Professional Science Master s St. Louis University Sally Francis Senior Scholar in Residence and Co-Director, Professional Master s Programs Council of Graduate Schools
Master s Education The PSM What? The PSM Why? PSM Affiliation How? Resources
Master s Education American success story Largest portion of graduate enterprise
Number of Degrees Growth in U.S. Degrees Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics
Professional Science Master s (PSM) - What is it? Prepares graduates for science careers in business, government, & non-profit sectors Combines technical competencies with professional workforce skills. Leadership development
Professional Science Master s Degree - Why? Odd gap in U.S. science graduate education Strength at BS & PhDs levels. But BA/BS insufficient for science career. MS has been entry to (or exit from) the PhD. But PhD too lengthy, with uncertain prospects. Attractiveness of PhD declining among domestic students < 20% of majors continue in science/math graduate programs
S&E Ph.D.s Conferred %U.S. Citizens** S&E PhDs by World Region 35,000 80% 30,000 25,000 U.S. Citizens 75% 70% 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 USA Germany & UK Asia* 1975 1976 1977 *Asia includes China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2000 2001 USA UK & Germany Asia % US Citizens 2002 2003 2004 2005 **Includes Permanent Residents. Source: National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators 2008, Appendix Tables 2-31 & 2-42. Updated January 2008. Analysis by the Council of Graduate Schools. 65% 60% 55% 50%
National Research Council Report Supports PSM NRC report recommended concerted action to accelerate the development nationally of PSM education including: Expand beyond the NSF Encourage states Philanthropic institutions should continue to play role. Professional and industry associations should include PSMs in higher education strategies. Higher education should support PSM development & seek employer partners. Employers should partner in creating PSM programs.
Why Establish PSM? New jobs will require graduate degree & will be in non-academic sector. PSM programs produce more women & domestic students than traditional master s programs. Master s graduates more likely to be employed in the state where they earned degree. Graduates contribute to workforce development.
As One Employer says: The winners in the 21st century economy will be those enterprises and individuals who can fuse invention and insight into innovations that bring new value to the world. Graduates who have gained knowledge of technology, business and the cultural sensitivities of working in a globally integrated world are those most likely to thrive. Nicholas M. Donofrio, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Technology (retired), IBM Corporation
And, more recently Technology alone is not enough. It s technology married with liberal arts, married with humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing. Steve Jobs Speech introducing ipad2 (March, 2011) as quoted in The Economist, 10/8/2011.
Multidisciplinary PSMs Financial Mathematics Broadcast Meteorology Oceans and Human Health Health Care Informatics Ergonomics and Safety Quantitative Fisheries Biotechology Forensic Science Biosecurity and Biodefense Agricultural Production Sustainability Science Imaging Science Physics for Entrepreneurship Bioinformatics
Sustainability Rutgers (New Brunswick, Camden, Newark) Sustainability Antioch University, New England Sustainable Development & Climate Change University of Idaho Sustainability Science
Variations in PSM Programs Designed for working professionals Cohort model Case studies Bundled program components (e.g. professional component) offered as a graduate certificate Focus on preparing entrepreneurs 3+2 Integrated professional component
Online Programs Illinois Institute of Technology (all 4 programs) University of Maryland, University College (all 7 programs) Baker College (1 program) Michigan State University (2 of 7 programs)
Number of PSM Programs Approved by Year *Number of PSM programs approved in 2011 through October 26, 2011.
Total PSM Programs by Year
Carnegie Classifications
PSM Program Locations Established in 31 States, the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, and the UK
System/Statewide Initiatives Arizona Cal. State U. Florida HBCU Mid-Atlantic U. Mass. MN State Coll. & U. CUNY U. Illinois SUNY UNC System Oregon PASSHE Rutgers U. North Texas Wash. St. U. System
PSM Students Want to work in: Non-academic sectors Interdisciplinary and team oriented environments Managerial or other professional level positions Emerging areas of science and scientific discovery Are: Seeking career growth & advancement in government, industry, and technology, Seeking a competitive edge in the job market, Re-entering the workforce by refining professional and technical skills
How is the PSM Different? More science (or mathematics) than MBA. More informatics/computation than science degree. More professional skills (business, law, communication) than PhD. Connections with potential employers. Project or team experience vs. thesis: real world experience.
How is the PSM Different? Curriculum developed in concert with employers and designed to dovetail into present and future career opportunities. Based on analysis of demand for graduates, including collection of information from potential employers.
Employers Why PSM? Many need PhDs, but not in large numbers Do want advanced science skills, PLUS Interdisciplinary teamwork, flexibility Project management Computational skills Communication ability Basic business skills Ethics
Examples of Employers of Alltel Wireless AstraZeneca Booz Allen Hamilton Centers for Disease Control and Prevention IBM Johnson & Johnson Eli Lilly & Company Santa Clara Crime Laboratory Steelcase, Inc. PSM Graduates National Cancer Institute Pfizer Qualcomm US Patent Office Verizon NOAA Microsoft Cleveland Clinic CDM Environmental Consulting
PSM Graduates Jobs Environmental scientist Software developer Microbiologist Lab manager Geophysicist Product engineer Quality compliance Manages Biostatistician Data modeling analyst Project manager Biologist Bioinformatics analyst Chemist Manufacturing technician
CGS PSM Data Collection (full reports at www.cgsnet.org) Funded by Sloan Foundation (2011-2012) Develop, pre-test, field, analyze data, and disseminate data from two surveys: PSM Enrollment and Degrees Survey PSM Student Outcomes Survey Project team: Nathan Bell and Jeff Allum
Data elements: PSM Enrollment and Degrees Survey Institution and program information Applications (total and accepted) First-time and total enrollment fall, 2010 By gender, citizenship, race/ethnicity, attendance status Degrees awarded 2009-10 By gender, citizenship and race/ethnicity
Enrollment & Degrees Sample: All 235 CGS-recognized PSM programs Limitations Some data were necessarily suppressed One institution has several large programs Only CGS-recognized PSM programs were included Launched in April, closed in May 2011 89% response rate (n=209)
Total Enrollment Demographics 4,753 total PSM enrollment 1,471 first-time enrollment 49% women 64% part-time Enrollees in U.S.-based programs 13% international 29% underrepresented minorities 84% public institutions 73% comp sci, biotech, envir sci
Applications and Degrees 4,396 applications; 2,134 accepted 1,102 degrees awarded (2009-10) 80% from public institutions 26% to underrepresented minorities Biology/biotechnology largest field of study
PSM Student Outcomes Survey 2010-11 PSM graduates Core data elements: PSM program and institution Graduation date Employment status, sector of employment, job title, primary work activity Salary range (and progression if possible) Satisfaction with PSM degree Relationship of PSM and internship to job
Operational Limitations Lack of contact information Lack of relationship with the graduates Some program directors unwilling to help One institution with very large programs Can t estimate response rate because don t know how many graduates were contacted (N=223 useable responses)
Student Outcomes Results Most frequent reason for enrolling: Impart scientific/technical skills/training Fulfill personal interest Increase opportunity for advancement/pay 82% working, 5% students, 1% not looking Of those working, 88% in preferred field Program satisfaction ratings are high (3.12-2.92); value ratings are higher (3.00-3.24)
PSM Student Outcomes Survey
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 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. Positive graduate outcomes!
PSM Why? Employers Views Many need PhDs, but not in large numbers PLUS Interdisciplinary teamwork, flexibility Project management Computational skills Communication ability Basic business skills Ethics Legal and regulatory issues
Guidelines for Recognition 1. Regional Accreditation 2. Program Goals & Student Learning Outcomes 3. Minimum credits 4. Curriculum Disciplinary content Professional Skills Experiential Component 5. Quality Assurance Mechanism
Guidelines for Recognition, Cont d 6. Advisory Board 7. Program Quality Assurance Program Approval by University Ongoing Program Review 8. Collection of Annual Data
Win, Win, Win Student alternative to PhD for staying in science. University - address student interests and help meet community workforce needs. Employers access to a technically trained cadre of professional scientists.
Professional Science Master s A Council of Graduate Schools Guide to Establishing Programs
Contact the CGS PSM Project Team Sally Francis, Senior Scholar in Residence & Project Co-Director sfrancis@cgs.nche.edu Carol B. Lynch, Senior Scholar in Residence & Project Co-Director clynch@cgs.nche.edu Leontyne Goodwin, Program Manager lgoodwin@cgs.nche.edu Josh Mahler, Program & Operations Associate jmahler@cgs.nche.edu www.sciencemasters.com and www.cgsnet.org