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Professional Science Master’s Degree: Background and Overview

Professional Science Master’s Degree: Background and Overview. Employer Perspective Council of Graduate Schools www.sciencemasters.com. Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree. An innovative degree that:

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Professional Science Master’s Degree: Background and Overview

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  1. Professional Science Master’s Degree: Background and Overview Employer Perspective Council of Graduate Schools www.sciencemasters.com

  2. 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 employer-oriented coursework in business, management, policy, communications, law, or other fields - “Science Plus!”

  3. Why the PSM? • Employers want personnel with advanced science skills but not necessarily a PhD. • PLUS, PSMs provide unique skills that employers need: • Interdisciplinary teamwork, flexibility, and leadership • Project management • Computational skills • Communication ability • Basic business skills • Ethics • Legal and Regulatory issues

  4. How is the PSM Different? • Emphasizes the written and verbal communication skills, leadership, and team-building required in professional settings. • More science (and math) than MBA; more professional skills than a traditional science master’s degree. • Includes project or team experience vs. thesis: real world experience. • Provides connections to potential employers through internships and employer/industry advisory boards.

  5. Biotechnology Forensic Science Financial Mathematics Nanoscience Environmental Science Biosecurity Bioinformatics Analytical Chemistry Applied Systematics Science Entrepreneurship Genetic Counseling Bioenergy Program Examples PSM programs are interdisciplinary in fields such as:

  6. PSM students: • Seek interdisciplinary careers. • Thrive in team-oriented environments. • Seek career advancement. • Desire to work in emerging areas of science and scientific discovery. • Find excitement in bringing scientific discovery to commercial reality.

  7. What Can PSMs Provide • Productive employees on day one. • Cross-disciplinary education • Science, Math, Computation, and Business • Project Management • Team Building. • Flexibility to changing industry demands. • Career advancement for existing workforce. • Technically trained cadre of workers for local and regional industry.

  8. Who are the Students • About half are women. • More than two-thirds are U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents. • About 10% are underrepresented minorities (African American, Hispanics, Native Americans). • Increasingly include working professionals.

  9. Connections with Industry • Unusually nimble in adjusting to shifting workforce demands and to rapidly changing research strategies and technologies. • With input from advisory committees of local and regional employers, curricula are designed to be responsive to workforce needs.

  10. PSM Statistics The first PSM program launched in 1999. Currently there are: • ~130 PSM programs • 65+ institutions with PSM programs • Programs in 25 states plus the District of Columbia • ~2,700 graduates as of 2007

  11. Where are the PSM programs?

  12. National Academies Report Supports PSM A National Academies report recommends “concerted action to accelerate the development nationally” of PSM education among all stakeholders. Recommendations geared toward employers include: • Higher education should support development of PSMs and seek employer partners. • Employers should partner with higher education institutions to create and sustain PSM programs.

  13. Why Consider Supporting PSM Programs • Industry has the opportunity to shape curriculum to meet specific and immediate workforce needs. • Graduates contribute to workforce development through their ability to manage and grow science and technology based industries. • Vital for U.S. competitiveness.

  14. How Can Employers Help PSM Programs? • Serve as Advisory Board Members. • Help in curriculum development. • Serve as Guest Lecturers, Adjunct Faculty. • Provide feedback for continually improving PSM programs. • Become champions re. regional economic development.

  15. How Can Employers HelpPSM Students? • Mentor PSM students. • Provide Internships and Subsequent Jobs. • Provide Financial Support, e.g. scholarships and/or tuition reimbursement for employees.

  16. For further information: Contact the CGS PSM Project Staff • Carol B. Lynch, Senior Scholar in Residence and Project Director (clynch@cgs.nche.edu) • Eleanor Babco, Senior Consultant and Co-Project Director (ebabco@cgs.nche.edu) • Nancy Vincent, Program Manager, Best Practices (nvincent@cgs.nche.edu) • Josh Mahler, Program and Operations Assistant (jmahler@cgs.nche.edu) www.sciencemasters.com and www.cgsnet.org

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