The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is working to make the Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree a regular feature of U.S. graduate education by providing information, guidance, and “best practices” on how to develop new programs, curricula, and internship opportunities and by articulating the need for, and value of, the PSM to its membership and the community at large. Additionally, through its government relations division, CGS promotes the PSM to national leaders and policy makers who are working to ensure America’s competitive edge. Information about the initiative can be found at the following website:
www.sciencemasters.com
Background and Earlier Initiatives
The PSM initiative began in 1997 when a select number of research universities, with the support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, developed programs integrating science and mathematics studies with knowledge and training in management, law, or other professional arenas. In 2001, CGS began its promotion of the PSM by partnering with Sloan to extend this initiative to a number of master’s focused institutions and in January 2006, CGS assumed primary responsibility from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for supporting and promoting the PSM Initiative.
Ongoing Efforts
National leaders recognize that America’s competitiveness depends upon innovation, and the PSM is at the forefront of innovative programs in graduate education. The PSM is an exciting degree option for bachelor’s graduates in the sciences, mathematics, or engineering who choose not to pursue a Ph.D. but need additional training and skills to compete in today’s global market place.
Because its member institutions award over 94% of the doctorates and 80% of the master’s degrees in the U.S., CGS is well situated to facilitate the creation of new PSM programs, in addition to supporting existing programs. CGS draws on its extensive experience with promoting graduate programs and recruiting students to expand on current efforts and inaugurate new activities to extend this initiative to prepare graduates with the skills needed in non-academic employment sectors. Over 130 PSM programs at more than 70 universities have been established. In 2008 alone, there were more than 2,600 students enrolled in PSM programs with 530 degrees awarded annually.
The ultimate test of professional science master’s programs is employers’ willingness to hire graduates who are ideally suited for the integrator roles within industry that are key to keeping America competitive. To that end, CGS is developing and implementing, with the help of an Advisory Board, a comprehensive strategy of outreach to the non-academic community.
Additional information on the Professional Science Masters initiative is available at www.sciencemasters.com.
For a list of PSM and PMA Awardee institutions, please click here.