15
National Research Council Report Supports PSM
(cont)

• 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.

16
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.

17
For further information Contact the CGS PSM
Project Staff

• Carol B. Lynch, Senior Scholar in Residence and
  Project Director
• (clynch_at_cgs.nche.edu)
• Eleanor Babco, CGS Consultant and Associate
  Program Director, Professional Master's
  Initiatives
• (ebabco_at_cgs.nche.edu)
• Sally Francis, Co-Director, Professional Science
  Master's Project
• (sfrancis_at_cgs.nche.edu)
• Leontyne Goodwin, Program Manager
• (lgoodwin_at_cgs.nche.edu)
• Josh Mahler, Program and Operations Associate
• (jmahler_at_cgs.nche.edu)